County Cautions Public of “Obvious Danger” at Blowhole

By Wendy Osher

Authorities from the County of Maui are urging the public to exercise caution when visiting the Nakalele Blowhole, where a visitor disappeared over the weekend.

An advisory issued by the County today stated that “an obvious danger exists,” and that visitors to the location should use caution at or near the blowhole.  County authorities say the site is not promoted by the County of Maui or the Maui Visitors Bureau as a place to visit.

According to a statement issued today by the County of Maui, “the location may be privately owned and therefore, the County of Maui is unable to provide any signs or warnings of the obvious dangers the blowhole may present.”

Over the weekend, visitor, David Potts, 44, of San Anselmo California, was knocked over by a wave and fell into the blowhole.  Maui crews responded to the July 9 incident, but suspended their official search for on Monday after three days looking and finding no sign of the missing man.  The  search effort included response on land, sea and air, and utilized divers who searched in close proximity to the rocky cliffs near the site during hazardous ocean conditions.

Today search teams returned to the site again and noticed that visitors continued to gather around the blowhole area, despite being told that someone disappeared in that same location a few days ago.

County officials say they are “very saddened by the incident” and extended sympathy to the victim’s family for their hardship.  Since the weekend incident, the Maui Visitors Bureau has reached out to the Potts family to try and provide them comfort.