Does the ocean really need a warning label?

Tika Hick, whose fiance David Potts disappeared into the ocean at Maui's Nakalele Point blowhole, says there should have been a warning sign that the site was dangerous.

Here we go again.

Witnesses said Potts was standing right next to the blowhole, frolicking in the spray. Hick says he wasn't, though she wasn't there and is relying on accounts by her brother and his wife. According to an Associated Press story in the Honolulu Star-Bulletin, "He slipped because it was slippery."

A blowhole spraying water on rocks can make for slippery conditions, yes. Do we really need a sign for that? Maybe we should hire the person who wrote the warning label on irons, "Do not attempt to iron clothes while wearing them."

Most people in Hawaii will pause before telling Tika Hick that her fiance should have known better, and this is entirely understandable. Not only is she grieving for the man intended to marry, but she herself is getting a double mastectomy this coming week; my first wife had breast cancer twice - died from it the second time - I know better than some what Hick is going through on that front. I wish her the best and hope she has plenty of support from her family during her recovery.

But I cannot agree that the danger of the blowhole needed, or needs, a sign, even though there actually is a handmade sign that says, "Blowhole - park and walk at your own risk." You can't even get to that blowhole without walking over sharp, treacherous, and, yes, slippery rock. Furthermore, a photo exists which actually shows Potts in the spray of the blowhole, proof that he saw how powerful it was.

We have seen this before. On other beaches, near waterfalls and cliffs, on hiking trails, people have put themselves into clearly hazardous conditions, and then later they or their surviving relatives have claimed that the state or someone should have put up a sign spelling out what were obvious dangers.

The state already hands out a form to every visitor on every plane. Maybe we should hand out a sweeping warning label for Mother Nature:

WARNING: WINDS, WAVES, ROCKS, LAVA AND OTHER PRODUCTS OF MOTHER NATURE ARE INHERENTLY DANGEROUS. WINDS AND WAVES CAN PICK UP SUDDENLY AND WITH GREAT FORCE. ROCKS CAN BE TREACHEROUS. LAVA CAN CHANGE COURSE SUDDENLY, SOMETIMES UNDERGROUND, AND NEW LAVA FORMATIONS CAN BREAK AWAY. EXERCISE REASONABLE CAUTION AND CARE AND STAY ALERT. NEVER ASSUME THAT THE ABSENCE OF ANY FURTHER WARNING SIGN MEANS THERE IS NO HAZARD.

You have a vested interest in this as a taxpayer. Maui Land & Pineapple owns the land near the blowhole in this instance, but the blowhole itself, right at the water's edge and nowhere near ground vegetation, would seem to be clearly in the state's purview as owner of the coastline under our state constitution. If it weren't for the photographic evidence and the witness accounts, the state might well have considered settling a suit out of court.

Do you think I'm being too harsh? I've been swayed by measured arguments before and welcome your own view.

Comments

[Gordon Harai]

I agree with you 100%. A lot of things in life use common sense approaches. I guess common sense is not very common anymore.
It seems a lot of tourists leave their brains at home when they come (or go) on vacation. Of course the same could be said of Kamaaina.
On the other hand, we cannot scare our visitors away. I think a politely phrased warning would work just as well. Unfortunately, there will always be some who feel invincible, thereby proving themselves wrong. The problem is they, or their surviving family, will not admit it and try to sue somebody to place the blame elsewhere. Human nature, I guess.

[Malia Kaai-Barrett]

I agree completely with your position. I have also seen some folks suggest that there should be some kind of PSA on planes as folks come to Hawaii saying "Welcome but be aware and be forewarned". I think this would not be a bad idea to implement. They have info on not bringing in animals or plants because they potentially damage our 'Aina. I would be in full support of such an effort.

I am a Maui girl and this blowhole is only about 4 miles from where I grew up. It is a very LONG way off the beaten track. It's a long dangerous treck just to get to the place. That blowhole can pump plumes of spray up 70 - 100 feet... The ocean is deep and powerful in that area... The shore line is very rough. It takes the full northern force of the Pacific Ocean on that coast line. The waves don't have to be big from the unknowing observer's eye. The force of the drag of the water receding into that hole is what pulled him in... I know... I've seen it...

Some idiot gets hurt and killed and then the rescuer and recovery team is also put at risk. I'm sorry for this loss of life but the fact remains he was not using good judgement.

The fact that these darn "guide books" give visitors information about how or where to find some of these unique and special but sometime dangerous spots I think is frankly irresponsible. Regardless if they put a comment to safety. Don't tell the Malihini where it is! Their experience in Hawaii will be NO less wonderful and leave the special spots to the locals who know how to respect the 'Aina. Sorry, I just do not think tourists need to know everything about Hawaii. This is only one more example about the damage these "guide books" are doing to our 'Aina. Its Bull. They are protected by the freedom of speech but I think there should be some kind of liability to the author or publisher.

[Chris]

If this blowhole was in California, where the victim is from, I think there would have been signs everywhere warning of the hazard...a result of lots of people getting hurt, lawyering-up, and then looking for someone to sue over it.

The Spouting Horn blowhole on Kauai is fenced off (I believe it's a Kauai County park) and there are signs warning of the danger, though occasionally I have seen idiots standing close to the blowhole in the past, so there must be a way to get around the fence and down onto the lava shelf for those who truly want to risk their lives in front of a lot of people snapping photos.

Over the years when I used to visit Hawaii [before I moved here] I read a number of times from a number of sources to never turn my back on the ocean, etc., good advice that I think was unfortunately ignored in this case. I do believe Hawaii has a Disneyland-like effect on people - the feeling that nothing bad can happen and nothing can go wrong in such a beautiful place. But bad things can and do happen, even here.

[Mike Swanson]

Absolutely agree. Some things in life are simply too obvious to require signs. Another case of someone wanting to shift responsibility from themselves onto someone else. Can anyone reasonably expect a sign to prevent deaths at this location? Would a sign have prevented Potts from venturing too close to this blowhole? I doubt it. CAVEAT: Mother Nature's sheer awesomeness and power can be lethal to those lacking common sense.

[Jeff]

Unfortunately we had the situation on Oahu where the man straddled the blow hole, was forced up and then back down into the hole as the wave crashed into the formation. The family wanted to have a grate installed over the hole as a remedy.

At what point does common sense and personal responsibility come in?

[zzzzzz]

I think you have a great idea. Instead of spending a whole bunch of money trying to put signs up anywhere and everywhere there is a possible risk, show the video to everyone on all the inbound planes and ships, and ask the hotels to show it on their tourist channels too.

Didn't Brickwood Galuteria record a video about the need for ag inspections that used to be shown on inbound flights?

[Michael]

It seems true when a tourist goes on vacation they leave their brains at home. I travel and respect the land and people where I travel to. I leave my arrogance at home when I visit foreign lands.

I bring American Travelers checks
and added Hopefully some common cents. They say, "Don't leave your home without it"