The Sacred Falls hike is positively reviewed online, and people hike it even though it is illegal. In an effort to discourage would-be hikers, The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DNLR) posted a video about the dangers of the hike online to supplement the physical warning signs placed at the head of the trail.The seven-minute video DNLR uploaded on Vimeo and YouTube describes the dangers of Sacred Falls. On Mother’s Day weekend of 1999, a chunk of the upper cliffs fell off and landed on hikers who were swimming and sitting below. 50 people were injured, and eight died, permanently closing the hike to the public. Some locals were able to hike the hike before it closed down, such as Caressa Ann Pitt, a junior studying graphic design from Pupukea.”When I went on it when I was younger, I remember there was a waterfall at the end. I haven’t been since then because it was closed down,” said Pitt. Law enforcers try to prevent people from going on the hike into Sacred Falls. The video explains that if someone was injured, it is impossible for a helicopter to get into the falls, and firemen are putting their own lives in a dangerous situation. Bradley Highsmith, a junior in exercise and sports science from North Carolina, said he doesn’t think this is a compelling reason to stay off the hike. He said, “It’s like saying firefighters can save people in a burning building. It’s their job, but it’s still dangerous.”The video tries to warn others, despite the beautiful view, to avoid the hike. Highsmith added, “Its a shame that they don’t let people go see it. There are a lot of other hikes that are just as dangerous.” Pitt said, “I just try to obey the laws of the land, that’s all. There are a lot of hikes here in Hawaii that are off-limits.” Uploaded March 2, 2015
Writer: Rachel Reed
