Hawaiʻi is known throughout the world for its natural beauty, outdoor lifestyle, and year-round recreation. From surfing legendary waves to hiking volcanic terrain, the islands offer experiences that many people rarely get to enjoy. But Hawaiʻi’s rugged terrain and ocean conditions can make certain recreational activities more dangerous than many tourists (and even residents) realize.
Each year, serious injuries and deaths occur during recreational activities in Hawaiʻi, like hiking, ziplining, horseback riding, snorkeling, jet skiing, and surfing. In many cases, these accidents happen because people underestimate the risks, lack experience, or receive inadequate safety guidance. If you are injured while engaging in a recreational activity in Hawaiʻi, you may be able to pursue a personal injury claim with the help of our Honolulu personal injury attorneys.
At Miyashita & O’Steen, we offer skilled legal representation to clients who are injured in all types of accidents in Hawaiʻi, including while hiking, swimming, surfing, or boating. We offer free initial consultations and handle all cases on a contingency fee basis. Reach out to our law firm to talk to a Honolulu recreation accident lawyer.
The Riskiest Recreational Activities in Hawaiʻi
There is so much to do and see in HawaiÊ»i. Whether you simply want to lie by the pool or have a more adventurous vacation, you can find something that meets your needs. If you do decide to enjoy some recreational activities, it is important to understand which are the most dangerous – and what you can do if you get hurt.
Ocean-Related Activities
The ocean is central to life in Hawaiʻi. While it is beautiful, many residents and visitors don’t necessarily understand its power. Ocean conditions in Hawaiʻi can be unpredictable, which can cause injuries.
Swimming in unprotected waters is one of the most dangerous activities that a person can do in Hawaiʻi. Many beaches do not have lifeguards or warning signs. Powerful shore breaks, sudden drop-offs, and strong currents can overwhelm even great swimmers.
These dangers aren’t just for tourists. Hawaiʻi has the second-highest drowning rate in the nation for residents. Drowning is also the number one cause of death for children aged 1 to 15 in Hawaiʻi.
Relatedly, snorkeling is one of the leading causes of tourist fatalities in Hawaiʻi. While snorkeling is billed as an accessible, safe activity, about 45 tourists drowned in the ocean each year in Hawaiʻi between 2019 and 2023, with snorkeling being the number one contributor.
Despite the dangers of snorkeling, many people who participate in the activity do not get appropriate safety training or learn how to use their gear properly. Combined with rough or unpredictable ocean conditions, this can lead to snorkeling accidents, including drowning.
While absolutely iconic in Hawaiʻi, surfing is another potentially dangerous activity. Even experienced surfers may not recognize that the waves here are simply not the same as on the mainland. Powerful swells, shallow reefs, and crowded waters can increase the risk of serious injury.
Common surfing injuries include head trauma, broken bones, lacerations from reefs, and spinal injuries. In the most serious cases, a surfer might drown or die from surfing-related injuries.
Cliff jumping is another activity that has gotten popular on social media, but it can be incredibly dangerous. When a person jumps off a cliff into the water, they may not be aware of hidden rocks below the surface, strong currents, changing tides, and deeper-than-expected water. All of these hazards can cause serious injuries and fatalities.
Finally, boating, jet skiing, and watercraft activities can all be incredibly dangerous. This is particularly true when an operator is inexperienced, and weather and/or ocean conditions are poor. Speeding, alcohol use, and equipment failure can also contribute to boating and jet skiing accidents.
These incidents can lead to drowning and serious injuries. Whether you are a long-time Hawaiʻi resident or a tourist visiting the islands on vacation, it is important to take all safety precautions when out on the water. This includes wearing life jackets, avoiding drugs and alcohol, and maintaining safe speeds.
Land-Based Activities
The potential dangers of the ocean may be apparent to many people. What some don’t recognize is that land-based activities can be just as dangerous in Hawaiʻi. While the island’s landscapes are stunning, they can also be unforgiving.
Hiking is one of the most dangerous activities in Hawaiʻi. Even if you regularly hike on the mainland, conditions in our state are simply different. The humidity, dense jungle, muddy rainforests, and razor-edge ridges present unique dangers. Each year, approximately 1,000 hikers are rescued across the state after they encounter dangerous conditions or simply cannot make their way back to safety.
Popular trails, such as ridge hikes and waterfall routes, have resulted in falls, rescues, and fatalities. Social media has also popularized hikes that are not safe or even closed to hikers. Unfortunately, this has led to many hikers suffering injuries from falls, heat exhaustion, dehydration, or getting lost or stranded.
On these hikes, many people come across waterfalls. While these waterfalls are beautiful, climbing the rocks, jumping into the water, and/or swimming in the pools can be risky. Dangers include flash flooding, slippery rocks, falling debris, and strong currents at the base. Even experienced hikers have been injured or killed at waterfalls around the islands.
Part of Hawaiʻi’s beauty comes from its volcanic terrain. This landscape has many dangers, including unstable ground, sharp lava rocks, collapsing lava tubs, and toxic volcanic gases. Exploring lava fields or active volcanic areas without proper guidance or preparation can result in serious injuries.
Adventure Tourism Activities
Hawaiʻi is a major destination for adventurous activities, some of which take place on the ground or in the air. While these activities can be a lot of fun, they can also be dangerous.
Helicopter tours offer a way to see absolutely breathtaking views of Hawaiʻi, but are unfortunately associated with fatal accidents. Contributing factors to helicopter accidents include rapidly changing weather, pilot error, mechanical failures, and mountainous terrain. These types of accidents almost always result in catastrophic injuries or death.
Ziplining is another popular activity in Hawaiʻi, but one that comes with a fair amount of risk. Ziplining accidents can result from equipment failure, improper harnessing, poor maintenance, inadequate training, or environmental factors. Injuries can include broken bones, spinal cord injuries, internal organ damage, and brain injuries.
There are also many adventure activities involving animals in ​​Hawaiʻi, such as horseback riding tours and marine life encounters. Accidents can often happen due to inadequate supervision or training, unsafe conditions, or simply the animals acting like animals. This can lead to a range of injuries, from broken bones to bites.
What Are My Options If I Am Hurt in a Recreational Activity in Hawaiʻi?
While there are so many great things to do in Hawaiʻi, these activities do come with certain risks. If you are hurt in a recreational activity in Hawaiʻi, you may be able to pursue a personal injury claim.
Not every recreational activity injury will lead to a lawsuit. In some cases, an injury may have been caused by a victim’s own actions or simply by uncontrollable circumstances. However, there are situations where another person, company, or government agency may be responsible for a recreational activity accident.
This may include situations such as:
- A lack of warnings about a dangerous activity
- A property owner does not warn about or fix dangerous conditions
- The equipment is defective or poorly maintained
- A tour operator does not provide proper safety instructions
- The operators of a recreational activity company don’t take precautions to prevent injuries
Even when an activity is inherently risky, businesses still owe a duty of care to customers. Even if you signed a waiver before participating in an activity, a business could still be held liable for your injuries. For example, if a ziplining company shows a reckless disregard for participant safety by using damaged harnesses, the waiver might not hold up in court.
It isn’t always easy to know when you might have a potential claim. If you are a tourist, you might think that you don’t have a lot of options or time to meet with lawyers before you head back home. Our law firm offers free initial consultations so that you can explore your rights and options. We also handle all cases on a contingency fee basis, which means that you will never pay a fee unless we recover money for you.
Compassionate Legal Representation for Hawaiʻi Personal Injury Victims
When you head out to do something fun, the last thing that you expect is to get hurt. Unfortunately, many recreational activities in Hawaiʻi are dangerous. Activities like hiking, snorkeling, and even swimming can cause serious or fatal injuries.
Based in Honolulu, Miyashita and O’Steen represent clients throughout the Hawaiian islands who have been hurt in all types of recreational activity accidents. Whether you are just visiting Hawaiʻi or are a local, we can help you get maximum compensation for your injuries. To learn more or to schedule a free initial consultation with a Honolulu recreational activity lawyer, give us a call at 808-300-0068 or fill out our online contact form.
