This week, former Ocean Safety Lieutenant Bill Ingram joins host Brandi Higa on the One O‘ahu Podcast to talk about retiring from the Honolulu Ocean Safety Department (HOSD) after nearly 46 years on the job. He shares his secret to passing the challenging HOSD physical exam every year and his advice for the next generation of lifeguards.
46 years on the job
After an incredible 46 years of service as a City and County of Honolulu lifeguard, Lieutenant Bill Ingram — a beloved figure in the Honolulu Ocean Safety Department who is known for the warmth he shared with his fellow lifeguards and the beachgoers he calls family — has officially retired.
“I really fell into the perfect job, the job I always wanted,” said Ingram. “I work with people who are so solid in the water. It’s breathtaking to think about all the things they can do and that we all work together to make it safe for the people of Hawai‘i.”
As a lifeguard, Ingram has patrolled beaches and shorelines across Oʻahu for decades, keeping countless residents and visitors safe from harm — so long, in fact, that City leaders believe Ingram might be the longest-tenured Ocean Safety lifeguard in history!
Let’s get physical
Serving as a lifeguard on Oʻahu is no easy task; lifeguards must pass the department’s rigorous annual physical every year, proving that they can still swim, run and paddle well enough to meet the demands of the job. For Ingram, who turns 75 this summer, that has meant passing the test well into his 70s — keeping pace with lifeguards more than half his age.
“I can’t sit still, that’s probably always helped” joked Ingram when asked how he was able to stay in such incredible shape for years. “I’m a really athletic guy. I excelled in three different sports.”
Ingram competed in triathlons for nearly two decades and completed 13 marathons. He plans to stay active during retirement by walking, swimming, biking, and hiking.
Words of wisdom
On Ingram’s final day on the job, Mayor Blangiardi joined friends and co-workers for a celebration of his service to the City and his commitment to our communities, sending him off with heartfelt well-wishes. We asked him what his advice was for the next generation of lifeguards.
“You need to treat people how you would like to be treated,” replied Ingram.
Though he will be missed on the beach, his impact on the Ocean Safety community will be felt for years to come — mahalo for everything, Lieutenant Ingram!
