Hawaiʻi County to host blessing Friday for new safety sign at Boiling Pots

To better deter people from entering the water at Boiling Pots in Hilo, the Hawai‘i State Parks Division has developed and installed a new sign at the park that warns visitors, “Do not go beyond this point.”

While Rainbow Falls and Boiling Pots serve as beautiful views of the unique landscapes of Wailuku River State Park, both areas are quite dangerous and unpredictable and have been the location of 27 deaths in the last 29 years.

Boiling Pots is an area in upper Hilo and is the name for the succession of big, basalt lava pools that roll and bubble as if they were boiling. The area is prone to unexpected flash floods, which often lead to a strong current that can trap people in the lava tubes under the water.

Rainbow Falls is a popular Hilo waterfall that cascades down an 80-foot cliff and is renowned for the rainbow often formed from its mist.

Since the conditions change more drastically at Boiling Pots, the new sign was installed there as a warning, but also a memorial for the people who have perished.

“The hope in creating this new signage is to encourage those who visit these scenic areas to be mindful of the dangers that exist and honor the memories of those who have died by not entering the water,” said councilmember Jenn Kagiwada.

With the hopes of a lower number of fatalities th, the public is invited to join Kumu Kimo Awai for a blessing and unveiling of the new sign at Boiling Pots at 9 a.m. on Friday.

For more information, contact councilmember Jenn Kagiwada’s office at (808)961-8272.