Blowhole death brings
suit against city, state

The complaint claims signs could have stopped teen's fall

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Star-Bulletin staff

The city and state should have known that three people had been killed at the Halona Blowhole in the past and were negligent in not posting warning signs, according to a lawsuit filed by the estate of Daniel Dick.

Dick, 18, of Los Angeles drowned June 30 after falling into the blowhole. Witnesses said at the time they saw him straddle the hole and then be blown into the air by the force of water before falling into the hole.

One witness, Moses Soto, who was nearby, said he told Dick "Don't do that," but Dick ignored him.

Dick's body was recovered the next morning by fire rescue personnel. He and his two brothers and mother were vacationing here at the time.

City spokeswoman Carol Costa could not be reached for comment.

State Land and Natural Resources officials had not yet seen the complaint and could not comment.

According to the suit, there were no posted signs warning of any potential danger that existed on the rocky area near the blowhole or on the shoreline separating Sandy Beach and the blowhole.

"In the absence of any signs warning of the deaths at, or danger of, the Halona Blowhole, such hazard and risk, created by the blowhole, was not obvious," the suit said.

Dick and a female companion, according to news reports, had approached the blow hole from the beach side and had climbed onto the rocky ledge to view it.

The suit maintains the city and state owns, maintains or controlled the area in the vicinity of the blowhole, a popular sightseeing spot in East Honolulu.

Dick's estate is seeking an undetermined amount in damages.