To the Forum:This is in response to the Nov. 16 fatality of a Ms. Franks on Hanakapi’ai beach and the article that was featured in the Garden Island News. My husband and I were both witness to this extremely tragic
To the Forum:This is in response to the Nov. 16 fatality of a Ms. Franks
on Hanakapi’ai beach and the article that was featured in the Garden Island
News.
My husband and I were both witness to this extremely tragic event
and it is our recommendation that this beach be closed to all swimming/wading,
particularly during the winter months.
The article suggested that the
local authorities were considering placing a buoy past the breakers to help
people who get caught in the undertow. We believe this to be a potentially
dangerous suggestion by leading people to a false sense of security that the
beach is safe.
Currently, warning signs exist but relying on the
discretion of the tourists to judge whether swimming/wading conditions are safe
or not, is just not acceptable. Concern that the beach will no longer be
enjoyed by tourists is a consideration but not at the price of lives.
The
continued drownings onHanakapi’ai Beach will only have a worse impact on
tourism for Hawaii.
Sincerely,
Rebecca Harrison M.D.
Paul Skiles
M.D
Portland, Oregon
