Sacred Falls State Park

Geobox Protected Area
name = Sacred Falls State Park
native_name =
other_name =
other_name1 =
category_local = Hawaii State Park
category_iucn = II


image_caption = Sacred Falls seen from below.
etymology_type = Named for
etymology = Unknown
country = United States
state = Hawaii
region_type = Census-designated place
region = Hau'ula, Hawaii
district_type =
district =
city =
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location =
lat_d = 21
lat_m = 34
lat_s = 24
lat_NS = N
long_d = 157
long_m = 54
long_s = 51
long_EW = W
elevation_imperial =
elevation_round = 1
area_unit = acre
area_imperial = 1370
area_round = 1
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established_type =
established = Unknown, if known please add.
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management_body = Unknown, if known please add.
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visitation =
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free_type = Nearest city
free = Hau'ula, Hawaii
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free1 =


map_caption = Location of Sacred Falls State Park in Hawaii
map_locator = Hawaii
map_first =
website = None

Sacred Falls State Park is a state park located near Hauula on the north shore of the Hawaiian island of Oahu. It was closed indefinitely after a fatal rockfall on the 9th of May 1999 in the canyon where the waterfall is located, killing eight hikers and injuring many more.

Rockslide Tragedy

On Sunday May 9, 1999 (Mother's Day) about 100 people were gathered at the base of Sacred Falls, an convert|80|ft|m|sing=on waterfall in Sacred Falls State Park. At approximately 2:30 p.m. a loud roar was followed by a shower of rocks and woody debris. Within seconds seven people (including a nine year old child) lay dead (an 8th died later) and 50 more were injured in various forms, some with traumatic amputations and/or open brain-case injuries. Following the rescue operation the Park was closed on the recommendation of the State Geologist. The park remains closed, and unlikely to reopen.

A study by Hawaiian Geologists found that the May 9th rock fall was small (25-30 yds³), consisting of weathered basalt and woody debris that originated convert|500|ft|m above the canyon floor in the basalts that form the nearly vertical canyon walls. During the last convert|150|ft|m of fall the rocks and debris were airborne, falling straight down into the impact zone at velocities of about 70-100 miles per hour. There was no place to hide in the narrow canyon adjacent to the plunge pool. A lawsuit was filed by survivors of the rock fall and relatives of the injured and dead against the state of Hawaii. Following a bench trial in which the judge found in favor of the plaintiffs the suit was settled for approximately 8.5 million dollars.