We who live on Kaua`i know how dangerous our ocean can be -- yet visitors continue to risk life and limb by their foolish actions.

Sadly, we lost another visitor to a rip current over the weekend:
http://starbulletin.com/2007/06/26/news/story03.html

Avoidable? Absolutely! Swim only at life-guarded beaches!

auntie - that's heartbreaking! Is there a website that posts daily conditions at beaches and tells people what areas to avoid? Also, is there a list of beaches that have guards?

We'll be there in November so I know we have the potential for rough water, especially up north.

Thanks!

What a sad, sad story. Dr Ancharski is very brave. Thanks for posting the story, Auntie.

Mahalo auntie,

Sadly Kauai seems to be one of the most dangerous island destinations regarding ocean safety. As a young pup I had no idea just how erratic conditions can be. Too many people visit you home in particular completely unaware regardless of the signs and warnings. Thanks for your diligence in teaching respect of the dangers.

Now did someone buy that surfer rescuer a new surfboard that was damaged in a rescue earlier this week. I'd gladly send him a few $. There are many heros on this Garden Isle.

Jrchapma, here is one site that has been recommended on this board www.survivingparadisehawaii.com/

If you are using the Hawai'i Revealed guidebooks, be aware that the authors recommend a lot of spots that can be very unsafe, and don't do a good job of noting the potential dangers.

check out www.hawaiibeachsafety.org for current conditions on the various islands.

There are many heroes on Kauai, including Ancharski, who also got caught in the current and had to be pulled out by firefighters.

I heard the spot was one of the those "hidden" gems in the guidebooks. I wish people would use more caution when entering the ocean - you never know where the rip currents are. And if risking their own lives is not bad enough, think about the bystanders and firefighters who are also endangered when they attempt a rescue.

Once on Oahu's north shore, we were watching the big waves during a time when the ocean was "closed" for safety. A surfer was complaining that the lifeguards should just let the surfers take the risk if they wanted to, because it's only themselves they're hurting. But I thought that wasn't true - if anyone was in trouble, the lifeguards would feel compelled to attempt a rescue, even if the surfer "waived" any help. I don't believe they guards would jsut stand around and watch someone drown.

Other recent heroes on Kauai are 17-year-old Jon Gibb and Jonah Aki, who risked their own lives trying to save distressed swimmers.

The ocean - so dangerous.

Larsen's Beach has channels in the reef where the currents can be very strong. It is a dangerous place as one can get sucked out into the open ocean if one gets too close to the channels. Kaua'i is not a theme park.

This article talks about bad advice from certain guidebooks in connection with this drowning....

http://www.kauaiworld.com/articles/2...ews/news02.txt

Informative website

http://www.survivingparadisehawaii.com/

How sad. Is even Anini Beach not safe? I was hoping to go there next March with my husband and son, who is 10.

I just found this site tonight. Click on the 'beaches' picture to get more information about beach and surf conditions. There are also helpful comments from people who are familiar with the beach.

http://www.kauaiexplorer.com/

Mahalo, auntie.

MarthaB

The ocean is a fun and dangerous place. You are smart to educate yourself, and for that reason will have a wonderful time. Conditions in the middle of the Pacific are erratic. Educating yourself on looking at the ocean and talking to locals and you should be fine.

Caution and respect are the key words regarding the ocean. Many take foolish risks. I am glad you won't be one of them.

Happy planning!
'lani

hey eddie would go - but never turn your back on the ocean!

It's interesting that you would choose to use the late Eddie Aikau as an example -- he disappeared in the ocean, paddling his surfboard from the sailing vessel "Hokule`a", to the island of Lana`i.

That one time, even Eddie failed to recognize the dangers of Hawaii's ocean waters...

We will be in Oahu in January - are there safe beaches for families to swim in? I know January is the month where many of the waves are higher, especially at the North Shore. We want to be safe but have fun.

yes, auntiemaria- my point was even the most expert swimmer/lifeguard is no match for the ocean. i hope it was appropriate if not i apolpogize.

amdc, I think the tried and true advice is to swim where there are lifeguards. Here is one link to info about guarded beaches on O'ahu www.aloha.com/~lifeguards/index.html Some of the other links that have already been posted in this thread probably have similar info. I think Ala Moana and Waikiki are good bets to be calm most of the time.

We were in Kauai when this happened. We were at a beach one day, that was an inlet. Many people were going in on Kayaks and going around some cave. It was said that the current has swept people into the cave. Never heard of again. Yes the ocean is to be respected at all times. I would swim only where there were lifeguards. It is a beautiful island. It is exactly how I pictured Hawaii. I find the other islands to be built up. More like Southern Calif. This island was great.