HONOLULU — Kauai resident Branch Lotspeich became the Hawaii House of Representatives’ first honoree of the 2024 General Session together with The Rescue Tube Foundation which Lotspeich founded.

What You Need To Know

  • Branch Lotspeich, a former lifeguard and current acting executive director of The Rescue Tube Foundation, has played a pivotal role in the creation of Public Access Rescue Tubes and stations

  • Each 52-inch-long bright yellow rescue flotation device can hold up to three people for multiple hours out on the water

  • The Rescue Tube Foundation has distributed over 600 stations across Hawaii beaches, the U.S. Mainland and internationally

Last Wednesday, the man and the organization were lauded for their life-saving efforts in reducing drowning-related deaths on Hawaii’s beaches as members of the Kauai delegation delivered remarks and presented Lotspeich with a certificate and lei.

Lotspeich, a former lifeguard and current acting executive director of The Rescue Tube Foundation, has played a pivotal role in the creation of Public Access Rescue Tubes and stations that have saved nearly 200 lives and prevented an estimated 30 drownings, according to a news release.

Each 52-inch-long bright yellow rescue flotation device can hold up to three people for multiple hours out on the water. User-friendly with picture descriptions, each device is numbered to ensure quick identification of the response location during emergencies.

“Branch Lotspeich’s vision to create rescue tubes and distribute them globally has significantly reduced drowning deaths and averted tragedies. His actions exemplify those of a hero in our community,” stated Majority Leader Nadine K. Nakamura in the release.

Over 14 years ago, the first rescue tubes were installed with the Rotary Club of Hanalei Bay. Since then, The Rescue Tube Foundation has distributed over 600 stations across Hawaii beaches, the U.S. Mainland and internationally as well.

“Branch Lotspeich leads by example and is directly involved in the assembly and creation of the rescue tube stations at the foundation’s shop in Kilauea,” said Representative Luke A. Evslin.

"The rescue tubes are designed to be user-friendly and are numbered so that first responders can locate exactly where the distressed caller is. This feature is in collaboration with Dr. Monty Downs of the Kauai Water Safety Task Force and IT Kauai to create a database of Global Positioning System locations of the Rescue Tubes,” said Evslin.

A partnership in Jan. 2024 between the City and County of Honolulu, Hawaii Kai Lions Club, Rotary Club of Honolulu and Lotspeich placed 20 rescue tubes along 20 miles of Oahu’s southern and windward shoreline from Kawaikui Beach Park in Aina Haina to Kailua Beach Park. A 20-year-old-male in distress at China Walls was rescued using a rescue tube.

“This is one of many instances where the rescue tubes have saved endangered swimmers. We encourage more communities to be proactive and place Public Access Floatation Devices on their beaches and waterways,” said Representative Dee Morikawa. “If it prevents even a single drowning, the effort is undeniably worth it.”

Sarah Yamanaka covers news and events for Spectrum News Hawaii. She can be reached at sarah.yamanaka@charter.com.