From towering cascades you can only witness via helicopter tour to short waterfalls that cascade into small pools where you can make a splash, the waterfalls you’ll find across the Hawaiian Islands are truly remarkable. And while there are many waterfalls you can experience in person — and even swim in — there is one waterfall that is strictly off-limits for a mighty good reason: Hawaii's Sacred Falls. Before you ask yourself, "Are there any waterfalls near me?" take a beat to remember the Sacred Falls tragedy and why it's so important to be cautious when exploring the land.
Tucked away deep in the lush, Hawaiian jungle on the northeastern corner of Oahu and measuring in at more than one thousand feet in height, Sacred Falls in Hawaii may be one of the prettiest cascades we’ve ever seen, but it’s also the site of a tragedy locals will never forget.
On May 9, 1999 — Mother’s Day — a fatal rockfall near the waterfall killed eight hikers and injured 50 others when boulders and rocks collapsed into the narrow valley and visitors were unable to escape from the falling debris.
After the rockfall from the Sacred Falls landslide, most of the injured were lifted by stretchers suspended from helicopters while other victims were carried 2.2 miles out of the park by first responders.
The area was considered dangerous long before this tragedy, due to slippery footing and deaths attributed to flash floods in the mountains that swept hikers down the canyon.
In total, more than twenty incidents of locals and tourists alike being injured or killed at Sacred Falls had occurred, and after that fateful day in May 1999, the Sacred Falls State Park was closed indefinitely.
While the state employs many tactics to discourage hikers from illegally entering the shuttered park, many people disregard the warnings and danger. Due to the danger to first responders and the public, hikers who are caught are issued fines — which start at $2,500 for a first offense.
Surrounded by rugged cliffs and verdant greenery, Sacred Falls was once one of the most popular waterfall hikes in Hawaii — as many as 70,000 people made the trek through the valley each year to reach the famous waterfall and swimming hole. Today, however, the only way to safely experience Sacred Falls for yourself is with a helicopter tour. The changes had to be made, of course, due to the Sacred Falls in Oahu tragedy.
Were you living on Oahu when the 1999 Sacred Falls tragedy occurred? What do you remember about this horrific landslide? Did you visit the waterfall before it was deemed illegal to visit? Share your memories with us in the comments below. Afterward discover one of our favorite Oahu waterfalls where you can make a splash, Maunawili Falls.
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