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.
Yeah when I was in Hawaii we weren't allowed to leave campus without an islander who knows the trail, the one time we did sneak off we were lost for 4 hours (I wasn't the group was and I was 13 so nobody listened) we ended up on the wrong side of Maui Like maybe don't hike volcanos, just a thought lmfao
This is what I was thinking! I've done a couple of hikes that were partly closed off and I always found super dangerous situations, such as falling trees etc. (I didn't go to the closed off area but could see them for example from the rerouted path). I would be way too scared to trespass in this sense, but on the other hand "if everyone else is doing it..."
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.
Washington (the state) has a similar system for its more popular trails, but not all trails. But i feel that Hawaii needs to change its laws so that hikers assume the risk and pull liability away from the state. Even posting a sign at trailheads like "By passing this sign, you accept liability on the trail. Sc.12345"
In Austria it is commonplace to get some free pass or reduced prices on lots of stuff when you book a local accommodation. I think a national park pass may be a great way to foster responsible tourism via this model. You could provide free passes to people booking accommodations that are environmentally friendly or whatever other important criterion you want to use.
That might be complicated to implement since it sounds like there is already a legal precedent for the state to be held liable. Idk if there'd be issues or not if Hawaii would want to just start claiming no liability if the legal precedent is already there? But if not, I agree it'd be a great idea!
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.
@@MultiSneakerLover maybe if you had any comprehension skills you'd understand that they very much had reason to bring up their country and continued to make a relevant and interesting point. Not all countries see adventuring the same.
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
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.
Oregon? The Devil's Gorge or 300ft cliffs without a small rail was unreal. Added to the beauty and shows trust in the people to not be stupid or suicidal.
Then, the state should not be sued by the family members of the dead. Additionally, emergency service personnel should not have to risk their lives to go rescue the stranded hikers. HIKE AT YOUR OWN RISK!
@@T.S.000The people risking their lives to rescue these people are also there by choice. They could pursue a career as a regular paramedic, or doctor, but instead chose a career in rescue. Some are even volunteer rescue units. They are people who have a real passion for what they do. I hope you find a career where you can feel the same.
@@Fpvpilot928 : While it is true that the rescuers volunteered for the job, but I think that they are better to serve people that did not do the illegal act. The rescuers should just let the hikers that, voluntarily, go on illegal hikes save themselves or let the nature does its things. Do you think it is right that the family of stranded hikers could sue the state for the idiotic act, and taxpayers have to pay the settlement?
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.” 🤦♂️
Do you think the judge in that case was an idiot? They awarded the family 8 million because the state WAS at fault for not putting up warnings about hazards
@@Leto_0 WARNING: Walking on the edge of a cliff puts you at risk of falling of said cliff. WARNING: Those large boulders at the bottom of waterfalls were once on top of said waterfall…. there are more boulders up there. WARNING: Being under water will make it difficult to breathe. WARNING: A dirt path into the mountains does not equal safe.
@@CSLintheCASINO A freaking landslide happened and here you are comparing it with putting a plastic bag over your head or standing to close to and edge of a cliff. landslide come out of nowhere. You get caught in them simply for being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Warning tourists of dangerous trails is not that hard to grasp. Especially as tourists are not locals and most likely are not aware of areas that are prone to landslides. You know what would help make them aware of that? Some signs. After that it's up on them to assess the risk.
@@bd5067 I did not know what the specific incident was that this video refers to. It’s a tragedy for sure. Very sad. However, those rocks at the bottom of the cliff/mountain used to be on top of the cliff/mountain. Do people also need sign on the beach that warn that waves exist and can drown people? Oh wait, yes we have those because of people that sue because they can’t comprehend the danger without a sign telling them so 🤦♂️
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.
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.
@@anthonyc8499 They could, they tried, but there are some legislatures who are also attorneys, and not only that, they are personal injury attorneys so they voted against a bill making the state or other property owners immune from lawsuits due to people hiking on their land.
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.)
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.
Actually, in Hawaii they (those who need rescuing) don’t pay for the associated fees for their rescue. It’s actually a relatively current topic as there has been discussion about whether this should be changed.
@@kacieho6011 It's a problem here in Colorado too. I was a volunteer member of the local search and rescue unit for 6.5 years, and people are never charged for rescues. But some people (from afar) fail to pay the bill for the ambulance that we would take them to (if needed), so the city added an extra sales tax to pay for the unpaid ambulance bills. So, I'd pay extra on my coffee after getting back from a volunteer rescue.
this hit waaaaay 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.
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.
But then what if the state wants to close a trail for another reason, like wildlife protection? You've created a dynamic of people just ignoring all closures.
@@MeyaRoseGirl what would be more profitable and honorable is if the state issued permits with a contract stating that they are not liable for anything that goes wrong. The state would immediately acquire funds to start maintaining and patrolling the area, and would allow the state to somewhat control the influx of visitors.
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!
@@tedclutter1767 lol, your so salty your going to every comment that compliments the video quality and leaving hate! News flash bud, in todays world of tick tock videos and everything being recorded on phones most people don't even know the difference and or don't care. The video looks good by youtube standards, give it a rest and let people give the kid a damn compliment, geez.
nerd, this video is about the content, not your obsession. you said nothing about the topic, the actual content of the video. that's why i despise single-issue fanatics
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!
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
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.
@@T.S.000 That's what the EMS system is here for though. Plenty of other messed up situations people caused by themselves come from many different situations. Gotta at least try to help them all!
@@nursejoeyluc : And that will just give the idiots incentive to keep doing idiotic things. Didn’t EMS has to waste the resources & time to rescue 3 more idiots from Haiku stairs about a month or so ago? I hope they get hefty fines.
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
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.
This is SUPER well done man!! Loved here for years and it’s a major issue, most people don’t understand why the other side feels the way they do. It needs to be talked about more🤙🏼 well done!
Unfortunately, people will die no matter what we do in situations like this, but MORE people will die if the current situation is allowed to continue. I get that they're worried about liability, but that concern is going to get people killed, as they break the rules and interact with unmonitored, unmaintained trails. As for the risk that led to this situation, as Bilbo Baggins once said, "[it's] a dangerous business, Frodo, going out your door." Living a good life, going out into the natural world and enjoying yourself, will always come with a bit of risk. I've been to Hawai'i, and hiked on many trails, legal and illegal, and some of them were downright scary. For example I went from Ke'e beach to Hanakoa falls on the Nāpali coast, and while it was a real banger of a hike, I was a bit shocked at how dangerous this extremely popular, and completely LEGAL trail was. One imprecise step, and you're a goner. But the experience was worth the risk. I mean, experiences aren't always worth the risk...there are things I probably won't do in my life, certainly not BASE jumping, and probably not skydiving either (though I'm not completely ruling it out). But hiking, enjoying natural beauty and creating amazing memories? That's always worth it. And if I die...I die. I've already cheated death once...I know that our time on Earth is limited, and I'm not going to let fear prevent me from living my life.
Very well done video/presentation! Another topic related to this issue is the cost of rescues when people get into trouble because they were not fit enough, were unprepared and, yes, trespassing. Helicopters, rescue teams, EMS; the costs add up and a lot of folks here resent that we have to pick up the tab. This is not about someone on an open trail that has an unfortunate accident. It's about people who consciously trespass, do not make adequate preparations and those who are unreasonable about their capabilities.
An amazing piece of work, Aidin. It's pretty sad in my opinion, that there's a huge "lawsuit culture" in the States. Something wrong, just a minor thing, with a medical case - boom, a physician gets a lawsuit filed against. You don't get on well with your neighbour - just find X and file a lawsuit against him, against the policemen, against anyone, any... thing. You don't get that in the other parts of the world, you just don't.
it is extremely unfortunately and it is thanks to the incredibly stupid laws in here and how every state can create their own laws to abide by...a lot of loopholes and infinite opportunist looking to take advantage of the system..its sad! ..common sense is not a thing in the states unfortunately
You don’t even live in the States, you’re not really at liberty to make kind of statements like that when they’re not really occurring to the extent that you think they are. In this case, it may seem that way, but it’s literally just the state government of Hawaii that fits your narrative.
@@Anewevisual I have a very close family living from 3 generations in the states, have been more than a dozen of times there and spent a considereble chunk of my life in america. I’ve also visited many different parts of the world and unfortunately i can see it.
@@Anewevisual Generally information can be gathered from reports without living in a place. Though it's certainly better to take the local situation I to account.
Absolutely gorgeous video with some awesome points. My worthless opinion is people need to take personal responsibility. You shouldn't have to be told that it can be dangerous to go hike. Shoot, there's people that go hiking here in Kansas and disappear or get hurt or killed. There are exceptions that I'm probably too dumb to think up, but unless the state is actively dropping the ball or breaking a contract of some kind, it's up to the adventurer to judge and negate the risks from the moment they step out their door.
Interesting discussion. I've had this thought a few times recently - once about a very dangerous plant that is all over the eastern Australian rainforest, and once about some seriously rough terrain. The plant causes a burning sting that can stay for months, but it's really important to the ecosystem so it doesn't get removed. The terrain had a gate with a sign that clearly says what you're getting into, and you have to push past the heavy gate to access the trail, so you can't claim you didn't see the sign. Both of these things will have been ignored and people will get into trouble, but I don't think they should be banned because of it. If you ignore the warnings, then you are responsible for the consequences.
Aidin, great info! I did a similar video (though much less detailed) on this topic back in April 2022 regarding the "Green Sand Beach" on Big Island of Hawaii. Though your video answers quite a few questions I had as well on this. I found the exact same thing....it's definitely going un-policed or unenforced and when I called the dept. in charge of the 'Green Sand Beaches' I was told people keep ripping out the 'No Trespassing' signs. Your video gives a lot more insight into this issue.....now all makes sense. Thanks!
You know what’s even more funny, at one point we had heavy rainfall during summer and tourists sued the state cuz it rained a lot during their vacation 🤭🤭
Been meaning to catch up on your videos so I just binged a bunch of them - absolutely killing it dude! This was super interesting and the B-Roll was FIRE.
This will be the kind of video Johnny Harris make when he becomes Peter McKinnon 😁 👍👌🏼 Breathtaking visuals , amazing transitions , cool grading and story telling .
Amazing work as always. I would suggest people who want to hike these trails take a crash course and verify that they did it. Then sign an online waiver noting the state of Hawaii is not liable for any death/injuries that may occur on the hike.
The Haiku Stairs aka Stairway to Heaven, is guarded. I gather that there is a huge monetary fine, plus multiple mandatory court appearances if you get busted. The “State” really doesn’t want hikers going up there - especially tourists.
I learned a couple things here. Having been to sacred falls most recently about a decade ago, you feel quite vulnerable walking the river with giant walls on both sides. But also the spirit of that fateful day is so hard to put out of mine. At the beginning of the hike there is a first road. When we were on it a white truck flew bye so when we moved over to the side I scraped myself on barbed wire pretty bad. Put some anti Celtic someone had and Washed it at the falls. But still. Never been back since even thou we are 5 min away. Never been to stairway to heaven. We hear people do get ticketed there more often because people have to cut through real private property. Olomana is hell a sketchy. Especially going last the first peak to the second and third. There’s been some major injuries there more recently. Hawaii needs great hikes.
You don't have to point the finger. I will, as you said, tourist who are unprepared always getting hurt because of their own fault than blames it on someone else. That's so stupid.
Not gonna lie, I have lived in Hawaii all my 50+ years and thought...great, another selfish tourist / social media person who is gonna do illegal stuff and just not get it. Gotta admit, I was completely wrong. This guy did his homework and presents a very nuanced piece of work. Kudo's to him and I appreciate that he didn't do or at the very least didn't document and broadcast doing any of the closed hikes.
My family has been living on Kauai and raising our families here since the early 1900’s, and to see so many beautiful places closed down and made inaccessible is sad. I’ve grown up hearing about the Waipahe’e natural water slide and the beautiful reservoir that families used to hang out at, but I’ll probably never get to take my daughter or my nieces or nephews to see it. I’ve only been there once and I had to sneak in. But at the same time I can understand not wanting to be sued for millions. This whole situation breeds resentment in the local people towards tourists, cause while people leave Hawaii with their settlement money, the locals are left with a home their not even allowed to explore and enjoy with their families. I personally stopped giving out instructions on how to get to some spots for this specific reason. With RUclips videos giving instructions on how to get to our most sacred spot on the island, I won’t be surprised when that gets closed down too…
The idea of illegal hiking is INSANE. People on foot should be free to go anywhere they want with very limited exceptions (wildlife preservation areas, for example). But you should not be able to sue because you went into nature and got hurt. That's also insane.
One of many things destroyed for the many by a few wanting to litigate rather than accept responsibility for the dangers they or their family put themselves in. An unfortunate outcome possibly created by the insurance mindset that if something bad happens then someone else should always pay…. Great video! Just discovered your channel and really enjoying it, thanks!
I lived on Oahu for a number of years. And without fail, someone either died or was severely injured on the island on the "forbidden" trails. But they still did it regardless of the signage posted about the dangers. When I was there, I remember a case where the "tourist", despite the warning signs, went out to the blowhole on the south end. The seas were high and rough since it was summer. So this fellow decided to place his body directly above the blowhole. Needless to say he died as a result of the damage to his body from the force of the wave ejected out of the blowhole. His parents sued the state of Hawaii stating there was not enough warnings signs. I honestly don't remember if they won or lost the lawsuit. But every year some body falls or dies attempting these hikes. The volcanic geology is very crumbly and unstable after its rains. And it rains alot on the mountains of Oahu.
🤡🤡🤡🤡who post those photos on social media on banned trails are selfish and narcissistic, they don’t care about rules or protecting environment or endangered animals who reside on these trails. Let whatever bad happens to these 🤡🤡🤡 happen then they can’t harm other banned trails. Disregard the lawsuits and park services shouldn’t help them
I feel like there’s better ways to handle risk than what’s currently happening (which just seems like a lose lose) . I live in Colorado where it’s arguably more dangerous and we don’t suffer with this problem with that being said the most dangerous trails here only draw experienced hikers.
I'd assume a big part of it is that parks and their infrastructure were generally made in the 30s-50s like here on the continent and most are worn out and there's just no money to repair. Was funny to visit Multomah Falls up in Oregon, where one way or another, money is actually spent on attraction maintenance. It was better than falls in Yosemite simply because the trail had had constant work and improvement instead of rotting away for the last 90 years.
i believe nature should be a human right. it is healthy and a part of us. any accidents that happen to people in nature should be considered no ones fault and it should be considered basic knowledge to be aware of the risk of stepping outside.
I think the first step is to change legislation so that the State isn’t directly liable for people engaging in inherently risky behaviour. Additionally, they should establish some kinda of organization to maintain and manage these trails. Ideally this would be done by volunteers and other people who are dedicated and knowledgeable to the sport of hiking. Lastly there should be adequate signage, maps and information about the trails and the danger they pose.
There is a bit of a grey area when it comes to risks like rockfalls and avalanches. Generally these risks are seen as hard to perceive by your typical hiker, it's not going to be immediately obvious that the risk is there, so it could be argued that adequate warning of the hazard is a responsibility of the trail maintainers, and if possible monitoring of the risk so suitable action can be taken such as trail diversion or closure when the risk is sufficiently elevated. But clearly that cannot extend to every potential hazard in the great outdoors, people don't want signs everywhere warning of every danger, and you don't want this kind of situation where trails are closed over the slightest risk.
Blame the courts on this one, the judge that awarded those lawsuits rather than tossing them out as "force majeure". The litigous nature of people these days, coupled with the courts that allow such cases to be awarded, leads to rash decisions of people in charge to create rules or "close" nature. It breeds contempt of rules to close access that people consider a freedom....to enjoy the outdoors by climbing a mountain or going to the beach, or going and looking at waterfalls. It's sad that things like this happen and people don't realize that "nature is potentially dangerous". It's wild. That's why it's nature! If you go into nature, it's on YOU, not on anyone else.
You enter the spirit world when you enter the mountains of Hawaii. This is no joke. Ask any State of Hawaii Park Ranger and they'll strongly advise you; Don't take anything, rock, pebble, shard of wood. You don't want incur the wrath of the normally friendly spirits., much less the malevolent ones.
"It's an unspoken rule" for jerks that think rules don't apply to them and think it's okay to disrespect kapu (i.e. entitled mainlanders). The overtourism on O'ahu is an absolute tragedy. Just a few years ago I went back to visit family and wanted to hike Manoa Falls. Imagine my shock to see bus-loads of tourists, tour-groups renting out hiking sticks, a completely graveled trail, and idiots climbing the rock face of the falls.... hammering pitons into it! I'm glad I left so I don't have to see my hometown ruined in real-time.
The problem is, in the US, thanks to judges, even people trespassing, get hurt, sue, still win in court. A piece of private property in my town had clearly posted no trespassing signs, kid trespassed, climbed a tree, fell, broke his arm. Mom sued the property owner, won a big chunk of cash. Next thing you know, the property was clear cut, and is now an empty field. So even trespassing isn't a shield from liability lawsuits.
Also what a lot of tourists don't realize some of them are sacred places as well and have old temples that were built out of rocks. Back then they were used for rituals or only high ranking chiefs could be in that area. For example, sacred falls has that name for a reason, Pali lookout, ect. If we had more tourists actually try to respect our land and culture instead of thinking were some playground then it would be less of a problem. But thank you for talking about over tourism as well. Its hard as a native Hawaiian born and raised here to enjoy any hike without it being super crowded!!!
Let me get this straight, a precedence gets set that because the state failed to post adequate signage removing their liability. So the solution is to then setup a bunch of fencing and SIGNS that indicate that the trail is closed? Am I the only one that thinks if they're going to just keep doing this, that they should just post signage at trail heads advising of the inherent risks in hiking ANY trail? Couldn't they post these signs with a disclaimer that indemnifies them from liability and holds hikers accountable? Maybe it's just me, but when it's just you and the wilderness, you are responsible for the entire situation you find yourself in, and you should be adequately prepared... Then again, my Province's parks department is on the brink of trying to take legal action against AllTrails because they believe it encourages uneducated and unprepared people to explore the wilderness. I can't say I disagree with that assessment, as the number of people with their faces glued to their phones while on trails has gone up significantly in the last few years...
Love this, as someone living on Kauaʻi with family here, I appreciate your work putting this out. Also if you come to Kauaʻi Iʻd love to grab coffee or go on a good hike haha.
We used to have "sovereign immunity" for things like this -- sovereign immunity means you can't sue the State for your injuries. This concept was hundreds of years old, far older than the United States (the concept came from Great Britain). When we had sovereign immunity, you had to carry your own insurance. The concept, however, has been eroded or outright repealed over the years, though, and now is practically nonexistent. The resulting lawsuits are the reason for closed trails, teachers unable to maintain discipline in the classroom, including the State in all kinds of automobile accidents and increased taxes -- because WE THE TAXPAYERS are the ones who actually pay for these gigantic lawsuits. We need to return to full sovereign immunity and let people pay for their own insurance.
My answer to his question is YES. If places are worried about other people mistakes then I wouldn't be able to do the things I love, rockclimb, explore, backpack, ski
I experienced this same 🤔 while on Maui a few years ago and did my own research to figure out why. It's unfortunate that a better compromise can't be reached with trails in Hawaii.
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.
Yeah when I was in Hawaii we weren't allowed to leave campus without an islander who knows the trail, the one time we did sneak off we were lost for 4 hours (I wasn't the group was and I was 13 so nobody listened) we ended up on the wrong side of Maui
Like maybe don't hike volcanos, just a thought lmfao
This is what I was thinking! I've done a couple of hikes that were partly closed off and I always found super dangerous situations, such as falling trees etc. (I didn't go to the closed off area but could see them for example from the rerouted path). I would be way too scared to trespass in this sense, but on the other hand "if everyone else is doing it..."
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.
The U.S. National Parks have that, these hikes aren't generally part of the major parks though
Washington (the state) has a similar system for its more popular trails, but not all trails. But i feel that Hawaii needs to change its laws so that hikers assume the risk and pull liability away from the state. Even posting a sign at trailheads like "By passing this sign, you accept liability on the trail. Sc.12345"
TAS parks pass is different to what the video was showing.
In Austria it is commonplace to get some free pass or reduced prices on lots of stuff when you book a local accommodation. I think a national park pass may be a great way to foster responsible tourism via this model. You could provide free passes to people booking accommodations that are environmentally friendly or whatever other important criterion you want to use.
That might be complicated to implement since it sounds like there is already a legal precedent for the state to be held liable. Idk if there'd be issues or not if Hawaii would want to just start claiming no liability if the legal precedent is already there? But if not, I agree it'd be a great idea!
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.
People die in the mountains everywhere in the world not just scotland😂idk why ppl have to bring up their country for no reason all the time
@@MultiSneakerLover Hes literally talking about how the Scottish government successfully handled the very issue covered in the video my dude
@@MultiSneakerLover maybe if you had any comprehension skills you'd understand that they very much had reason to bring up their country and continued to make a relevant and interesting point. Not all countries see adventuring the same.
@@MultiSneakerLover your off the short bus I see
@@88heiling You're a neonazi dude, the special ed kids are geniuses compared to your drooling idiocy.
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
I'm from Hawaii too and I can confirm that this is true!
Except it's not accurate...
@@nk-dw2hmexplain why please! Just curious 🙏🏼
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.
Oregon? The Devil's Gorge or 300ft cliffs without a small rail was unreal. Added to the beauty and shows trust in the people to not be stupid or suicidal.
It's crybaby culture at it's worst. If I wanna "risk my life" for a nice walk and fresh air then I'm going to do it.
Then, the state should not be sued by the family members of the dead. Additionally, emergency service personnel should not have to risk their lives to go rescue the stranded hikers.
HIKE AT YOUR OWN RISK!
@@T.S.000The people risking their lives to rescue these people are also there by choice. They could pursue a career as a regular paramedic, or doctor, but instead chose a career in rescue. Some are even volunteer rescue units. They are people who have a real passion for what they do. I hope you find a career where you can feel the same.
@@Fpvpilot928 : While it is true that the rescuers volunteered for the job, but I think that they are better to serve people that did not do the illegal act. The rescuers should just let the hikers that, voluntarily, go on illegal hikes save themselves or let the nature does its things.
Do you think it is right that the family of stranded hikers could sue the state for the idiotic act, and taxpayers have to pay the settlement?
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.” 🤦♂️
Do you think the judge in that case was an idiot? They awarded the family 8 million because the state WAS at fault for not putting up warnings about hazards
@@Leto_0 WARNING: Walking on the edge of a cliff puts you at risk of falling of said cliff. WARNING: Those large boulders at the bottom of waterfalls were once on top of said waterfall…. there are more boulders up there. WARNING: Being under water will make it difficult to breathe. WARNING: A dirt path into the mountains does not equal safe.
@@CSLintheCASINO A freaking landslide happened and here you are comparing it with putting a plastic bag over your head or standing to close to and edge of a cliff. landslide come out of nowhere. You get caught in them simply for being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Warning tourists of dangerous trails is not that hard to grasp. Especially as tourists are not locals and most likely are not aware of areas that are prone to landslides. You know what would help make them aware of that? Some signs. After that it's up on them to assess the risk.
@@bd5067 I did not know what the specific incident was that this video refers to. It’s a tragedy for sure. Very sad. However, those rocks at the bottom of the cliff/mountain used to be on top of the cliff/mountain.
Do people also need sign on the beach that warn that waves exist and can drown people? Oh wait, yes we have those because of people that sue because they can’t comprehend the danger without a sign telling them so 🤦♂️
Oh gods don't tell me this is relevant I'm still on commercials,
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.
the state could claim sovereign immunity from these lawsuits or at a minimum, pass a law to immunize themselves.
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.
Lawyers lobbying the government to allow people to continue suing the government/private property owners. No jokes that's literally the reason why.
@@shinigami052 couldn't the state simply pass a law to make themselves immune from these lawsuits?
@@anthonyc8499 They could, they tried, but there are some legislatures who are also attorneys, and not only that, they are personal injury attorneys so they voted against a bill making the state or other property owners immune from lawsuits due to people hiking on their land.
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.)
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.
I guess part of the problem is if you don't offer up enough reasonable alternatives, people will ignore the closures entirely.
Actually, in Hawaii they (those who need rescuing) don’t pay for the associated fees for their rescue. It’s actually a relatively current topic as there has been discussion about whether this should be changed.
@@kacieho6011 oh ty for the information then that's a big problem
@@kacieho6011 It's a problem here in Colorado too. I was a volunteer member of the local search and rescue unit for 6.5 years, and people are never charged for rescues. But some people (from afar) fail to pay the bill for the ambulance that we would take them to (if needed), so the city added an extra sales tax to pay for the unpaid ambulance bills. So, I'd pay extra on my coffee after getting back from a volunteer rescue.
As a society we should keep those trials open and let them trials weed out the dumb ones
this hit waaaaay 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.
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.
But then what if the state wants to close a trail for another reason, like wildlife protection? You've created a dynamic of people just ignoring all closures.
@@bearcubdaycare Then they need to do a better job enforcing it - ticketing people who trespass.
@@bearcubdaycare Too bad honestly. This is peoples fault trying to blame natural accidents on the state lmao
@@MeyaRoseGirl what would be more profitable and honorable is if the state issued permits with a contract stating that they are not liable for anything that goes wrong. The state would immediately acquire funds to start maintaining and patrolling the area, and would allow the state to somewhat control the influx of visitors.
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!
That will be out in a couple of weeks! POV shots in this one were shot on the DJI Action 2 🤌
@@AidinRobbins looking forward to it man. Keep up the great work 👌🏻
@@tedclutter1767 lol, your so salty your going to every comment that compliments the video quality and leaving hate! News flash bud, in todays world of tick tock videos and everything being recorded on phones most people don't even know the difference and or don't care. The video looks good by youtube standards, give it a rest and let people give the kid a damn compliment, geez.
nerd, this video is about the content, not your obsession. you said nothing about the topic, the actual content of the video. that's why i despise single-issue fanatics
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!
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
It's a shame that so many trails are shut down! Enjoyed the video very well put together 🌲
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.
And emergency service personnel should not have to risk their lives to go rescue the stranded hikers.
HIKE AT YOUR OWN RISK!
@@T.S.000 That's what the EMS system is here for though. Plenty of other messed up situations people caused by themselves come from many different situations.
Gotta at least try to help them all!
@@nursejoeyluc : And that will just give the idiots incentive to keep doing idiotic things.
Didn’t EMS has to waste the resources & time to rescue 3 more idiots from Haiku stairs about a month or so ago? I hope they get hefty fines.
@@T.S.000 you better pray it never happens to you. Of course they were given a hefty bill for EMS rescue. Chill out before you become the idiot.
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
Well, it would be, if there were any open trails.
@@bomtrady3133 if only there was a way around how to get there? Maybe climb the fence? Or just ignore the sign?
@@A_barrel yeah that’s great. Just how I want to spend a Saturday. Getting arrested after my hike.
@@bomtrady3133 he literally says in the video people are doing it all the time and barely getting citations for it.
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.
This is SUPER well done man!! Loved here for years and it’s a major issue, most people don’t understand why the other side feels the way they do. It needs to be talked about more🤙🏼 well done!
Lived
In fact on Sunday, one hiker hiking off the Lanikai pillbox trail actually fell 40 feet and died
Unfortunately, people will die no matter what we do in situations like this, but MORE people will die if the current situation is allowed to continue. I get that they're worried about liability, but that concern is going to get people killed, as they break the rules and interact with unmonitored, unmaintained trails.
As for the risk that led to this situation, as Bilbo Baggins once said, "[it's] a dangerous business, Frodo, going out your door." Living a good life, going out into the natural world and enjoying yourself, will always come with a bit of risk. I've been to Hawai'i, and hiked on many trails, legal and illegal, and some of them were downright scary. For example I went from Ke'e beach to Hanakoa falls on the Nāpali coast, and while it was a real banger of a hike, I was a bit shocked at how dangerous this extremely popular, and completely LEGAL trail was. One imprecise step, and you're a goner. But the experience was worth the risk. I mean, experiences aren't always worth the risk...there are things I probably won't do in my life, certainly not BASE jumping, and probably not skydiving either (though I'm not completely ruling it out). But hiking, enjoying natural beauty and creating amazing memories? That's always worth it. And if I die...I die. I've already cheated death once...I know that our time on Earth is limited, and I'm not going to let fear prevent me from living my life.
you're an inspiration for me . you are consistent, you're quality is top notch and i don't have any words for color grading.
i always love your color grading
Very well done video/presentation!
Another topic related to this issue is the cost of rescues when people get into trouble because they were not fit enough, were unprepared and, yes, trespassing. Helicopters, rescue teams, EMS; the costs add up and a lot of folks here resent that we have to pick up the tab.
This is not about someone on an open trail that has an unfortunate accident. It's about people who consciously trespass, do not make adequate preparations and those who are unreasonable about their capabilities.
Such an amazing video. Cinematography and Color grading are top notch. However the way he tells his story , that’s what’s captivating!
dude just made a documentary on the situation. Dmm i love your filmmaking skills
I remember that lighthouse from the beginning when i used to live on oahu, it was just two miles from where i used to live.
You’re so gooood I’ve been binge watching your channel this week
An amazing piece of work, Aidin.
It's pretty sad in my opinion, that there's a huge "lawsuit culture" in the States. Something wrong, just a minor thing, with a medical case - boom, a physician gets a lawsuit filed against. You don't get on well with your neighbour - just find X and file a lawsuit against him, against the policemen, against anyone, any... thing.
You don't get that in the other parts of the world, you just don't.
it is extremely unfortunately and it is thanks to the incredibly stupid laws in here and how every state can create their own laws to abide by...a lot of loopholes and infinite opportunist looking to take advantage of the system..its sad! ..common sense is not a thing in the states unfortunately
You don’t even live in the States, you’re not really at liberty to make kind of statements like that when they’re not really occurring to the extent that you think they are. In this case, it may seem that way, but it’s literally just the state government of Hawaii that fits your narrative.
@@Anewevisual I have a very close family living from 3 generations in the states, have been more than a dozen of times there and spent a considereble chunk of my life in america. I’ve also visited many different parts of the world and unfortunately i can see it.
@@Anewevisual Generally information can be gathered from reports without living in a place. Though it's certainly better to take the local situation I to account.
America is literally a country made by lawyers….what else you expect?
Absolutely gorgeous video with some awesome points. My worthless opinion is people need to take personal responsibility. You shouldn't have to be told that it can be dangerous to go hike. Shoot, there's people that go hiking here in Kansas and disappear or get hurt or killed. There are exceptions that I'm probably too dumb to think up, but unless the state is actively dropping the ball or breaking a contract of some kind, it's up to the adventurer to judge and negate the risks from the moment they step out their door.
Interesting discussion. I've had this thought a few times recently - once about a very dangerous plant that is all over the eastern Australian rainforest, and once about some seriously rough terrain. The plant causes a burning sting that can stay for months, but it's really important to the ecosystem so it doesn't get removed. The terrain had a gate with a sign that clearly says what you're getting into, and you have to push past the heavy gate to access the trail, so you can't claim you didn't see the sign. Both of these things will have been ignored and people will get into trouble, but I don't think they should be banned because of it. If you ignore the warnings, then you are responsible for the consequences.
Holy shit this video is incredible man
Agreed, he absolutely dominated. I'm so impressed by this film.
Appreciate you man! 🥲
Aidin, great info! I did a similar video (though much less detailed) on this topic back in April 2022 regarding the "Green Sand Beach" on Big Island of Hawaii. Though your video answers quite a few questions I had as well on this. I found the exact same thing....it's definitely going un-policed or unenforced and when I called the dept. in charge of the 'Green Sand Beaches' I was told people keep ripping out the 'No Trespassing' signs. Your video gives a lot more insight into this issue.....now all makes sense. Thanks!
Ever since I went to hawaii I've been wondering this - thanks for doing the research!
You know what’s even more funny, at one point we had heavy rainfall during summer and tourists sued the state cuz it rained a lot during their vacation 🤭🤭
I was totally justified doing that! Hawaii falsely advertised it was a sunny place
@@blindbrad4719 you can't be serious 😂
@@blindbrad4719 Florida is the sunshine state, and we're quite capable of doing sun and rain at the same time. It makes for one hell of a steambath.
@@oilyoynks3887 don't worry, it won't bankrupt them…, There is a payment plan
@@Primalxbeast I heard the rain in Florida was just Florida man using dynamite to fish.
New Hampshire and Maine have warning signs regarding the hazards as well as rescue costs being pinned on the victim, maybe Hawaii should follow
Been meaning to catch up on your videos so I just binged a bunch of them - absolutely killing it dude! This was super interesting and the B-Roll was FIRE.
Instagram killed those trails. Way too many people on too few trails. Oahu hiking is a nightmare.
This will be the kind of video Johnny Harris make when he becomes Peter McKinnon 😁 👍👌🏼
Breathtaking visuals , amazing transitions , cool grading and story telling .
Haha definitely some influence from both of those lads here 👌
Im from Kauai, and people fall off cliffs/water falls all the time. They also drown all the time too. Hawaii is no joke when it comes to safety.
Amazing work as always. I would suggest people who want to hike these trails take a crash course and verify that they did it. Then sign an online waiver noting the state of Hawaii is not liable for any death/injuries that may occur on the hike.
The Haiku Stairs aka Stairway to Heaven, is guarded. I gather that there is a huge monetary fine, plus multiple mandatory court appearances if you get busted. The “State” really doesn’t want hikers going up there - especially tourists.
I learned a couple things here. Having been to sacred falls most recently about a decade ago, you feel quite vulnerable walking the river with giant walls on both sides. But also the spirit of that fateful day is so hard to put out of mine. At the beginning of the hike there is a first road. When we were on it a white truck flew bye so when we moved over to the side I scraped myself on barbed wire pretty bad. Put some anti Celtic someone had and Washed it at the falls. But still. Never been back since even thou we are 5 min away.
Never been to stairway to heaven. We hear people do get ticketed there more often because people have to cut through real private property.
Olomana is hell a sketchy. Especially going last the first peak to the second and third. There’s been some major injuries there more recently.
Hawaii needs great hikes.
Aiden!!! I was just here!!! I actually went to Maui, but I’m so glad you’re having a fun time at Oahu!
The natural scenery is very cool....a very lush forest...a very beautiful beach...a stunning waterfall...
The cinematic video... so cool..
You don't have to point the finger. I will, as you said, tourist who are unprepared always getting hurt because of their own fault than blames it on someone else. That's so stupid.
Man I miss living on island and all the hikes we did.... Looks like a congrats might in order for making it up three peaks too.!
Love this style of video. First video I’ve clicked on of yours for a while and would love to keep watching this type of content! Love it
Not gonna lie, I have lived in Hawaii all my 50+ years and thought...great, another selfish tourist / social media person who is gonna do illegal stuff and just not get it.
Gotta admit, I was completely wrong. This guy did his homework and presents a very nuanced piece of work. Kudo's to him and I appreciate that he didn't do or at the very least didn't document and broadcast doing any of the closed hikes.
My family has been living on Kauai and raising our families here since the early 1900’s, and to see so many beautiful places closed down and made inaccessible is sad. I’ve grown up hearing about the Waipahe’e natural water slide and the beautiful reservoir that families used to hang out at, but I’ll probably never get to take my daughter or my nieces or nephews to see it. I’ve only been there once and I had to sneak in. But at the same time I can understand not wanting to be sued for millions. This whole situation breeds resentment in the local people towards tourists, cause while people leave Hawaii with their settlement money, the locals are left with a home their not even allowed to explore and enjoy with their families. I personally stopped giving out instructions on how to get to some spots for this specific reason. With RUclips videos giving instructions on how to get to our most sacred spot on the island, I won’t be surprised when that gets closed down too…
The idea of illegal hiking is INSANE. People on foot should be free to go anywhere they want with very limited exceptions (wildlife preservation areas, for example). But you should not be able to sue because you went into nature and got hurt. That's also insane.
great cinematography Aidin! well set and nicely narrated! Cheers!
One of many things destroyed for the many by a few wanting to litigate rather than accept responsibility for the dangers they or their family put themselves in. An unfortunate outcome possibly created by the insurance mindset that if something bad happens then someone else should always pay…. Great video! Just discovered your channel and really enjoying it, thanks!
I lived on Oahu for a number of years. And without fail, someone either died or was severely injured on the island on the "forbidden" trails. But they still did it regardless of the signage posted about the dangers. When I was there, I remember a case where the "tourist", despite the warning signs, went out to the blowhole on the south end. The seas were high and rough since it was summer. So this fellow decided to place his body directly above the blowhole. Needless to say he died as a result of the damage to his body from the force of the wave ejected out of the blowhole. His parents sued the state of Hawaii stating there was not enough warnings signs. I honestly don't remember if they won or lost the lawsuit. But every year some body falls or dies attempting these hikes. The volcanic geology is very crumbly and unstable after its rains. And it rains alot on the mountains of Oahu.
🤡🤡🤡🤡who post those photos on social media on banned trails are selfish and narcissistic, they don’t care about rules or protecting environment or endangered animals who reside on these trails. Let whatever bad happens to these 🤡🤡🤡 happen then they can’t harm other banned trails. Disregard the lawsuits and park services shouldn’t help them
The people who sued the state and the judges who sided with them are 100% to blame.
You can pretty much blame Hawaii’s relax legal system
WOW these videos are absolute GRADE A
This is another reason of several others I won’t spend my travel dollars in Hawaii. That’s 10,000 they won’t make off me.
I feel like there’s better ways to handle risk than what’s currently happening (which just seems like a lose lose) . I live in Colorado where it’s arguably more dangerous and we don’t suffer with this problem with that being said the most dangerous trails here only draw experienced hikers.
I'd assume a big part of it is that parks and their infrastructure were generally made in the 30s-50s like here on the continent and most are worn out and there's just no money to repair. Was funny to visit Multomah Falls up in Oregon, where one way or another, money is actually spent on attraction maintenance. It was better than falls in Yosemite simply because the trail had had constant work and improvement instead of rotting away for the last 90 years.
i believe nature should be a human right. it is healthy and a part of us. any accidents that happen to people in nature should be considered no ones fault and it should be considered basic knowledge to be aware of the risk of stepping outside.
Very impressive! That is a trip of a lifetime! Sights never to be forgotten...awesome!
One of your best videos. I love this information/travel style videos. Almost has a Johnny Harris vibe but totally your own. Keep it up!
Visually: The best video of your channel
BTW You are sooo Underrated
I wish your video go viral(in trending) ASAP!
Hat's off to you!
I think the first step is to change legislation so that the State isn’t directly liable for people engaging in inherently risky behaviour. Additionally, they should establish some kinda of organization to maintain and manage these trails. Ideally this would be done by volunteers and other people who are dedicated and knowledgeable to the sport of hiking. Lastly there should be adequate signage, maps and information about the trails and the danger they pose.
Stunning cinematic images! Nature is wild and when we experience it all kinds of things can happen. That’s just the way it is.
wow, didnt know about that, awesome story teller Aidin, keep it up man, cozy vibe as always
i love that everything is closed, less randos on the trails so my drone footage is pristine
its just a way the city is protecting itself, and also, being able to sue the city when hurting on hike trails is crazzzzy
Blame Hawaii liberated court’s system
What an unfortunate precedent. This is what happens when people who should be on a cruise or at a theme park venture onto a hiking trail.
There is a bit of a grey area when it comes to risks like rockfalls and avalanches. Generally these risks are seen as hard to perceive by your typical hiker, it's not going to be immediately obvious that the risk is there, so it could be argued that adequate warning of the hazard is a responsibility of the trail maintainers, and if possible monitoring of the risk so suitable action can be taken such as trail diversion or closure when the risk is sufficiently elevated. But clearly that cannot extend to every potential hazard in the great outdoors, people don't want signs everywhere warning of every danger, and you don't want this kind of situation where trails are closed over the slightest risk.
Dude! Awesome video. Keep going with this style of storytelling its super captivating !
That was an amazing video!!you definitely got my follow 🙂 So have the stairs already been successfully torn down?
Beautiful, informative and cinematic. You've really mastered your craft!
this was amazing. great production!
Blame the courts on this one, the judge that awarded those lawsuits rather than tossing them out as "force majeure". The litigous nature of people these days, coupled with the courts that allow such cases to be awarded, leads to rash decisions of people in charge to create rules or "close" nature. It breeds contempt of rules to close access that people consider a freedom....to enjoy the outdoors by climbing a mountain or going to the beach, or going and looking at waterfalls. It's sad that things like this happen and people don't realize that "nature is potentially dangerous". It's wild. That's why it's nature! If you go into nature, it's on YOU, not on anyone else.
Hopefully this doesn’t become the norm in Australia! Thanks to the lawyers for making all the Park authorities gun shy! 😬
You enter the spirit world when you enter the mountains of Hawaii. This is no joke. Ask any State of Hawaii Park Ranger and they'll strongly advise you; Don't take anything, rock, pebble, shard of wood. You don't want incur the wrath of the normally friendly spirits., much less the malevolent ones.
"It's an unspoken rule" for jerks that think rules don't apply to them and think it's okay to disrespect kapu (i.e. entitled mainlanders). The overtourism on O'ahu is an absolute tragedy. Just a few years ago I went back to visit family and wanted to hike Manoa Falls. Imagine my shock to see bus-loads of tourists, tour-groups renting out hiking sticks, a completely graveled trail, and idiots climbing the rock face of the falls.... hammering pitons into it! I'm glad I left so I don't have to see my hometown ruined in real-time.
This video is great, I'll bet it pops off soon
Sooo good bro 🔥
nicely presented piece of journalism. well done
It's only illegal if they catch you 😉 Great video Aidin!
Excellent storytelling! Had me captured the whole way thru!
Is the B footage just before the 1 minute mark playing in reverse? That water DEFINITELY looks like it’s falling UP! 😹
The problem is, in the US, thanks to judges, even people trespassing, get hurt, sue, still win in court. A piece of private property in my town had clearly posted no trespassing signs, kid trespassed, climbed a tree, fell, broke his arm. Mom sued the property owner, won a big chunk of cash. Next thing you know, the property was clear cut, and is now an empty field. So even trespassing isn't a shield from liability lawsuits.
Also what a lot of tourists don't realize some of them are sacred places as well and have old temples that were built out of rocks. Back then they were used for rituals or only high ranking chiefs could be in that area. For example, sacred falls has that name for a reason, Pali lookout, ect. If we had more tourists actually try to respect our land and culture instead of thinking were some playground then it would be less of a problem.
But thank you for talking about over tourism as well. Its hard as a native Hawaiian born and raised here to enjoy any hike without it being super crowded!!!
This is so well done Aidin! And a very interesting topic as well! 👏🏼
Let me get this straight, a precedence gets set that because the state failed to post adequate signage removing their liability. So the solution is to then setup a bunch of fencing and SIGNS that indicate that the trail is closed?
Am I the only one that thinks if they're going to just keep doing this, that they should just post signage at trail heads advising of the inherent risks in hiking ANY trail? Couldn't they post these signs with a disclaimer that indemnifies them from liability and holds hikers accountable?
Maybe it's just me, but when it's just you and the wilderness, you are responsible for the entire situation you find yourself in, and you should be adequately prepared... Then again, my Province's parks department is on the brink of trying to take legal action against AllTrails because they believe it encourages uneducated and unprepared people to explore the wilderness. I can't say I disagree with that assessment, as the number of people with their faces glued to their phones while on trails has gone up significantly in the last few years...
Love this, as someone living on Kauaʻi with family here, I appreciate your work putting this out. Also if you come to Kauaʻi Iʻd love to grab coffee or go on a good hike haha.
Damn bro gret job. That last comment at the end made my skin shiver haha
Excellent work. I enjoy your videos.
We used to have "sovereign immunity" for things like this -- sovereign immunity means you can't sue the State for your injuries. This concept was hundreds of years old, far older than the United States (the concept came from Great Britain). When we had sovereign immunity, you had to carry your own insurance. The concept, however, has been eroded or outright repealed over the years, though, and now is practically nonexistent. The resulting lawsuits are the reason for closed trails, teachers unable to maintain discipline in the classroom, including the State in all kinds of automobile accidents and increased taxes -- because WE THE TAXPAYERS are the ones who actually pay for these gigantic lawsuits. We need to return to full sovereign immunity and let people pay for their own insurance.
Good story telling and putting the question out there for debate
I am surprised how little the number of views is lately on the videos. They are one of my fav things to watch on YT.
Dayum!!! This video is an incredible work of art, man!
My answer to his question is YES. If places are worried about other people mistakes then I wouldn't be able to do the things I love, rockclimb, explore, backpack, ski
I experienced this same 🤔 while on Maui a few years ago and did my own research to figure out why. It's unfortunate that a better compromise can't be reached with trails in Hawaii.
👌😍🤩
Documentary style...you are ace at this... Feeling responsible as filmmaker