Death at Shipwreck Beach

[T_R_Oglodyte]

The area mentioned is one of our favorite spots in the Islands.

Death at Shipwreck Beach - The Garden Island

POIPU A 64-year-old visitor from Massachusetts, Karen Smith, died on Wednesday around 10 a.m. after slipping and falling from a cliff while hiking north of Keoneloa Bay, also known as Shipwreck Beach, in Poipu.

www.thegardenisland.com

 

[artringwald]

I was hiking on that cliff with my grandkids yesterday, but didn't find out about the accident until today. There's a warning sign, but many go past it. Several places along the shoreline are undercut, but you can't see that from the top of the cliff.

Here's the place where she fell. In this picture, several people are past the warning sign.

Here's why I kept telling my grandson that he had to stay away from the edge.

 

[T_R_Oglodyte]

I was hiking on that cliff with my grandkids yesterday, but didn't find out about the accident until today. There's a warning sign, but many go past it. Several places along the shoreline are undercut, but you can't see that from the top of the cliff.

Here's the place where she fell. In this picture, several people are past the warning sign.

One of my sons (39 years old) dives from the top of that cliff.

 

[artringwald]

One of my sons (39 years old) dives from the top of that cliff.

I hope you don't encourage him.

 

[Dollie]

We just returned for Po`ipu. Is this selfie worth the risk?

 

[artringwald]

People that go to the right side of this cliff don't realize that it could collapse at any time. If anyone slips here, they don't stand much chance of surviving on the waves and rocks.

 

[geist1223]

Most people jump not dive.

 

[Roger830]

Here's two photos that I took a few years ago.

My wife not backing up for a selfie.

 

[klpca]

I feel so sorry for her family. My husband and I hike every week, and it is usually the primary activity of almost every trip that we take. There are places that we hike where a slip could lead to some serious trouble. Stuff happens when you are outside. I will say this, the most puzzling behavior that I see every single time we hike is inappropriate footwear, and I would say that hiking in Hawaii usually takes the cake. I have seen flip flops and platform sandals on the Kalalau trail! Usually I just see folks in street shoes that aren't too helpful on rocky or muddy trails. I also see folks who look like they haven't hiked a day in their life on the trails. Again, stuff happens when you are outside but I hate to see any hike end this way. By the way, I am not even speculating that poor footwear or judgement caused her fall. The article said that she slipped. It does not say that she was doing anything stupid like going past the sign or taking a selfie or wearing flip flops (she could have been doing something that caused the fall but we don't know) just that she slipped. I am going to assume that it was just a terrible accident.

 

[FunnyFarm]

I hike up there every morning I am at Poipu, I also lived on Kauai prior to the Point being built and went to that cliff area in the early 80's.
Never jumped off even when I was 23 and healthy.
Looked like a risky deal.

 

[artringwald]

Saw another couple today going way past the warning sign.