hey CD, as aloha said, that spot and other north shore overlooks are very approachable in the summer after/before our winter surf season. Sadly, that is exactly where the two san francisco friends perished, making a bad decision. The whole aftermath has been spoken about by all of us and it is just tragic. The SF paper highlighted some wonderful insights about their humanity and friendship. If you notice in a couple of the photos,there is a nice little waterfall and ponds where we catch opae shrimp in the summer, play in the brackish pond and jump off the rocks into the ocean. As stated above, the ocean right outside the outcropping is deep so winter swells don't break way out and allow someone to see the white water coming and perhaps avoiding; instead, it breaks right on the rocks even when huge. I've sat up many times by the home to watch, a good 100' above .......YET summer trade wind swells can be dangerous at specific spots. ex: Queens bath in the morning, warm water and perfect for families to hang out. Been going there since kids day. IF the trade winds are up producing short period swell, an occasional large wave can surprise anyone sitting too comfortable close. It happens. Go to Hanalei bay, Anini,...places where there are life guards or at least other local families hanging out. For sure ask your hotel concierge or anyone about places to go and to avoid. Different set of cautions during winter.
I can show you Waikoko's, the west end of Hanalei bay where, if a sunny winter day, families can safely hang out away from even giant surf. I've said before too, Lumahai by the river is awesome IF IF IF you stay far away from the shoreline and just cruise by the river bank. Go see for yourself; plenty of local and guest families hanging out. I'll dig in my photo library for a winter picture showing the power.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=bV6a3t6BXAA
vid of fisherman walking to the spot...notice; decent size swell, he choses to avoid. Imagine a swell 5 times larger covering the whole shelf up to the waterfall....

Thanks all, we'll be landing at sunset tomorrow.

The changing seasonal conditions at Queen's Bath

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kbEXXVPClWM

and still, even in the summer, the people lounging with their backs to the ocean is mighty risky if you don't know how to read surf charts and ocean and wind conditions hundreds of miles out.

No. 5 for the year...

http://thegardenisland.com/news/loca...a4bcf887a.html

Very sad!

It's a shame when this happens - and fortunately - millions of tourists visit Hawaii each year without getting into trouble.

Admire Kauai as they have really stepped up their efforts to educate/make people aware of possible problems when going near the ocean.

Usually - during calm conditions - the ocean is generally safe (absent rip tides, etc) - but still - people need to double check on local conditions, especially on the North Shores during the winter/big surf time.

Agree!
Admire Kauai as they have really stepped up their efforts to educate/make people aware of possible problems when going near the ocean.

I almost posted yesterday about Monday's drowning. 2 deaths in 2 days :(

Wow, what a great thread. Thx to the OP and PPs for all the insights and discussion. I'm not the bravado type who would foolishly cast caution aside but I can see how being somewhat ignorant could really result in tragedy while on vacation.

I appreciate the links provided and will be sure to check out the daily tide/weather warnings while in Hawaii - I've bookmarked them!

Enjoy-la!

#6

I was actually looking at the hanalei webcam late last night EST and wondered what was up with jetski.

http://thegardenisland.com/news/loca...a4bcf887a.html

I found this to be poignant.

http://thegardenisland.com/news/loca...9bb2963f4.html


Surfing soul

In the late 1960s and early 1970s, the waves and Kaua‘i’s beautiful backdrops brought many of us from around the globe to settle in Hanalei. Rick Proczka was affectionately nicknamed Waimea Rick. We all had nicknames that reflected who we were. Rick loved to charge. He would be out in tiny spring and fall waves while charging at first light and or at last light in some of the most treacherous conditions imaginable. Rick would either ride or give the best wave of a set to a friend, with the same smile, regardless.

When Rick was living at Pine Trees, he baited me to paddle out in waves that were far beyond my physical and mental abilities. Or so I thought. Yet, he inspired me on this particular new years eve to push the limits. There were just a few of us out and he encouraged me to take off and ride what is still, to this day the most memorable wave I have ever ridden at Hanalei. One that I will never forget. Thanks to Rick!

Another time when the eye of Hurricane Iwa had settled over Hanalei, he and I were tempted to paddle out for a brief surf. The air was steamy hot, the waves were perfect and the conditions were most amazing. I noticed there were no birds.. he noticed the winds were starting to blow from a different direction, and his judgment steered us clear of that go out. Within 10 minutes, Iwa’s north winds imploded houses and blew roofs to the ground. We both shared dreams of what that potential go out would have been like. Even for just a moment or two. Rick was always an eternal optimist.

Of late Rick stopped by our house with a deeper optimism. He had a Jehovah Witness glisten in his eye. Adding to the quiet gleam he had on days when we would score Rifle Range or Poko Moi with no one out. Days before leashes. Days before surf reports. Days when we had to seek and find the perfect wave. He knew the calm. He knew the Grace. He knew a Secret. And he always tried to share it with an open heart. He knew what these moments on earth were all about. I only wish I had one more moment to share with him. However his passing on Saturday Feb. 9, while surfing deep Hanalei in some of the most treacherous and yet rewarding winter waves brought him closer to where he belonged. Forever. I will miss the quiet laughter in his voice.

Andy Melamed

Hanalei

For those who continually test Mother Nature - some will lose.

Do I have this right? Richard was 64? Holy cow.
Who of that age belongs out in the big surf - where your chances of survival depend on your reflexes and sometimes, youthful stamina.

Tom. You are such a jerk.

[-X Weke, Weke, Weke...I'm sure what you meant to say was "Ye are such an olde jerk, <i>Sir</i>".

Be a bit more respectful to your elders that obviously know and accept their own limitations and transfer them to others of their age that don't.

...uno mas....my local buddy is 64 and he surfs 2, 3x a week with his other "OFs".

There is a difference between suring and going out in huge surf. Big difference.

If he's been surfing all is life, no there isn't. It's in the blood.
Will you now tell us stories of you surfing with Duke Kahanamoku back in the 30s? ;;)

Garden variety jerk works for me.
My husband is 66. He runs 6 miles a day and swims 45 minutes every day. Tom, how old are you and other than flapping your lips what sort of exercise do you get? Please don't spin another of your yarns to mask your jerkiness.

UNA mas, I don't know why people don't check on surf/water conditions especially when they are new to an area. And they should always go to guarded beaches, no matter how experienced a surfer, waterman, or swimmer you are - you are no match for mother nature.

To say surfers/swimmers in an beach area they have been using for years, an area they know well, is quite different from a tourist who is not familiar with the breaks, conditions.