Department of Land and Natural Resources

DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES
News Release

DAVID Y. IGE GOVERNOR

SUZANNE D. CASE CHAIRPERSON

For Immediate News Release September 2, 2016 

MAKAPU‘U TIDE POOLS PATH CLOSED AT KAIWI STATE SCENIC SHORELINE
Due to public safety concerns due to high surf forecasts 

HONOLULU —  Due to anticipated storm-generated wave heights of up to 15 feet (Hawaiian) which equals a 30 foot wave face on the east-facing shores of O‘ahu,  the Division of State Parks is temporarily closing the unimproved foot path that leads down to the popular Makapu‘u tide pools at Kaiwi State Scenic Shoreline. 

DLNR is asking that the public please honor and respect this closure and only take photographs of the waves from the authorized viewing area along the paved trail in order to stay out of harm’s way from the excessively large storm surf.  

On August 30 and then the following day on August 31, two males in their mid-20’s, in severe distress, were rescued by the Honolulu City and County Water Safety personnel from the turbulent ocean along the shoreline below these tide pools after being swept out to sea. A few months ago, a father and daughter tragically drowned from being swept out to sea at this location.

 

# # #

 

Media Contact:

Deborah Ward
Communications Specialist
(808) 587-0320