A small marina has destroyed three cars in just over a year, prompting a very bewildered reaction from the local mayor.
The Honokohau Small Boat Harbor in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, has a reputation for attracting vehicles to its waters, but officials say the common theme is “operator error.”
Last year, two unsuspecting motorists entered the marina following GPS directions.
But the latest incident appears to be just a coincidence when a 33-year-old woman parked her vehicle on the boat ramp while experiencing car trouble on July 13.
As officers attempted to help her, she drove the car into the water, leaving it partially submerged as she escaped.
On July 13, at around 8 p.m., a 33-year-old woman parked her vehicle at the boat ramp while experiencing car trouble and then drove into the water.
Three vehicles have sunk in the water at Honokohau Small Boat Harbor (pictured) in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, in just over a year.
The incidents have baffled the mayor, who has been left stunned by each one.
“The first time I heard it, I thought, ‘You’ve got to be kidding,'” said Hawaii County Mayor Mitch Roth.
‘The third was: Really? This is another way to get people to not pay attention to what you do.’
On April 29, 2023, a tourist driving a Chrysler Town & Country was trying to find a manta ray snorkeling tour company and reportedly took a wrong turn while following his GPS directions.
A video captured crew members of a sailboat diving into the harbor and helping the pickup truck driver escape through the window before taking her to shallower waters.
The other passenger, also a woman and apparently the driver’s sister, escaped through the window on the other side of the car.
On April 29, 2023, a tourist had been trying to find a manta ray snorkeling tour company and reportedly took a wrong turn while following his GPS directions.
Although the passengers were making active attempts to escape the vehicle, none seemed particularly alarmed by what was happening.
A few weeks later, on May 29, 2023, another woman was following GPS directions when she turned onto the ship’s ramp, according to Hawaii News Now.
The driver said she was following directions and thought she was driving through a large puddle when she drove her 2020 Ford Edge into the water around 8 p.m.
Roth said he is working to resolve the GPS issue because this is not the first time drivers have experienced such incidents.
“It’s about getting in touch with Google and all the GPS manufacturers who have their maps. Not just about this incident, but also about tourists who go to places where they are prohibited and where they really shouldn’t go,” Roth said.
On May 29, 2023, another woman was following GPS directions when she took a detour onto the boat ramp.
An official with the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources’ Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation said the incidents are “operator error” and that the boat ramp is “hard to miss.”
A Google spokesperson told the local outlet: “Safety is a top priority and we are actively investigating what navigation tools and routes were used in these incidents.”
‘While we have not yet identified any routes on Google Maps leading to the port, we will work with local authorities to make updates if necessary to accurately guide drivers.’
