Why Hawaii Has So Many Illegal Hikes

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[emilyblack]

As someone from Hawaii, one of my biggest problems with the system is how it obscures which trails really are dangerous, and which had a single accident. There’s a huge difference between a bumpy bike trail and the stairway to heaven, and sometimes you won’t know until you’re climbing rotten wood on a 100 ft cliff.

[mrsusan]

I'm off to Tasmania soon and will be paying for an annual National Park Pass. Maybe Hawaii should do the same but in the terms and conditions they could include a no liability disclaimer. If you get hurt or injured then it's your own fault and you cannot sue. The profits made from the National Parks Pass could pay for track maintenance, pay for extra rangers and whatever else needs to be done to keeps the Parks running safely and economically.

[gordon]

In Scotland, where I live, people die in the mountains every year. Some of them are tourists who underestimated the dangers. Not one of them could give rise to a claim for compensation. Local and national authorities do maintain paths, provide bridges etc but in areas with high tourism numbers and less obvious dangers there are always signs that explain the risks clearly, in a balanced way, and remind you that you're responsible for your own safety.

If someone got hurt because of negligent construction of a bridge or something that would be different, but if the sign warns of rockfall and you get killed by rockfall, tough.

We have a right of access to almost all of the country, so the idea of trespass is absurd to us.

[zactrieu]

Im from Oahu, Hawaii and when I saw this video I immediately watched it to its entirety, its so accurate about what the current situation with hiking here is. Great cinematography and drone footage man

[landonhall]

Where I live it's pretty common for people to fall off of waterfalls or drown in the whitewater and pass away. Its always sad, but it would be even sadder for people not to have access to those trails. I think if we want to continue to preserve nature then people need access to see it's beauty. As long as trail heads warn you of the common risks then it should be your decision to take those risks.

[CSLintheCASINO]

The type of person that sues for being hurt by nature are the same type that sued because they gave their child a plastic bag as a toy. Hence the warnings on every plastic bag: “this is not a toy. Do not place over your head.” 🤦‍♂️

[FuDziWuDzi]

I honestly can’t blame the state because we’ve become too litigious. There’s always an inherent risk when it comes to the outdoors and it’s actually part of the thrill and appeal of it.

Why would i want to hike in a place that is as safe as my neighborhood? Hiking is an activity that requires skill building like any other.

[finalben]

I was just in Hawaii in November and was wondering why all of the trails say they are closed. Thanks for all the info, it makes a lot of sense now. You mentioned in the beginning of your video that hiking comes with an assumed liability, I'm not sure why they can't just put that on the sign and not that the trail is closed. On the other side of the spectrum some of the trails I did were so poorly maintained that I truly didn't think it was safe for the general public to be using them. Hawaii is obviously doing this to cover their butt, but there's no denying that their lack of maintenance is going to cause more injuries. This is one of those cases of it being fallout from our legal system not being practical and lawyers winning cases that they have no business winning.

[bearcubdaycare]

A popular trail through the Air Force Academy was closed because someone sued, successfully, after a single-bicycle accident, based on the trail not being in perfect condition. Fortunately, it's been reopened, as it's part of a longer trail system. (I recall vaguely that the state worked with the academy to resolve the liability issue.)

[MeyaRoseGirl]

There is something to be said that the overtourism can actually make the trail danger problem worse because if too many people are tredding on the same trail everyday, erosion happens a lot faster than nature can repair it. I'm from Colorado, and it's wonderful when you find a nice trail or site that's relatively unknown. Then it becomes known, and it's ruined. The parking at the trailhead gets overpacked. Littering increases. The trail gets eroded, so parts of it have to be blocked off. And you'll just be walking, trying to enjoy the sounds of nature, and suddenly you'll hear a huge group of people ahead or behind you conversing loudly on some stupid subject, and now you can't hear the birds. If they're going the same direction as you, you may be stuck with the noise your whole hike.

There is a trail I've never actually done (though I've seen it from the neighboring Barr Trail) called the Manitou Incline. It was originally train tracks to aid construction of a hydroelectric plant. Then it became a tourist train that became too costly to maintain, so it was abandoned. What was left behind was a very steep mile-long staircase of very tall stairs of railroad ties. It was technically illegal to hike because it crossed private land and Federal land, but for 20 years, people did it anyway. Finally President Obama signed sometime permitting the use of the Federal land, and it was changed to become a maintained trail. I'm told that the stairs are no longer as tall as when it was just railroad ties (last time I saw it) because they've put extra wooden stairs between the ties, but it still a very steep climb. It's crazy busy there. During peak tourist times, you actually have to sign up to do it at specified times, so it doesn't get too crowded. I've never been interested in doing it because I feel like all those other people would just take away from the magic of nature. People don't really do it for that. It's more of a fitness thing, since it's a steep mile-long staircase. Crazy fit people can do it in a half hour. The record is like 18 minutes. Normal people take an hour.

I actually think Hawaii's solution is probably the right one. Post signs and fences that make it clear that the trail is closed, but don't be too strict about enforcing it. That way people can still do it, but they have to make the conscious decision to take the danger (and liability) on themselves.

[RCWolfFPV]

this hit more than any of your work so far!! The story, the message, and the way it was delivered is incredible! Hopefully the message gets heard, and things change for the better.

[joshmoxey.]

Dude, this video is a work of art. The flow you have with a camera is insane. The drone landscape shots, the b-roll of the signs – it's so smooth and otherworldly that it feels like it's 60FPS despite being 24. Additionally, your editing, motion tracking, sound design, use of headlines, Instagram UI, colour grading, visual & verbal storytelling, etc were all incredible – you nailed everything. By far my favourite video that I've watched from you and I'm feeling very inspired by this film. Tremendous work, brother.

P.S, do you know when you're releasing the video on the new action cam? I was just about to purchase an Insta360 Go 2, but your outdoor gear video has me questioning that decision and now I'm waiting for this upload as I'm curious about what you ended up getting instead!

[thomasclarke]

Some of the trail closures are a bit silly. But there are also serious problems, especially on Oahu, with people ignoring the rules and ruining the land (some closures are legitimate protections for wildlife habitat, watersheds, heritage, etc.). There is also a constant burden on the state from people who get lost or injured and require helicopter rescue. Several popular trails see this happen at least once a week. It's not all the state's fault - irresponsible people are ruining it for everyone else.

[jinxe]

Totally support people’s right to enjoy the great outdoors with a few suggestions/caveats:
1) If you go hiking, you assume ALL liabilities and cannot sue landowners or the State

2) If you go off of the marked trail and need to be rescued, you assume all costs for the rescue effort

3) No one has the right to illegally trespass through any private homeowners/landowners property to access any trails without their explicit permission PERIOD

4) Everyone leave the areas visited in the same or better condition after they depart

5) Have the state set up a “Trail Pass” system where folks could buy a pass that would allow them access to all State managed trails for a given period of time (Locals could buy an annual pass at a discounted rate) which would also help to improve the various trails from the fees that are generated from the sale of the passes

6) People just need to respect and follow the rules - If a trail is closed, just go to one that is open, don’t be an entitled A**hole posting your trespassing adventure up on social media, ruining it for everyone else.

7) If an area holds a level of significance to the Hawaiian people/culture people, then EVERYONE needs to respect it

[jasonmeetswrld]

This is an interesting lesson on the hikes here on Oahu! Many of us local hikers continue to do these trails regardless of their closures. Everyone understands that the trails aren't safe. While many of them are maintained by random individuals through bush cutting or rope repair, it is a risk we all take. A lot of us hike for the views and to appreciate the beautiful island we live on. Honestly, the closures help keep trail erosion/foot traffic down too, so it's kind of a win-win for the state and avid hikers here on the island!

[TheCreditShifu]

This is actually a pretty good situation for people who know what they are doing in the mountains. Quieter trails and those people are less likely to get hurt and less likely to want to sue anyway, since they know the dangers

[NickandRachel]

It's a shame that so many trails are shut down! Enjoyed the video very well put together 🌲

[mitchellquartero]

In fact on Sunday, one hiker hiking off the Lanikai pillbox trail actually fell 40 feet and died

[natedole]

I hate that the first instinct of people after they get hurt is to sue. But I also really can't blame them for it because medical bills in the US are so insane.

[TuckerPearce]

I think accidents happen and you take that risk. As long as trails are properly marked and there are warnings on the level of expertise needed I think most trails should remain open. Just my 2 cents, not saying others shouldn’t feel another way on the topic. Great video.