County closes access to scenic Kaua'i pool
By Jan TenBruggencate
Advertiser Kaua'i Bureau
PRINCEVILLE, Kaua'i — The county administration has closed the scenic Queen's Bath area to the public because so many people have been hurt there, the administration told the Kaua'i County Council yesterday.
Jan TenBruggencate • The Honolulu Advertiser
"This decision is based on the hazardous nature of the existing trail, the hazardous nature of the rocky coastline and ocean conditions, and multiple injuries and drownings which have occurred over recent years," Deputy County Engineer Ian Costa said in a letter responding to council concerns.
To prevent injuries at Queen's Bath, a seaside pool near the Princeville resort, Kaua'i County has has cut off public access.
A dedicated public access runs from the Princeville resort community down a dirt trail to a wide rock shelf overlooking the ocean. Queen's Bath is a large natural pool that is filled when waves wash over the rock shelf.
The letter said the county is being sued by someone who was injured at Queen's Bath, and the closure is partly intended to minimize the county's risk of further claims.
The county has posted a sign saying the trail is closed and has installed barriers to prevent use of the parking lot at the trailhead. Neighboring property owners' lots also have been coned off to discourage parking.
"While the county's closure has not necessarily prevented people from getting to Queen's Bath, it surely discourages and warns the public of going there," Costa's letter said.
He said the county may reopen the trail during the summer months, but expects to close it again during the rainy season.
"Until resources are made available for safety improvements to the trail, we expect that seasonal closings will continue to occur," Costa said.
Reach Jan Tenbruggencate at (808) 245-7825 or at jant@honoluluadvertiser.com.
