Dear Invincible tourists
Today, I caught two people on the opposite side and end of the fenceline closest to Opaekaa waterfall, trying to maneuver down to waterfall, and hanging on to the fence that kept them from death.
These young adults were in the zone where two woman fell to their death in the past, causing lockdown of all our special play areas.
The two youngins’ were also confused by signages that describe danger — signs that they ignored! Had I not stopped and backed up to their spot, we would be reading about two more deaths in TGI, alongside still missing Daybell children storylines.
Too many tourists have spoiled these lands, they think we are Disneyland, invincible with zero Respect!
Debra Kekaualua, Kapaa
As has been said before, “You can’t fix stupid.” You could look at it this way, Debra: if someone wants to ignore warning signs and risk putting their lives in danger, then so be it. Besides, that’s one way of keeping the tourist population you so despise in check. Don’t Worry Be Happy!
Steve, ty for not belittling me and this experience! Ive been in the medical field on kauai as the first EMS crew while attending KCC 1972. Even though i am retired, done my job as a mom and wife. All i could see in the vision of these faces, were my own children placing themselves at risk.
Miss Kekaualua makes a great statement, unfortunately, of fortunately you can’t outlaw ignorance. Hopefully people would take to heart to respect caution but many don’t to their own painful outcome.
Patrick H Flores, Wailua Houselots
I don’t respect our nanny state’s efforts to protect us from ourselves on our own public land either. Maybe if the fence wasn’t there they wouldn’t have to scramble around it.
OMG! We should have elected you Mayor! How did we miss that?
I am at the Wailua falls a lot and I see visitors CONSTANTLY jumping the fence right in front of the first of many warning signs posted by the state. I have tried to warn people people it is not safe but when you’ve seen it on the internet who am I to say not to risk life and limb. Actually that is the big problem. Travel bloggers mention these places as an adventure but fail to mention the dangers or legalities of trespassing. When I see these blogs, articles I contact the blogger to point out how dangerous their depiction is and the consequences involved like rescue costs and dangers . I urge you to do the same.
The only sign missing there is ” if you need to be rescued you will be responsible for the fees. you will pay or go to jail!’
I guess what angers/concerns me the most about situations like this, is that, if the visitors do get hurt or perish because of their questionable decision making – the first action they want to take is to sue someone, ie.: private landowner, State, County, etc. This is BS. If you take the risk, whether there are signs posted or not, they should not be allowed to pursue any liability claim. The lawsuit should be immediately dismissed, and litigant pay any and all legal costs for both sides. (Queens Bath, Shipwreck Cliff and Kipu Falls all come to mind). The second action they want to take is to close it off for everyone else. As tragic as their situation is, it was still a decision that they, or the people they are with, made. Don’e spoil it for everyone.
Agreed with a sign that says you will pay $$$ for your rescue!!! People often do not think that way but the big uptick in fence jumping are from people seeing the location on the internet . There are a lot of people who travel the world sharing their adventures. They write about Queen’s bath for instance , have a nice time perhaps it was calm that day but fail to see the inherent dangers or fail to report
them because that does not make good reading. All you have to do is search Queen’s bath or any of these places, even just Kaua’i and Google will send you all these blogs. You will see. It is these bloggers who drive Young folks to these adventures. They are popular because they are “FREE”. as long as you stay safe. When you see one of these blogs contact the writer.