VIDEO: Dangers at China Walls and Spitting Caves shown on dramatic state footage

The state Department of Land and Natural Resources released a dramatic video this week that shows the dangers of powerful waves along the rocky shorelines and cliffs of Maunalua Bay on O’ahu.

The dangers of jumping into the water in the Spitting Caves and China Walls area on O’ahu also can apply to other similar areas around the Hawaiian islands.

On the video, Lt. Vance Lime of the state Division of Conservation and Resource Enforcement, said: “Once they panic here, they’re pushed off the point and this current line here will take them all the way to Diamond Head.”

He said it requires a very strong swimmer to escape the power of the waves and even experienced people have been hurt and killed.

“A lot of accidents. A lot deaths. A lot of near deaths,” Lime said.

The safety video was recorded on a particularly high-surf day to depict how easy it is to get swept out to sea and drown, said a news release from the state.

Last year, the Honolulu Fire Department responded to people in need of rescue at the China Walls 16 times and Spitting Caves four times. As of May 1 this year, firefighters and paramedics have responded to the China Walls six times. and Spitting Caves twice.

Last month, a 20-year-old man was rescued after jumping into about 50 feet of water. In February, a 28-year-old man drowned at Spitting Caves. News stories over the years are replete with stories of rescues, fatalities and warnings about the hazards.