"...While we were at Haena last week..."
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Cd, I have no idea. There was a "beach closed" sign in the sand. Kauaistyle and Kal note similar experiences so it must be a common procedure.

complicated in all regards. good forum dialogue regardless. stirs it up for the better understanding. Before social media, face to face sharing of insights lessoned how strong wording may poke or offend. As well as directly helping folks new to this lush place.These forums are wide open to properly interject and pick apart from different opinion/experience points. Not my personal intentions to roust. been called plenty of things from afar in response over the years in multiple forums and publications. opposing views are welcome. On the ground reality is more tangible. We all seem to agree that the concern should remain so noone else dies. Yup, locals have perished as well and equally horrific for their families. My "biz" has always been in concert with everyone else embracing kokua and kahiau, meaning, being of gracious service and generosity. not being hired or showcasing for compensation. plenty of great guests find me from appropriate word of mouth. Thats how
This is the final day of searching for the second person. Air 1 has been flying low since sunrise hoping to bring some peace to the family. We walked the cliff line in hopes of something. Still stormy yet smaller surf today. Tomorrow, another round of giant surf forecast to hit all north and west shore of all Hawaiian islands.

ww,
And the only tan line I have is from my watch. ;;)

http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/articl...ds-4211981.php

this article puts some humanity into the horrible lose although makes it even more sad to know them a bit....

The lifeguards cannot stop people from entering the water, even if the beach is closd. the guards are there are there to try and prevent people from going into the water, or saving them if they go in despite signs and verbal warnings.

The victims shouldn't be judged. It's not always stupidity or disregard. I thnk it's more likely that these tourists went to look at the waterfall in the region, approaching the coast from a path behind the waterfall (i.e. relative safety). From here they may even have followed routine safety advice "watch the ocean for 20 minutes" (which is an over simplification), and then decided to go out on the lower rock shelves.

Tourists to Kauai have to be taught that the surf report is a pre-requisite for visiting the ocean. That's the only way to know what the ocean is capable of, versus what's being observed. Most don't know this. I believe rogue waves are very rare - they're confused with a predicted change in ocean conditions.

The warnings from radio/tv etc are not constant and all pervasive, they only appear that way to locals because so much of life revolves around the ocean and they're tuned in. The majority of beaches don't have warnings. I'm happy to see there's a new initiative to place informational signs.

Don't assume that "expert" advice is correct or safe - whether from a local, guide book, or even surf instructor. You have to add your own judgement and take responsibility for your safety (and that of your family). I've seen surf instructors place their students in dangerous situations because they don't appreciate how foreign an environment the ocean is to people who aren't accustomed.

I use to view the ocean as "Mother Nature". She had so much to teach and brought joy to my life. Then one day she nearly killed me and I stopped personifying her although the love was still there.

Nearly everyone who spends a significant amount of time in and around the ocean has a story - a lapse in judgement, an error compounded, a desire too strong.

great post!

"the national parks didn't ban the books from their giftshops many years ago, because they were promoting trespassing to hidden gems. They banned them because they were suggesting dangerous behavior and tourists were dying."

That's nonsense. There was simply hate for the books. And only one was removed from shelves, mostly due to uproar over roads getting more traffic.
http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/ar.../ln/ln01a.html

hgjames...well said!!!

It seems those that are the least familiar with the ocean are the ones that have the least understanding of the dangers.

One should never go to a beach they are unfamiliar with unless it was guarded.

I've read of posters telling other posters that certain unguarded beaches are fine (because they've been there and didn't have problems). Terrible advice.

<<it was guarded.>>

sorry ... is guarded.

Thanks to another poster sharing a celebration of amazing photos

http://twistedsifter.com/2012/01/pic...-kauai-hawaii/

A fabulous photo! but I noted the tongue-in-cheek instructions on how to get the photo at the bottom of the page. There are some pretty zealous camera hounds out there, and I wouldn't put it past them (even some people I know) to try and duplicate (or one-up) this shot!

love the photo...thats by Kahili Bay known as Rock Quarry beach,down the back road off Kilauea RD where we surf,,,lava pool around the bend toward lighthouse...heres a random internet grab from someones blog showing the Ka Puka moi/Waikaama pools where the guests drown...
http://kauaipie.blogspot.com/2008/06...ava-pools.html

Pretty, but not worth dying for.

kauaistyle, this blogspot looks so tranquil. Is this really where people have drowned?

cd, you have to imagine it in the winter with 30' surf in the background. Or even in the summer with one bigger than usual wave coming over the rocks and leaving people with nowhere to go. In spots where there is no reef , the power of the whole Pacific is breaking right there on the beach.

Wow, it just scares me because we will be there tomorrow and I don't want to go anyplace that is dangerous!

Don't be afraid cd. You now know to use due caution. If the surf is kicking up, you know to stay back and enjoy it from a safe distance. You know not to go rock climbing when the surf is crashing. The one place I would not visit in the winter is Queen's Bath.

Have a wonderful trip. Hopefully you will have some refreshing light showers and returning sunshine, beautiful sunrises and sunsets and some lovely swims in calm waters. If the surf is up, Hanalei Bay usually sections off a well guarded area. You are going to have a wonderful trip!