As 27 people in the last 29 years have died at the Wailuku River State Park in areas commonly known as Rainbow Falls and Boiling Pots in Hilo.
Additional signage has been installed to discourage people from entering the water.
The sign lists dates of when people have perished in the area and warns readers, “Do not go beyond this point.”
The new sign was modeled after one that was installed in 2022 at a popular hike, Olomana trail, on Oahu, where six hikers fell to their deaths on the trail in the last 13 years. Since the sign went up two years ago, there have been no further fatalities, and only one fall.
The public is invited to join kumu Kimo Awai for a blessing and unveiling of the new sign at 9 a.m. Friday at Boiling Pots at Wailuku River State Park. Those with questions can call Kagiwada’s office at (808) 961-8272.
Rainbow Falls and Boiling Pots are two popular state parks along the Wailuku River. Both sites see many residents and visitors year-round, and both have had fatalities of those from a wide variety of backgrounds.
Deaths have occurred almost equally from those who are visitors and locals, and some of those were strong swimmers and even elite athletes or lifeguards. The ages of those who died were as young as 14 years old and the oldest was in his 80s.
The Wailuku River is the longest river in Hawaii County and the largest in the State by volume of water. Its name means “waters of destruction.”
Boiling Pots is a succession of big pools connected by underground flow or cascades and whose waters roll and bubble as if boiling. The exposed hexagonal columns that line the pools were formed by the slow cooling of basalt lava. The 80-foot Rainbow Falls is renowned for the rainbow often formed from its mist.
“The hope in creating this new signage is to encourage those who visit these scenic areas to be mindful of the dangers that exist and honor the memories of those who have died by not entering the water,” County Council member Jenn Kagiwada said in a press release.
The sign was developed and installed by the Hawaii State Parks Division.
