How far would you go to get the perfect photo for social media? Here are some examples of what people have done in Hawaii and a recent tragedy in another part of the world.
This week, a travel influencer we follow, Aanvi Kamdar, died after falling 300 feet into a waterfall gorge, not in Hawaii, but in India, where we’ve visited. The 27-year-old, known for her adventure Instagram reels was there with seven friends when the accident occurred. Authorities confirmed she lost her footing during filming of an Instagram reel, resulting in her fatal fall.
“She fell on the hard, slippery patch of rocks around 300 feet into the valley and couldn’t be spotted initially. She was sent up using a stretcher attached to rappelling ropes. Six rescuers climbed down the hill, while another 50 assisted atop the hillock.” (Reported by police and The Economic Times).
This Instagrammer’s tragic death is another stark reminder of the dangers influencers face while creating engaging content both in Hawaii and elsewhere. This incident is not isolated, and another influencer we followed, Tzane, also died, in March, after slipping from a balcony and falling into a ravine, also while filming social media content in Italy where BOH editors were.
Hawaii has more than its share of Instagram risk-takers.
In Hawaii, many such incidents have been reported. Beat of Hawaii has covered stories highlighting the risks influencers and adventurers took in pursuing social media fame. For instance, the article “Have Ego-Driven Instagrammers Ruined Hawaii?” discusses the growing trend of influencers engaging in risky behaviors for the perfect shot, often leading to dangerous and sometimes fatal outcomes. In another incident, “Hiker Rescue Reimbursement is Back as Hawaii Visitor Drives Off Cliff”, details the financial and human costs of such incidents, even those perhaps not socially media driven.
California hiker recently fell 1,000 feet in Hawaii.
Travel influencer Ian Snyder miraculously survived a dramatic fall in Hawaii. Snyder was hiking alone on the Koolau Summit Trail on Oahu near the Pali Notches Trail in December when he fell. Rescuers located him three days later at the bottom of a waterfall. Snyder, who sustained multiple injuries, described his rescue as a miracle and expressed his gratitude to the rescuers (video below) who saved his life. It isn’t clear whether Instagram played any role in his near-death experience in Hawaii.
Ian later recorded a public service announcement1 (PSA) to caution other hikers. Despite serious injuries, Snyder emphasizes the importance of researching trails, informing others of hiking plans, considering the risks to first responders, and avoiding closed areas.
His experience hopefully serves as a vital reminder to prioritize safety and respect for emergency personnel.
In another infamous incident on the Big Island, a tourist climbed over the protective fence at Akaka Falls to get a better photo than was available from behind the barrier fence. He slipped and found himself dangling near the edge of a 400-foot drop. A Big Island resident risked his own life to yank the tourist to safety. The tourist showed blatant disregard for safety and even for the efforts of the do-gooder who saved his life.
Queen’s Bath is a regular site of dangerous Instagram moments.
Queens Bath and Wailua Falls, both on Kauai, have been regular problem spots where visitor rescues have occurred at the hugely beautiful but dangerous Instagram spots. Queen’s Bath is closed in winter, which has not curtailed such determined activity.
Haiku Stairs on Oahu is another risky Instagram spot.
The Haiku Stairs (the Stairway to Heaven) has long been among the most dangerous and in-demand spots for Instagrammers and other thrill-seekers in Hawaii. Steep and narrow, the 4,000 steps offered breathtaking views but have been officially closed since 1987 due to safety issues. Adventurers nonetheless illegally climbed the stairs for decades, risking fines, injury, and death. The allure of capturing that perfect Instagrammable moment continued to draw people, leading to many rescues and ultimately prompting the stairs to be dismantled. At present, a court injunction has paused the planned removal of the iconic staircase.
The Importance of Safety and Awareness.
As these ongoing tragic stories demonstrate, many influencers and travelers don’t prioritize safety over obtaining social media status. The desire for breathtaking social media too often comes at the cost of jeopardizing their personal safety and that of rescuers.
Please Join the Discussion. Have you seen risky behavior by influencers in your Hawaii travels? Share your thoughts and experiences, as your insights can help raise awareness and potentially save lives.
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Parents, Are you proud of raising idiots! This all stems from allowing social media while they should be living a family life and studying. This is what happens when parents let their children raise the adults. Parents, be parents. Yes, you can control what happens. They can not get electronics unless you provide the cash to buy them. If they can not learn that there is more to life while in a family home, they are going to turn to social media in hopes to receive the likes and love. And this as you know, does not end well. Grow Up Parents. Dont have kids. Raise your Kids if you have them!
I have seen tourist climb over walls and railing at Waimea Valley.
We need to start prosecuting these people in a meaningful way. My relative living very near the Haiku stairs is afraid to even let her dog out early in the morning because of trespassers…
Best Regards
Rescue folks should not respond as soon as they find out that this is some influencer nonsense!
I am a citizen of a mainland state, but have visited Hawaii annually for more than 25 years. I’ve seen all the interesting vistas, and done a few of the interesting hikes on Kauai and the Big Island.
I would fully support a law in Hawaii that states something like: ‘If you engage in an activity that is prohibited, or against the rules of good citizenry, and as a result require a rescue, you are responsible for All the costs of your recovery’.
It is unfair to Hawaii taxpayers and the health/welfare of rescuers to have to support the cost and danger created by those who practice stupid activities for their own ego or financial benefit (influencers, I Think they are called!!)
It’s not just about safety of the humans, they are putting wildlife and the land in danger as well. I personally think social media should just be banned. People would have to get real jobs and the beautiful local places will once again go back to not being trampled on; the animals (like the honu) will be able to rest in peace on the beaches; and there will be less people getting hurt just to find the 5second instagramable moment that someone online took a cool photo at. Social media is dumbing down society.
I hate Instagram. I think its done more damage to nature, tourism and society as a whole than anything else I can think of. I refuse to look at it or support it in any way.
The fact that people are willing to die to get that Instagram post speaks volumes to the shallowness of the users of that service.
“Never underestimate the stupidity of truly stupid people” Yes, I own Every bit of that…
Best Regards,,,
Never under estimate the power of stupidity
I refuse to follow influencers. I won’t even read their blogs and if I run into a video of there I refuse to repost it. I tell my kids that these acts are not worth the money in return. Same for internets that post all actions – they chose to live that way with little privacy. I don’t like to hear them complain of how hard and challenging their kinds are. They made those choices. No job is worth the price of one’s health and life – this really only applies to one of you appreciate/like your life. I like mine. It’s not perfect, it’s not easy but it’s still worth having. I day no thank you. I wish more people would stop following influencers and praising them. Influencers in today’s world are the old “Oh, I need to do as the Jones!” No thank you.
It’s sad they died but this feels like Darwinism here. Just abjectly stupid.
Choices have consequences and those that choose poorly deserve whatever happens to them plain and simple. My only concerns are for those responders that have to risk their own lives to try to get the idiots to safety. It is way past time for those that trespass just because they can and get in trouble they need to be billed for the full costs of whatever it takes to get them to safety. Or better yet, let them just figure it out on their own.
Easy fix: stop following these idiots, who, as you yourself note, endanger their lives and the lives of rescuers. No followers = no influence. It is that simple.