Kokua Line
Kokua Line
Reader wants more
warnings at blowholeQuestion: Recently, I took a friend around Oahu to show him the sites. We stopped at the Halona Blowhole, and as we were walking toward the viewing area, I recounted the story of the teenager sucked in and killed there in June. Can you imagine my horror when we saw what appeared to be a tourist family including small children standing down on the rocks right next to the blowhole? I was further dismayed that several people at the view area had not seemed to have said anything to these people. I yelled down a warning to get back, mentioning the death of the young boy, and all I got back were blank stares and dirty looks. It's very apparent that this dangerous situation may take another victim. Can the state or city do something soon -- putting some sort of warning down on the rock area that is plainly visible to the viewing area and the walk-up areas from the beach as well? Obviously, the state cannot stand at every beach, trail, etc. like a cat at a mouse hole, and the victims must take some responsibility and have some common sense as well, but the blowhole situation is something not a lot of mainland or foreign visitors may have experience with.
Answer: There apparently won't be any additional signs posted at the site of the popular visitor attraction anytime soon because of pending litigation.
A lawsuit has been filed in the death of Daniel Dick, the 18-year-old Los Angeles visitor who drowned June 30 after falling into the blowhole. Witnesses said Dick was straddling the hole when he was blown into the air by a spurt of water before falling into the hole.
The lawsuit alleges the city and state were negligent in not posting warning signs. There is a city sign warning "Hazardous Conditions, Do Not Go Beyond This Point," posted at a locked gate going from the lookout down to the blowhole.
However, Dick had approached the blowhole from the beach area. The lawsuit said there were no posted warning signs along the shoreline, although some witnesses reportedly said they verbally warned Dick about the danger.
Carol Costa, spokeswoman for the city administration, said no decisions have been made about posting additional signs because of the pending litigation.
Gilbert Coloma-Agaran, director of the state Department of Land & Natural Resources, said: "We're evaluating the matter in light of the case law. Then some decision will be made."
He noted that all the current signs in the area are city signs, but that his department's intent is to "cooperate with the city" regarding any decision.
Q: There are two trees on Waialae Avenue with new growth that block the view of cars exiting from the 7th Avenue parking lot (looking right). I don't know who is in charge of trimming it. Can something be done about this?
A: We passed on your concerns to the city Department of Parks & Recreation.
Its Beautification Division handles placement, replacement, trimming, removal, relocation, donations, etc. of city trees. In the future, you can call 971-7151.
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Got a question or complaint?
Call 529-4773, fax 529-4750, or write to Kokua Line,
Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., No. 7-210,
Honolulu 96813. As many as possible will be answered.
E-mail to kokualine@starbulletin.com