Site claimed latest drowning victim
despite warning signs
During summer, a protected, pond-like area forms at a portion of southern Polihale State Park. Shielded by a reef, the saltwater pool gets about waist-deep, and is an excellent place for families with children.
The smaller, summer ocean swells gently recycle the water, and the tradition of Hawaiian royalty journeying to the area during the hot months of the year gives rise to the local name for the beach: Queen’s Pond.
In winter, when north and west swells pound those shores, sand migrates from the beaches and the wave action creates swift currents that turn beaches west and north treacherous — and, all too often, deadly.
The difference between conditions in summer and winter months is, literally, the difference between life and death in many cases. From 1970 to 2000, there have been 205 drownings around Kaua’i, and 111 of those have occurred in the winter months (October through April), when winter surf changes the complexion especially of west and north-facing shores like Queen’s Pond. Of the 111 winter drownings, 75 occurred off the north and west shores of the island.
The death of a Werner Lindinger, 57, an Austrian visitor last Friday at Queen’s Pond, following a valiant rescue and revival attempt by Kaua’i residents and visitors, is the first confirmed drowning on the island this year. And naturally again brings up the discussion about beach warning signs, whether they are really effective or not, and if not, what other informational measures can and should be taken to alert visitors to the potential dangers of the ocean waters around Kaua’i.
After The Garden Island’s report Wednesday about the latest drowning, a frequent visitor from San Diego, Calif., Kim Merrill, e-mailed information about her experiences at Queen’s Pond.
“As a frequenter of that beach when in Kaua’i, I have on more than one occasion alerted visitors to the dangers of swimming there. Last March, it was a guy and his wife from Canada,” Merrill said. “He had no idea that that surf is truly the most hazardous on Kaua’i.”
Queen’s Pond is part of Polihale State Park, and he park has no fewer than 19 signs warning beachgoers of the potential dangers of waters within park boundaries.
And Kaleo Ho’okano, supervising lifeguard for the water safety office of Kaua’i County’s Division of Parks and Recreation, confirmed yesterday that there are warning signs posted along the dirt road leading to Queen’s Pond.
Staff Writer Paul C. Curtis can be reached at mailto:pcurtis@pulitzer.net or 245-3681 (ext. 224).
