Leslie Charles Merrell was the father of two children. Leslie was a carpenter and an avid hiker. He was the organizer of the Oahu Hikers and Adventurers group on Meetup.com and helped to plan many fun hiking excursions for Hawaii’s residents. Merrell, originally from Carrollton, Georgia, was a widowed husband and the father to two little girls.
On March 18, 2012, Merrell took part in a hike through Oahu Hikers and Adventurers. The plan was to do Bear Claw to Pu’u Kona down Kuliouou West (near the traditional Kuliouou Ridge Trail). The Meetup was scheduled to start at 8am. On the event page, the following description was used to describe the hike: “If you are not used to scrambling, climbing rocks, walking on narrow ridges , DO NOT sign up for this hike. This is a advanced hike.”
A member of the Oahu Weekend Hikers group on Facebook had been watching the group climb the Bear Claw trail from his home. He posted on the group page at around 1:40pm that “One hiker fell 100 ft on top of Puu O Kona!”
I then received an ominous text from Marvin at around 2:48 pm asking if I heard about Leslie. He had fallen near Puu O’ Kona (Pu’u O Kona is located a short distance from the terminus of the Kuliouou Ridge Trail). A few moments later I received another text from Marvin that they had just pronounced him dead.
I was at a lost for words. It hit me that I actually considered attending this particular meetup.
Apparently, Merrell was holding onto a boulder that dislodged. He fell over 150 feet.
Although I’ve hiked with the OHA group before, I never had the opportunity to hike with Leslie. However, Marvin had hiked with him on numerous occasions. In fact, one of his earliest hikes was with Leslie on the Kamiloiki to Makapu’u trail. More recently, he joined Leslie on a hike to Kaena Point.
Leslie was integral to the Hawaii hiking community. He will be terribly missed. My heart goes out to the Merrell Family and especially to Leslie’s two little girls. May you rest in peace, Leslie.
Rest In Peace Leslie Charles Merrell
UPDATE 3/19/2012: Below is a news report from KHON2 News about Leslie.
News Updates:
- Hiker Falls, Dies On Waimanalo Trail -KITV News
- Avid hiker dies after falling 150 feet off unsanctioned trail -Brianne Randle for KHON2
- Hiker falls to his death on Waimanalo trail -Hawaii News Now
- Hiker Falls, Dies On Waimanalo Trail -MSNBC
A scholarship memorial fund has been set up by friends of Leslie Charles Merrell. Donated funds will go toward Merrell’s two daughters.
Leslie Charles Merrell Memorial Fund
I think it is really awful that you so quickly have put up anything regarding Les and a play-by-play of what you think his life and this unfortunate incident were. It seems really disrespectful Coty.
I get where you’re coming from, Ryan.
Les had ties with the site as he had hiked on numerous occasions with Marvin. I’ve also hiked with his Meetup group before. I got reports from people that were at the scene. I felt compelled to write about the incident, especially after I knew there would be posts like this one on the local news sites:
http://www.khon2.com/news/local/story/Man-dies-after-falling-150-feet-off-unsanctioned/9n9nauaLREGBLxAZUc_VQg.cspx
The last thing that I want is for people to think this was just another idiot hiker doing another, as they say in that KHON article, “unsanctioned” trail. With this post, at the very least, he has a name and a face and people know that he was respected within the community.
I didn’t know Leslie Charles Merrell, but think there was no disrespect on Coty’s part. Thank you, Coty. It is a serious reminder about how dangerous Hawaii’s trails can be. We all know how hazardous the trails can be. You hike at your own risk. Leslie did the same, and followed his heart and interests. It is sad for all of us, but particularly his children. They need our help now, not criticism of how the news is broken.
Sorry Coty. I know what the intent was; I just feel like everything is being reported so matter-of-factly and it all still seems unreal. I’m just sad and feeling protective. I didn’t mean to take it out on you. RIP Les.
Don’t worry about it, Ryan. Like I said, I totally understand. Now we grieve.
The KHON article originally didn’t mention a name because it is standard to wait until after the next of kin has been notified by grievance counselors before its published. They understand that watching the news isn’t how his daughters should find out about the tragedy. However, somehow news got onto facebook moments after the pronouncement. Hopefully Leslie’s daughters found out about this tragedy by grievance counselors and not by a FB or Twitter post.
So sorry for your loss, Coty. The community got hit hard by losing such a strong member. RIP to him. Thank you for sharing the info.
So Sorry to hear this,truly so sad!! My heart and prayers go out to Leslie’s girls and all of his family and friends <3
Is that Kamananui Valley behind Puu Keahi a Kahoe in the background?
It is so sad that twos hear that Les was a widower. I feel so bad for his kids. I hope to help somehow. Thanks for posting, Coty.
Thanks for posting, Coty. He was a good friend, one of the best. This will leave a huge hole in our hearts, but he died doing something he loved. I can’t believe he’s gone. Thanks for getting the record straight before the media twisted the story…again.
The number of people who have “liked” this article speaks for itself. Thank you for sharing the best info available at the time about our friend. Leslie was a good guy and we will all miss him greatly.
Les will be missed around freinds of Bill. Please send more info if you can.
Thanks so much for your article Coty. Leslie was my cousin but I live in North Carolina and hadn’t seen him in years, at least since he and the girls moved to Hawaii. I appreciate being able to read about what happened from someone who knew him well. The news report was not very informative and did seem to be placing blame where it didn’t belong. Hiking the mountains in Hawaii is dangerous but Leslie’s been doing it for years and knew what he was doing. Tragedies happen, but none of here can believe that he’s gone.
I am very shocked and saddened to hear the news about Leslie. Last summer (2011) I came to Honolulu as a visiting professor at UH. I am an avid hiker in my home state (NV). I joined the hiking group in Oahu and signed up for one the hiking trips that Leslie organized. I did not have a car at the time and so I posted a message to the group asking them if they happen to be driving in my area to please pick me up. Leslie answered my message and volunteered to pick me up. We went up to the meeting place and hiked with him all day. What a wonderful and nice person he was. I am very sad to hear this news. May he rest in peace. Aloha.
So sad…I feel so sorry for his children. May he rest in peace.
I hiked with Les and Stanley Yamada when I lived on Oahu two years ago. He was an excellent hiker and trail guide. He was also a great conversationalist. He will surely be missed on many levels. My heart goes out to his two daughters. Aloha Les, you are free to hike and roam without boundries now!
A part of me feels sad, but also upset with Meetup.com and few people over the death of hiker Leslie Merrell. Because the show of public solidarity by hikers in meetup hides the many divisiveness, back-stabbing mentalities that have existed and have indirectly contributed to Lesile’s death….
SAD FOR HIKER LESLIE & HIS KIDS. BUT UPSET W/ MEETUP.COM & FEW MEMBERS FOR BRINGING DIVISIVENESS & BACK-STABBING TACTICS TO MY GROUP! LESLIE INFORMED ME OF THIS– AS A RESULT I DECIDED TO LEAVE THE GROUP TO LESLIE TO AVOID NEEDLESS DISTRACTIONS… THE DIVISIVENESS AND BACK-STABBING TACTICS MAY HAVE INDIRECTLY CONTRIBUTE TO HIS DEATH. ALSO MEETUP.COM AS I TRIED TO CANCEL GRP DEC.2008, BUT WEBSITE DIDN’T CANCEL AS REQUESTED!
Trying to state your negativism… and then stating it again in all caps only shows how much of a fool you are. I may not know you, Kevin, but I’ve heard many many things about you. Get over it already…. apparently you’re stuck in 2008. Trying to re-emphasize your bitterness during a time of mourning is simply uncalled for. Get back with me when you finally come to the year 2012.
As creator/ leader of the Meetup group, I Did Not try to date or acted inappropriately toward anyone. That was NOT the purpose of the outdoor hiking and adventure group! And I did not like others using the group for such purposes. (The purpose of the group was to hike, scuba, etc. and look out for each other’s safety!) I tried to treat and take care of everyone as if they were my own brother or sister and to look out for their safety– be it friends or strangers!
Yet, the meetup group became major distractions and more or less contributed to end of my PhD, etc…..
Also, I gave the group to Leslie shortly after being informed by Leslie of divisive tactics within the group. I did not want more needless dramas and distractions. I gave my heart and soul to create a cohesive group, but there were some very inconsiderate people that I allow to freely join or invited to join!
There were wrong, mean-spirited assumptions made by few divisive people…
I do feel sad for Leslie Merrell and for his two surviving young daughters. It was from my former hiking group that I created back in Nov. 2008– with the goal of giving it freely to people and to meet adventurous outdoor type, to lookout out after each other’s safety– that he died from.
I regret creating the group and regret leaving it to Leslie in mid-2009. I left because of issues with Meetup.com and with many unwanted dramas and issues with some rather inconsiderate and divisive people…
(Leslie’s tragic death may have been avoided…)
Since beginning of 2009, I often wish I had never created that group. I tried unsuccessfully on few occasions to cancel the group less than a month of creating it, but Meetup.com did not cancel the group as requested in the first week of Dec 2008. Yet, many active outdoor groups have sprung out from it and many people are enjoying what I have created…
Also, Leslie was not a strong hiker and should never have been on that dangerous trail– especially being a single parent and sole provider of two kids…
Unfortunately David: Someone just died tragically in 2012!!
Yes, I am upset that meetup didnt cancel the site Dec. 2008 and upset w/ few people!
… Perhaps two young girls may still have a father in 2012 David!?
Oh, poor poor Kevin sounds bigtter with no group, no friends, and still bitter that Les took over and created a great, UNIFIED group, something pathetic Kev could never do. Still bitter, still stuck, and and wishing he could have done better. Les took over the group and made it better.
Kev needs professional help that he never sought.
Below is a more accurate account of what transpired within the meetup group. Others may have differing views, but the information below is the truth! Admittedly, some dramas or distractions may have been handled differently or perhaps avoided so that some friends or strangers would not feel offended. However, my actions as creator/leader of the group (such as removing certain members from the group) were Reactions to what I viewed as inconsiderate or divisive group members.
Brief Background on Creating the Meetup Group:
During a Mt. Olomana hike with few friends late Oct. 2008, no one would hike all three peaks. I went by myself and thought it would be good to know few more people who are a little braver, to help look out for each other’s safety. Thus, the O’ahu Hikers & Adventurers group was created Nov. 2008. (Yet, recognizing the potentials for stresses in dealing with many strangers and distractions it may cause for my PhD, etc.. I tried to cancel it online within the 1-month deadline for a full refund, but the cancellation tab malfunctioned numerous times (likely on purpose, so meetup can keep my 6-month of payment). I decided to keep the group and hoped for the best… )
Few Noted Issues With or Among Group Members:
**Mary-Bern**
I planned a New Year’s Eve 2008 afternoon potluck for friends and strangers — and an evening dinner gala celebration with few good friends. I failed to properly notify a couple of friends that I had $90/person dinner/gala tickets for them. I ended up giving the tickets to a couple of meetup members to join me and my friends for the gala. However, a newest member, an older aged African-American woman, Mary-Bern was left by herself that evening at the beach park. I felt sorry for Mary-Bern and sacrificed my OWN ticket so she can hang out with people and have a nice dinner, while I hanged out at the parking lot with a friend. (It was a dumb, regretful decision on my part to be so nice to a total stranger.) Others at the dinner even mentioned of Mary-Bern complaining about the nice food given to her for FREE– and for whatever reason she left the group the following day, after rating the event as “AWFUL.” This was very inconsiderate to me since I gave up my own dinner ticket and on top of that, got an “Awful” rating for it. Mary-Bern was a truly inconsiderate human being; I made a mistake to feel sorry and to be overly nice.
**Dating within Group**
Dating was NOT the purpose of the group. The purpose was to look out for each other’s safety and to foster good camaraderie. I know I could not prevent members from dating other members. But as the group leader (and a former elite military paratrooper), I have strict code of conducts for myself against “fraternization.” The goal was to create a group of tight camaraderie or “esprit de corps” among members.
**Jenn Mui**
Jenn was one of the first group members. I much valued and cared for her friendship — and nothing more. When she started to date another group member, Johnny, Jan.09, I initially and quietly disapproved of it. However, very soon after and believing Johnny to be a good guy for her, I was very happy for both. However, a month or so later Jenn informed me of an awkward breakup with Johnny. I felt very sad for Jenn, and decided to email the group reminding them of the purpose of the group, and that dating was NOT it.
A few weeks later, another member, Jake, expressed dating interest in Jenn. I talked with Jenn about it and recall discussing that Jake was not a good match for her… Also, during a brief period of removing several members from the group for many various reasons, I removed Johnny and Jake, too. Johnny for hurting Jenn and violating group’s code of conduct. Jake was removed partially for rudeness and loudness on the trails, and using the group as a free dating site of sort— often flirting and talking only with the girls, etc… Yet, Jenn did not like that I removed Johnny and Jakes. But as group leader, I did not want people like Jake and Johnny misusing the group, ie. for dating… I realize this was also a personal and hurtful matter for Jenn. But as group leader, I don’t know if I would have handled this situation any differently. Or perhaps I should not have removed Jake and Johnny before consulting Jenn.
**Scuba Mickey Scott v. Scuba Gale Ward**
There was a conflict where Mickey ordered scuba fins for Gale, but Gale informed me she never wanted the $100 fins. In order to end the conflict, I purchased “Gale’s fins,” which I donated/ gave away. It was a distracting issue to be a part of. But I thought buying the fins would lessen the group friction. As group leader, I felt certain responsibility to defuse tensions. I still don’t know if I would have handled this situation any differently…
** Jenny Yang**
Jenny was a Chinese-Canadian about to visit Hawaii spring09 and contacted me about planning some group events, such as shark cage, submarine, etc… I agree, in the Spirit of Aloha and partly because she looked bit like my actual sister in some photos… Although I was somewhat offended by Jenny Yang’s “prejudicial” comment regarding my good friend/ Chinese-American eye doctor, Dr. Jimmy Yang (about Jenny’s age), simply because he was an Asian… after joking during an online chat that she and Jimmy Yang was a good match. Yet, I still went out to my way to show Aloha Spirit: Picking her up at the airport, driving her around the island, and planning group events for her to meet and make many new friends (even though I didn’t care much for the Shark cage (which I paid $50 to be a rider on the boat) and didn’t care for the submarine ride (I paid $25 Kama’aina rate).
Yet, I was feeling offended seeing her not even hesitating to pay almost $100 submarine fare for a stranger guy she just met the day before, but couldn’t make the same gesture of paying my $25 fare– from someone who went above and beyond to be super nice, planning many events, introducing to many people, new friends, driving around island (gas $), having to pay for my own Shark cage, submarine, etc. The act of paying for that stranger guy she just met the day before just seemed inconsiderate! After Jenny Yang left Hawaii, I removed her from the group. This caused many false rumors and needless distraction. I don’t know if I would have handled this situation any differently. I did consider cancelling all planned events and ending contact even before Jenny Yang’s arrival to Hawaii– for knocking down Dr. Jimmy Yang, her own ethnicity, for being an Asian… Perhaps I took it too personally that she did not offer the gesture of $25 (for driving around the island, planning costly events, introducing to new friends, etc…) vs. $100 for a stranger she just met!
**Phuong Ma**
I invited Phuong Ma to join the group from a Yahoo Personal site because she seemed like an active outdoor type and would be a good addition to OHA. However, I rejected her request to plan indoor nightlife, drinking social events because that was NOT the purpose of my group. Also, in April 09, I rejected her request to take over OHA (since I really didn’t know her that well) as I was contemplating leaving the group to focus on my PhD. In addition, I strongly suspect, after signing up for an event in April 09 and not attending the event, that Phuong Ma maliciously rated that event as “Awful.” The few people attending the events all reported that they liked/loved the event. I suspected Phuong Ma for back-stabbing attempt and removed her from the group… Shortly after, I did sent an email stating that if I was wrong, then I apologized for the removal, and she could rejoin the group.
**Leslie Merrell**
I remember planning Feb.09 an easy hike to Ka’ena Point from the west side. Leslie, a stranger at that time, signed up for the hike but couldn’t find our rendezvous location and gave my event an “Awful” rating. After emailing Leslie and explaining that he could have read the event detail, or just Call me (since number was provided), Leslie apologized for, and retracted, the “Awful” event rating. I respected Leslie for this. In May09, Leslie also informed me of divisive attempts by Phuong Ma to recruit OHA assistant organizers to leave the OHA group and to join the newly created group, All Things Oahu, by few people who wanted more indoor social events. I appreciated Leslie for informing me of this divisive, back-stabbing tactics and decided shortly to leave the group to Leslie since meetup had become a major source of distraction for my PhD and personal stresses from dealing with inconsiderate people in the group.
** Meetup Event Rating System**
I disliked the rating system as it allowed people to be inconsiderate or malicious in their actions… by disrespecting organizers who sacrifice their time and energy to plan events for the group. The rating system can also make it counter-productive toward achieving a cohesive group.
I dedicate a lot of time, energy, money, etc.. to try to create a good, cohesive group. Several inconsiderate people ruined it for me… in many ways!
I did try to DEFEND my integrity from many false and malicious rumors spreading among the group! If anything, I was too nice to people there… Being too nice to strangers have been costly for me, in many ways… Leslie had mentioned via last email after I left that group that I was “Too Good For (My) Own Good.”
Kevin – one more thing to add: You keep blaming people for your failed PhD…but you forgot to mention that none of us failed your classes for you, you did that. What ever happened to this so called PhD that you keep talking about? Didn’t you tell people you were going to go to Florida, Maui and whatever other fibs you’ve told numerous people? Didn’t you get kicked out of the program because you couldn’t keep up with it? But of course it wasn’t your fault, but everyone else’s. And one other thing I want to make clear, if the meetup was such a mistake, why did you join meetin and still organizing events like you did while you were on meetup? Sounds like you were a failure in meetup and still trying on meetin.
Also, you forgot to mention that you put the OHA group in debt because you were trying to buy friends. Did you forget to mention that when Les took over, all the equipment you supposedly bought with the group funds you kept? And Les was handed over the group right before the dues were due, and he had to pay out of his pocket? Did you forget to mention that Les had to shell out money out of his pocket for all the money and equipment you pocketed after you left the group?
FYI Mary Berns who you gave the $90-$100 per ticket per person found it pretty pathetic of you for trying to buy friends that’s why she gave you such a bad rating, because she knew it would anger you. Did you also forget to mention that when you gave away these tickets you told all the people who attended that you got the tickets for free? Did you forget to mention that you turned around and charged $2,000 on OHA and tried to blame the members because you paid out of your pocket for these tickets? (if no one has told you, let me be the first to call you a DUMBASS for trying to buy friends)
Also, did you forget that you only gave up OHA because you couldn’t compete with ATO. Everyone knows you wanted Jen Mui and Jenny Yang and Phuong Ma. But unfortunately for you, none of them wanted to date you, that’s why you were so upset, especially with Jen Mui because you wanted her to date you but she didn’t want you, instead she dated other guys but you, but she remained friends with you because she felt sorry for you? Let me ask you, if you were such a “great” friend towards Jen, why does she not want to have anything to do with you? In regards to Jenny Yang, she told us you insisted on picking her up and driving her around. You were interested in her but now you’re trying to change things and say it was never about dating (but dumb enough to pay for things and get angry because she’d rather spend money on a stranger she met day before and not on you?) When you do something nice for someone, you’re not supposed to request it back…but in your mind you thought she would date you? And you dislike Phuong Ma though you met her on a dating site (but again you were never interested in dating anyone) and you said she wanted to take over your group. I have a list of people whom you threatened to delete OHA and who also stepped up to say they would help you and wanted to keep the group running. When you claim you are speaking the truth, I highly suggest talking to the people you’ve aimed at because I know most of the people on your list and they find your truth as lies and they all think you’re simply crazy. After reading this, I now believe them.
Again, this site and tribute is about Les, not about you and your sad pathetic life.
All Things Oahu (ATO) and especially Phuong Ma are a bunch of pathetic losers. The best part is that they dont know that they are losers. I can totally understand why Phuong Ma would have to resort to dating sites: the first time I met her I thought she was actually a fat guy! And so bitter / so much drama! Seriously, people hate her.
LOL, I tried to kiss Jen Mui once on the Olomana trail.