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Safety

Must Read Information & Resources

Driving to Hana or Kahakualoa
Before you leave:

Best to check the weather reports. Driving to these locations during heavy rains and high winds is strongly discouraged.
Make sure vehicle is filled with gas.
Bring Water, snacks & layered clothing.
Plan your trip’s itinerary. Marking stops and points of interest.
Clean shoes prior to trip to prevent introduction of invasive species.

Driving on the Road

Stick to your Planned Itinerary.
Obey no Trespassing Private Property signs.
Drive the speed limit.
Pull over in the nearest safe turn out, if 3 or more cars are behind you.
Never park or stop and block the road, especially on bridges or around blind corners.
Share the Driving, due to the stressful road way conditions.

Dubbed “The Divorce Highway,” the Road to Hana has an exhausting 617 hairpin curves and 59 unforgiving one-lane bridges, as well as many blind spots along the road. While HWY 360 to Kahakuloa has one lane cliff hugging road ways with no guard rails. Neither are for the faint of heart. We recommend serious consideration of a guided tour as opposed to driving to these destinations on your own. Save your relationship and the driving to the professionals. Click here for a list of permitted professionals.

Swim at Lifeguarded Beaches
Lifeguard Towers

South Side: Kamaole 1, 2, 3 Beach Parks, Makena State Park (a.k.a. Big Beach)
West Side: Hanakao’o Beach (a.k.a. Canoe Beach, DT Flemming Beach Park
North Shore: Kanaha Beach Park, HA Baldwin Beach Park, and Ho’okipa Beach Park
East Side: Hana Bay (Fridays during Summer and Winter Pals Program days only)

Looks can be deceiving – if no one is swimming, chances are it’s not a good swimming beach.

Never turn your back on the ocean.

Know your limits – many ocean activities can be strenuous.

Wave heights can increase quickly – if you find yourself in this situation, dive underneath the wave, come up behind it, then swim to shore between wave sets.

If you are under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol, you increase your risk of drowning while in the ocean.

If you are caught in a rip current, remain calm, go with the flow (don’t fight the current), once the rip current releases you (offshore), swim at an angle away from the current, towards the shore, call or signal for help.

Hazards exist in all coastal areas – when in doubt, don’t go out!

Coral reefs face many threats. Chemicals found in many sunscreens, such as oxybenzone, avobenzone, homosalate, octinoxate, octisalate, octocrylene, or nanoparticles are contributing to coral decline. By wearing protective clothing and choosing reef-friendly, mineral-based sunscreens, we can all help keep Maui’s beautiful coral and wildlife healthy.

Please don’t stand, step on, or touch coral – stay afloat when snorkeling.

Give all marine life plenty of space.

Hawaiʻi is the first state to ban the sale, offer of sale, or distribution of any SPF sunscreen protection personal care product that contains oxybenzone and/or octinoxate, without a licensed prescription (SB 2571).

* please heed all signage! Visit Maui Ocean’s Safety Website for more information

Warnings, Watches, Advisories and Outlooks

OUTLOOK: An outlook is issued when a hazardous weather or hydrologic event is possible in the next week. Outlooks are intended to raise awareness of the potential for significant weather that could lead to situations that may threaten life or property.

ADVISORY: An advisory is issued when a hazardous weather or hydrologic event is occurring, imminent, or likely. Advisories are for less serious conditions than warnings, that cause significant inconvenience and if caution is not exercised, could lead to situations that may threaten life or property.

WATCH: A watch is issued when the risk of a hazardous weather or hydrologic event has increased significantly, but its occurrence, location or timing is still uncertain. A watch means that hazardous weather is possible. People should have a plan of action in case a storm threatens, and they should listen for later information and possible warnings especially when planning travel or outdoor activities.

WARNING: A warning is issued when a hazardous weather or hydrologic event is occurring, imminent, or likely. A warning means weather conditions pose a threat to life or property. People in the path of the storm need to take protective action.

Helpful Hints:

Tune in to local radio or stations for the latest messages from the Maui County Civil Defense and/or National Weather Service.

In potential flood conditions, stay away from streams – even if it’s not raining, look inland (towards the mountain), if there are dark clouds, then it’s raining in the mountains and flash flooding can occur, especially in streams and rivers.

Turn around, don’t drown.

For National Weather Service automated recordings for the island of Maui, call 866-944-5025

Stay safe – stay informed!

Ocean Warning Signs
Waves breaking on sandbar
Waves Breaking on Sandbar

Waves breaking on shallow bottom created by sandbar; even small waves can cause serious neck and spinal injuries. No bodysurfing or bodyboarding.

High Surf
High Surf

Large, powerful waves generated by storms at sea.
This can cause serious neck and spinal injuries.
No bodysurfing or bodyboarding.

Dangerous Shore Break
Dangerous Shore Break

Waves are breaking directly on shore. Even small waves can cause serious neck and spinal injuries.
No bodysurfing or bodyboarding.

Strong Current
Strong Current

Swift moving channels of water that are difficult to swim against, even for experienced swimmers. Can pull swimmer out to sea, with risk of drowning. No swimming.

Toxic Marine Organisms
Man o’ War

Toxic marine organisms; can cause pain and allergic reactions. No swimming.

Beach Closed
Beach Closed

Extremely dangerous surf conditions. High risk of neck and spinal injuries and of drowning. Absolutely no swimming.

Red Flag
Red Flag

Indicates extremely dangerous conditions with high surf or high winds. No swimming.

Rules of the Road
Follow all posted speed limits.
Click It or Ticket

Hawaiʻi’s universal seat belt law requires that all front and back seat motor vehicle occupants buckle up. Adults and children must use their seat belts and child restraints at all times. The cost of a ticket for not buckling up is currently $102. The child passenger restraint law requires children under 4 years of age to ride in a child safety seat, and children between the ages of 4 and 8 years to ride in either a child safety seat or a booster seat. Violators of this law are required to attend a four-hour class and may be assessed a fine between $100 and $500 depending upon the number of offenses.

Handheld Electronic Devices

Using mobile electronic devices while operating a motor vehicle is illegal in Hawaiʻi. This includes cell phones, mp3 players, personal digital assistants, and navigation devices. The law also prohibits drivers from using hand-held mobile electronic devices when stopped at a red light or stop sign. Additionally, no person under the age of 18 may use a hands-free mobile electronic device while operating a motor vehicle. The fine starts at $257. Violations in school zones or construction areas are subject to a higher amount. The exception is for 9-1-1 emergency calls.

Helmet Laws

Motorcycle riders 17 years old and younger must wear a helmet. Bicycle riders under 16 years old must wear a helmet. Motor scooter riders 17 or younger must wear a helmet.

Trespass

Please be respectful and do not trespass onto private property. Be cognizant of “Private Property” or “No Trespass” signage, especially on agricultural lands that are neither enclosed nor designed to keep intruders out. You may also see “Government Property, No Trespass” signs along the boundaries and/or entry points of forested preserves.

For details on sanctioned hiking trails, please visit Nā Ala Hele Trail and Access, Department of Land and Natural Resources. Also Haleakala National Park offers trails that range in difficulty from easy walks to longer, more strenuous hikes.

Emergency Numbers

9-1-1  Serious medical problem, fire, life-threatening situation or crime in progress. Be aware of your location.
9-1-1 (text) Texting should only be done when you are unable to make a voice call

(808) 244-6400 Non-emergency, non-life-threatening. Hawai’i County Police Department

(808) 242-6966 Crime Stoppers – to provide anonymous tips. Maui County Police Department

(808) 244-5256  Coast Guard Search & Rescue

HOSPITAL

(808) 244-9056  Maui Memorial Hospital

URGENT CARE CLINICS

(808) 784-7271 Minit Medical – Kahului

(808) 664-1454 Minit Medical – Kihei

(808) 670-1994 Minit Medical – Lahaina

(808) 667-7676  Doctor’s on Call (@Hyatt on Ka’anapali Beach) .

(808) 248-8294  Hana Medical Center

(808) 874-8100  Kihei Wailea Medical Center

(808) 662-6900 Lahaina Kaiser Clinic

(808) 667-9721  West Maui Health Care Center

 

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