A preventable tragedy at Maui’s infamous Wai’oka Pond

Barbed wire cattle gate at the entrance to Maui's Waioka Pond, Venus Pool, on the Road to Hana, Hana Hwy

A few years ago I posted my original interpretation of this event and received an overwhelming amount of feedback.  There is a lot of misinformation circling regarding the event itself and, in collaboration with the victim's family, have rewritten it to be as accurate as possible in regards to the day's events as well as respectful to those that have been affected by this tragedy.  Mahalo.

If you’re reading this, chances are you’re scouring the internet for super fun things to do on your trip to Maui. If you’re planning on doing the Road to Hãna, no doubt you’re mapping out the best stops along the way. Well, before you get too excited, do me a favor and read this quick article about a girl who was in your very shoes not long ago. It won’t take more than a minute but it just might save your life.

February 18, 2021

The year was 2021 and a 26 year old named Shannon was visiting the island with her boyfriend and two others. On the morning of February 18, they set out early on their drive to Hãna, looking forward to a full day of adventure along The Road to Hãna. They had checked the weather forecast before they left, as cell service can be spotty at best along the route – the forecast was good – clear without rain in and around Hãna. They were using a popular online guidebook, as well as social media apps to guide their day. One spot they added at the last minute was Wai’oka Pond, incorrectly dubbed the Venus Pool by outsiders and the media. Wai’oka, short for Waioaoaka, meaning “the roaring water that swells suddenly.” It was advertised as a beautiful freshwater swimming pool. They decided to start their day with this being their first stop.

The weather forecasters were right, no rain or even a cloud was near them when they parked to get out of the car. Shannon’s group did not meet anyone, or see any warning signs, as they made their trek across the field and down to Wai’oka Pond. They encountered a cliff jumper at the site who told them what a great spot it was, and how much they were going to enjoy it. Shannon wasn’t a big fan of heights or taking unnecessary risks, so sat down on a rock overlooking the pool and ocean to take it all in and snap some photos. What this foursome from California didn’t know was that high above the Haleakala crater, storm clouds had formed earlier that morning, releasing a torrential downpour across the island, the streams nearby had started to swell, and the color turned to brown. All signs the locals are on the lookout for. All signs the locals know in which to avoid Wai’oka Pond, as it lies at the bottom of the flash flood corridor for water released from the mountains.

The group had only been there for just a few minutes. Suddenly someone shouted, “WATER, WATER!” Shannon’s boyfriend and his brother turned around and saw a huge wall of water rushing down the mountain directly toward Shannon. Shannon’s friend, as she was standing off to the side, was able to get to safety quickly. Shannon, however, was directly in the path of the flash flood. She had less than a few short seconds to react. The wall of water struck her and swept her into the pond. By that time, her boyfriend had reached the edge of the pond. Without hesitation, he jumped in after her. Once in the pond, the water turbulence made it impossible for him to see or know which way was up. The darkness and power of the water were overwhelming. His body was slammed repeatedly into the rocks. He fought with everything he had and miraculously was pushed into the ocean by the currents and finally got a breath. He kept scanning the water for Shannon but could not see her. The terrified group of three tried to find her, but Shannon was gone. They could not get cell phone service, so they had to hike up the path to call emergency services. Later that day, Shannon’s body was found washed up on the rocky beach. A day that had started with such anticipation ended in absolute tragedy.

While locals knew the signs to look for when it comes to flash flooding, Shannon’s group had no idea. The desk at their hotel, the tour books, the blogs said nothing about flash flooding. There had been no warnings on the flight in. Or in the weather forecast that day. In fact, it wasn’t until 15 minutes AFTER the group was able to call 911, that Maui activated a flash flood warning for the area. Not that that would have helped this group, as they did not have cell service most of the way in. There was no posted sign warning that the pool was in a ravine that served as a flash flood corridor and to look for clouds in the mountains.

Four young people on vacation, taking innocent photos in a well-documented location, their worlds completely shattered in minutes. They weren’t swimming, as reports have suggested. They weren’t in the water. They weren’t being irresponsible by any measure. They just didn’t know the signs, as thousands of visitors to Maui each year also don’t. A woman dead, three lives traumatized, a family shattered in an instant.

A preventable tragedy

In the aftermath of this tragedy, Shannon’s family has set out to change the narrative about Wai’oka, no longer an Instagrammable hotspot on Maui’s coast but a dangerous and over-publicized flash flood zone without any proper signage or warning. Since then, land ownership has changed, and there is a barbed wire fence blocking the cattle gate. However, people persist in trying to find ways to get to the pool. Shannon’s mom has reached out to those that currently own the land and asked for a sign to be posted detailing the dangers of the area. However, the corporation feels a sign would only increase their liability. Thus, the area continues to be devoid of warnings and the area fairly accessible to anyone with the internet and a phone. This area where emergency resources are extremely limited: just one ambulance serves the greater East Maui area. There are no search and rescue units at the ready, no DART teams, not even a lifeguard nearby.

One good Samaritan, a champion committed to prevent senseless drownings, out of his own expense, put up two rescue tubes at the pond a few weeks after Shannon’s tragic death. The yellow rescue tubes hold lifeguard buoys that can be tossed to the person struggling in the water. Today these rescue tubes serve as the only “warning sign” of the dangers inherent in the spot.

No family should have to go through this tragedy. She was one of those people that would walk into a place and light up the room with her smile, laugh and sassy remarks. She had dreams of owning her own business and doing this in such a way to help the under-served and unjustly treated. There is still hope that her passing can serve as an opportunity to highlight awareness and prevent another unjust tragedy. The fact is that Hawaii is painted by the media as a beautiful and serene place to visit, dotted with sandy beaches and calm waters. But the reality is that, just like any other remote island, there are many places that are dangerous to visit, even deadly. In fact, just a few weeks after Shannon’s death, two men hiking a waterfall a few miles from Wai’oka were caught in a flash flood and never seen again.

What can you do?

Talk to locals that live in the area and heed their warnings before going to a remote spot. Visit locations monitored by park rangers. If going to Maui, sign up for the MEMA app to get alerts. If you think you would have had time to climb up the rocky ravine to get out of harm’s way, watch this video and think again.

While many online guides and unauthorized tour groups are still painting Wai’oka Pond as a fun stop along Hãna Hwy, many sites such as Shaka Guide, have decided instead to warn travelers of the dangers at Wai’oka and other similar stops, even omitting exact locations. In an effort to create awareness, Shannon’s family has created a survey in order to better gauge how people are finding these adventurous spots. Information is power. Please find the time to fill it out with as much information as possible. It is completely anonymous and a great help in identifying ways to hopefully save lives in the future.

Additionally, if you have any ideas or comments on how the state of Hawaii or other interested parties could better educate those visiting the island, please don’t hesitate to contact me privately or drop a comment below. Everything helps.