Posted on: Thursday, June 17, 2004
Warning sign up at coastal pool
By Christie Wilson
Advertiser Neighbor Island Editor
PRINCEVILLE, Kaua'i — An additional warning sign has been posted at Queen's Bath, a popular natural coastal pool in Princeville that has lured a number of swimmers to their deaths.
Princeville residents identified the site as a safety priority during Ka Leo O Kaua'i meetings conducted monthly by the county in 15 communities. There were suggestions to close the area, but county information officer Cyndi Mei Ozaki said discussions eventually focused on safety and raising more public awareness of the hazards.
Princeville resident Doc Leonard, 63, lives near Queen's Bath and said many visitors are drawn to the site by guidebooks that describe it as a delightful swimming spot.
"It's a very dangerous path and a very dangerous location," he said. "People show up all the time, and they're not nearly up to snuff in knowing what to do in the water. They're not paying attention, and they get grabbed by a wave and swept out to sea, and try to swim back in and get crushed against the rocks."
Queen's Bath is a large pool filled by waves washing over a north-facing lava rock shelf. Access is down a dirt path that runs from a residential subdivision within the Princeville resort to the rocky shelf.
At low tide and during summer months, the warm, calm and shallow waters are attractive to residents and visitors alike. In winter and on other occasions, high surf makes the site dangerous and sometimes deadly.
The county in May 2002 temporarily closed the public access, citing liability and safety concerns after a lawsuit was filed by a man injured at the pool. Access was restored about a month later when calmer ocean conditions prevailed.
Recent tragedies include the April 2002 drowning of a Massachusetts man who was swept out to sea with two other relatives who were rescued. In March of last year, a California man died while trying to save his grandson.
The new sign at the top of the path reads: "This path and the natural areas below are treacherous. Proceed at your own risk."
Leonard said he wanted the sign to mention that deaths have occurred there, but others decided against it.
In addition to getting the new sign installed, Princeville residents worked with county attorneys and Mayor Bryan Baptiste to contact publishers of Kaua'i guidebooks, asking them to either downplay Queen's Bath as a visitor stop in their publications or increase mention of its potential dangers.
County liaison Tim Bynum said the community will consider posting signs at other beach access points in Princeville.
Reach Christie Wilson at cwilson@honoluluadvertiser.com or (808) 244-4880.
