I lived on Ohau for a couple of years starting in 2010.
When I arrived, a death investigation immediately hit my desk. That would be the first of many during my time there. I even left some for my successor.
I agree with others, people are stupid, especially tourists. They just don't appreciate the fact that the ocean is unforgiving and takes no prisoners.
One time at Pipe watching locals surf during a huge swell we were standing at the wet line on the beach. Some tourists came up and decided to stand in front of everyone, not realizing that we were standing where surge would not hit. Within 5 minutes a huge wave came along with its surge, their 5 year old daughter was upended and only saved from the rip by a very quick hand.
One other day we were also on the North Shore collecting sea glass, not getting in the huge surf that day which was shore breaks about 10 feet or more. The lifeguard came down on his quad and told me to not let my kids in the water. Several minutes later he came back to get the young tourists out of the shore breaks. They thought it was funny but they were literally getting thrown around like rag dolls and were lucky to walk away with their lives.
Keiki beach shore breaks on some lesser days:
