The Top 7 Most Dangerous Places in Hawaii

There is no doubt that Hawaii is paradise. About 10 million tourists visit Hawaii yearly to experience breathtaking beauty, relax in the sun, or enjoy many outdoor activities. Hawaii offers spectacular beaches, warm weather, lush tropical forests, scenic hiking trails, rugged cliffs, volcanic craters, and much more. However beautiful Hawaii is, it has a deadly side. From cliff jumping to hot lava, tourists can find themselves in trouble in certain places on these tropical islands. Read on for the top seven most dangerous places in Hawaii.

1. Kalalau Trail — Na Pali Coast of Kauai

This 22-mile out-and-back trail may be astoundingly beautiful, but it’s also one of the most challenging and dangerous hiking trails in Hawaii. A permit is required to hike Kalalau Trail, and warning signs line the trail at some of the steepest and most narrow spots. Despite the warnings, many thrill seekers and adventurists come to hike the jungle trail each year. The path follows the coastline as it retraces the original steps of Hawaiians who lived nearby. Hawaiians who lived in the valley had to take this route to access the Napali Coast by land. 

Hikers must cross three streams, which can rise with little warning, while steep drop-offs plunge straight into the ocean. Around mile seven, hikers must get past Crawler’s Ledge to keep going. Only experienced hikers in excellent condition should try this. Crawler’s Ledge has a steep rocky downhill cliff that drops straight into the ocean on one side, and the other is a steep uphill cliff, making this spot one of the most dangerous places in Hawaii.

2. Lumahai Beach — Kauai 

Although this beach may look picture-perfect with its golden sand and crashing waves, all outlined with lush tropical greenery, it’s one of the most dangerous beaches in Hawaii. Strewn along the sand at Lumahai Beach are large lava shelves and volcanic rocks. Because there is no reef to slow the open ocean as it breaks along the beach, the waves are massive and strong. Dangerous rip currents are possible, and swimming is not recommended. 

Locals call this beach “Luma-die” because there have been many tourist deaths over the years. Recently, two men from New Jersey experienced dangerous currents while swimming at Lumahai Beach in 2022. One man made it back to shore, but the other was swept out to sea and presumably drowned.

3. Leap of Faith — Oahu 

The island of Oahu is a popular place for cliff jumping. However thrilling, cliff jumping can be extremely dangerous. Cliff diving may look fun, but an errant wave could smash you directly into a wall of rocks. Furthermore, speed builds up fast as you fall and can result in concussions, bruises, fractures, and spinal damage.  

One of the most dangerous places in Hawaii to jump off a tall cliff into the churning ocean below is called the “Leap of Faith” on the island of Oahu. It’s an 85-foot drop into turbulent waters. During shallow tide, the water isn’t deep, and sharp rocks line the ocean floor. To add to the dangers, ledges protrude from the cliff. If a jumper doesn’t jump far enough away from the edge, they’ll hit the rocks on the way down.

4. Kīlauea Volcano — Hawai’i Island

It may seem strange, but many visitors flock to visit the world’s most active and largest shield volcanoes each year. Kilauea, located on Hawai’i Island, recently erupted in September of 2023. This volcano in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park has erupted dozens of times since the 1950s. Vents and lava lakes are often present.

Tourists visit the park to get a once-in-a-lifetime glimpse of an active volcano at work with lava flows and glowing lakes. However, it’s extremely dangerous to venture off the path. In 2022, a man was found dead after falling 100 feet below a crater rim in a closed-off area.

5. Kahekili Highway — Maui

This meandering, gorgeous 20-mile drive along the coast of Maui may be beautiful, but it’s also notoriously dangerous. Kahekili Highway, or County Route 340, is a narrow stretch of road along Maui’s northwest coast. The road is so unsafe that many rental car companies refuse to cover drivers who travel on it. The highway is a single lane with the ocean dropping down on one side and steep cliffs on the other. Nicknamed “Death Highway” by the locals, there aren’t even guard rails along the most dangerous stretches. 

6. Queen’s Bath — Kauai 

Imagine a shallow tide pool with crystal clear turquoise waters and crashing ocean waves beyond it. The water is warm and calm as the sun beats down on you. You can get a close-up view of angel fish, sea urchins, green sea turtles, and other marine life. However, the gorgeous Queen’s Bath, a unique tide pool on the island of Kauai, has a deadly side. 

Without any warning, the idyllic and peaceful tide pool will change into churning waters with waves crashing down as the tide comes in. Swimmers relaxing in the tropical waters will be caught unaware and can be injured or the rocks, or worse, swept out to sea. Winter is exceptionally dangerous here when the surf is rough and sweeps over the pool.

7 Haʻikū Stairs — Oahu

Also known as the Stairway to Heaven or the Haʻikū Ladder, the Haʻikū Stairs are a steep set of stairs on the Ko’olau mountain range that the U.S. Navy built to reach their top secret facilities on the island of Oahu. The path is only 18 inches wide and gains an elevation of 2,630 feet. Constructed in the 1940s, the over 3,000 stairs have fallen into disrepair. Access to the stairs is illegal, and trespassers can receive hefty fines.

Summary of the Top 7 Most Dangerous Places in Hawaii

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