Man, 6-year-old girl die after being pulled from water at Makapuu Tide Pools
A California man in his 40s and his 6-year-old daughter died today after they were pulled from the water during windy and rough conditions at Makapuu Tide Pools, authorities said.
The incident happened at about 11:20 a.m. when a wave knocked the girl into the water and the girl’s father apparently went in to save her, said Shayne Enright, spokeswoman for the city’s Department of Emergency Services.
Lifeguards on personal watercraft, responding to a report of two people in distress, found the man unresponsive in the water and brought him to Sandy Beach, where lifeguards on shore began CPR. The lifeguards on the watercraft went back for the girl, who was found unresponsive, and also brought her to Sandy Beach.
Enright said lifeguards performed CPR on both and rode with paramedics to the hospital to assist with CPR. The patients were taken to the hospital in critical condition, and police said they later died. Enright said the family consisted of the father and his three daughters. The youngest was 6 and the oldest was about 12.
“The conditions were very rough,” Enright said. “It was very windy.”
Enright warned about the hazards of the tidepools and said surf in the area was 4 to 8 feet Saturday.
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The tidepools are formed from pockets of lava rock below the Makapuu Point Lighthouse trail. Photos online show high surf crashing into the rocks, sending whitewash over the area.
In March last year, two people, including a 12-year-old girl, had to be rescued in separate incidents after they were injured by waves at the tide pools.
Surf was elevated in the Makapuu area Saturday morning at 4 to 7 feet, but a high-surf advisory was not in effect, said National Weather Serviceforecaster Tom Birchard. The weather service issues high-surf advisories for surf above 8 feet.
“Definitely larger than normal out there and longer periods than normal,” he said, adding that it doesn’t take much to get into trouble in the ocean, especially near a cliff face such as the tidepools.
19 responses to “Man, 6-year-old girl die after being pulled from water at Makapuu Tide Pools”
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Absolutely heartbreaking.
Thank you Lifeguards. You guys are the best and I know you couldn’t have tried any harder.
agree. But why on earth did the father risk his daughter’s life under such perilous circumstances? Makes no sense.
really? makes no sense? do you have children? don’t even bother to reply
I owe you an apology allie as I reread your post. I misread it as …did the father risk his life under….I failed to notice “daughter’s.”
On the other hand, many people who aren’t familiar with water/ocean safety don’t realize the risks that they may be involved in.
My deepest condolence to the family. You come to Hawaii to enjoy yourselves and tragedy happens.
Very sad story. People do not realize how dangerous the ocean can be. So many come to Hawaii and its the first time they’ve ever been to the ocean, they just dont know.
I just cannot imagine the heartbreak the family is feeling…
It’s about time that the State put up signs at the trail to the tidepools letting people know how dangerous it is. Like Spitting Caves.
Law suit to follow?
Yeah and it should be filed against Facebook and all Social media. Ninety-nine percent of tourist and/or people would never venture down there if it wasn’t for Facebook.
There’s a lot of truth in that. People who write those descriptions most often go on a nice day and their descriptions are glowing. Those of us who live here and have been to these places when conditions are sketchy know the limits a lot better. The writers will claim they aren’t responsible for weather and sea conditions, but those descriptions lure many visitors to get in trouble.
Schools need to add social media dos-and-don’ts to the curriculum. It’s as important as “Don’t Talk to Strangers” and sex-ed. People haven’t figured out what to do with their 15 minutes of fame.
“The conditions were very rough,” Enright said. “It was very windy.”
You can place all the signs in the world but it won’t replace common sense.
This is a sad incident. Condolences to the family. Kudos to the lifeguards.
This F’n vale of tears.
Another example of how our first responders risk their lives for all of us. Life happens and they are there. Condolences to the family on their horrific loss.
Another example of our first responders putting their lives on the line for us. Condolences to the family and thanks to the first responders.
Such sad news. The State needs to find ways to reduce incidents such as this. DLNR director, are you listening?
People need to be made aware that if they are not familiar with near shore ocean conditions, or are poor swimmers, staying out of the water is the more prudent course of action. Danger signs are placed on the beach, but everyone has to be responsible for their own decisions. Makapuu and Sandy Beach are not suitable for small children. My condolences – – -.
Why send the jet ski from Hawaii Kai? Why not launch it from the dock at Sea Life Park? No need go all the way to Sandy Beach. Keep an inflatable boat ready at that dock. Is there a jet ski at Waimanlo for HFD and lifeguards?