LIHUE — When applying for jobs in the visitor industry, coaching and management, lifeguarding and water safety certification is key, said Mokihana Aquatics head coach Orlando “O” Anaya.

“One hundred times out of one hundred, the person who has the certification will get the job over someone who doesn’t have it,” Anaya said. “Waimea High School didn’t have a swim program this year, and Kapaa High School had to send their coach to Oahu for certification to qualify being a coach.”

Anaya said on Kauai, the water safety officials — including himself as a former lifeguard — are qualified to instruct these classes but to find a class can be difficult.

Because of this demand, Mokihana Aquatics will be opening up its annual training for certification to the public.

Deadline is March 9 for the class which will run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on March 19 through March 23 at the Kauai High School pool. The early deadline is to insure that applicants have sufficient time to complete the prerequisite skills test and meet requirements for the class.

“Mokihana Aquatics have done this annual certification in lifeguarding and water safety instructor in conjunction with our Learn to Swim program,” Anaya said.

Candidates for certification must attend all classes and complete all skill sessions and written tests satisfactorily to earn the certification.

The typical lifeguarding and water safety instructor class is about 40 hours on Oahu, Anaya said.

“But it is spread out over three to four weeks which means candidates must spend that amount of time on Oahu — away from their job,” he said.

Glenn Pang, a Red Cross-certified water safety instructor from Oahu, will be leading this class.

“There is a cost associated with this,” Anaya said. “Typically, a Water Safety and Lifeguarding certification runs between $300 to $500, not counting the costs of living off-island for a few weeks and the airfare associated with getting there. We are cognizant of that. We are trying to keep the costs down, but we do have to get Glenn over here. The more people that show up means we are able to reduce the costs for everyone.”

To register, call Anaya, 821-0587.