Overview

• Gianna Buzzetta, a 26-year-old executive pastry chef at Jeune et Jolie, died on March 24, 2025, after being struck by a boulder while hiking Makaleha Falls Trail in Kauai, Hawaii.
• The accident occurred during a hike with her boyfriend, Connor Quinton, fulfilling her lifelong dream of visiting the waterfall.
• Rescue efforts were delayed due to the trail's remote location and lack of cell service; Buzzetta was airlifted to a hospital but succumbed to her injuries the following day.
• Jeune et Jolie, the Michelin-starred restaurant where Buzzetta worked, is hosting a special dinner to raise funds for her family, while an online fundraiser has garnered significant support.
• Her death has drawn attention to the risks of remote hiking trails and sparked an outpouring of tributes from the culinary world, highlighting her professional achievements and vibrant personality.