Writing Position Statements

3 Position Statements

1. Tourist deaths at local attractions are the state’s fault because there was a lack of signs posted, they weren’t posted around other potentially hazardous areas, and if there were signs, they weren’t adequately maintained to warn visitors. 

2. Tourists are responsible for their safety when visiting hazardous attractions because; signs have previously been placed in various sights and attractions only to be ignored, the state can not be held responsible for any lack of common sense on the person’s behalf, and it’s impossible for the state to know every hazardous point of every attraction, it’s the tourist’s responsibility to know which points to avoid. 

3. In Hawaii there are many incidents at tourist attractions but both sides are at fault because there are a lack of signs on the governments part, tourists should use common sense, and tourist services like Triple A should have warnings about attractions.

Mini Essay

          Though the amount of fatal accidents that occur in the state of Hawaii's main attractions are few, they are still very real and tragic. Millions of tourists come to Hawaii seeking new adventures and thrills, and much of them flock to the many outdoor sites and attractions that Hawaii possesses. Some of these adventurous locations can be hazardous, and there's controversy over who is responsible for the safety of the visitors that visit these dangerous sites, the state or the visitors themselves.

          The responsibility of the safety of Hawaii’s tourists should not be completely placed on the state of Hawaii and it’s departments, much of the tragic mishaps that occur in hazardous attractions are in large part due to the tourists themselves. Tourists are responsible for their safety when visiting hazardous attractions because; signs have previously been placed in various sights and attractions only to be ignored, the state can not be held responsible for any lack of common sense on the person’s behalf, and it’s impossible for the state to know every hazardous point of every attraction, it’s the tourist’s responsibility to know which points to avoid. In the island of Maui on Nakalele Point blowhole, occurred the disappearance of California resident, David Potts. In the parking lot of the site, there is a sign that reads "Blowhole: Park and walk at your own risk". Potts was dancing around the blowhole when a wave struck him from behind and took him into the hole. This goes to show the previous statement on the responsibility of tourist's safety is quite accurate, Potts was aware of the blowhole's danger, but he still chose to act recklessly in it's presence. After the incident, search teams returned to the site the same week and noticed that visitors "continued to gather around the blowhole, despite being told that someone in that same location just a few days ago". Though warnings and signs should be provided, in the end it is up to the individual whether they heed the warnings and act accordingly, or act unheedingly. 

          In the end, the safety of tourists lies in their own hands. It's their responsibility to have the right sense of judgement in the right time, the right place, or in Potts' case, the wrong place. The state should have signs placed at these locations, but the majority of the liability falls upon the tourists and their ability to make sensible decisions.