Sacred Falls State Park, once a popular hiking destination in Hawaii, has been closed since a devastating landslide in 1999 killed eight people. The landslide was triggered by pre-existing rockfall hazards in the steep valley walls, resulting in a horrific scene described by witnesses. Despite being a favorite among hikers, the extreme risks of rockfalls have led experts to believe it’s unsafe for reopening. Officials from the Hawaii Division of State Parks are doubtful that the park will ever welcome visitors again due to these ongoing dangers.
Hundreds of rocks came down, and it had a ping pong effect, bouncing off the wall. - Kenneth Silva, Honolulu fire department battalion chief.
The hazards from rockfall are just so extreme that it's just not responsible to allow people to go into that narrow gorge. - Alan Carpenter, Hawaii Division of State Parks.
There were bodies everywhere. I carried bodies live and dead, with head injuries, arms and legs broken, open skulls. - David Pahk, witness.
I don't think it will ever open as a state park again. - Alan Carpenter, Hawaii Division of State Parks.
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