High bacteria count notification issued at Kailua Pier; brown water advisory in effect for part of Kohala Coast

The Hawai‘i Department of Health is notifying the public that the waters at two Big Island locations are being monitored for possible contamination.

The Health Department is retesting waters at Kailua Pier in Kailua-Kona after bacteria levels of 207 per 100 mL were detected during routine beach monitoring. While the beach has historically met the acceptable threshold level and there is no known source of fecal contamination, the department is uncertain about the representativeness of the first sample taken during recent monitoring and has collected another.

The state will update the public based on the results of the retesting.

For more information, visit the Health Department website and click here.

A brown water advisory also was issued for waters from Puakō Bay north to Waiakailio Bay on the Kohala Coast in West Hawai‘i.

Heavy rain and storm conditions have resulted in stormwater runoff entering coastal waters in this area. The public is advised to stay out of flood waters and stormwater runoff because of possible overflowing cesspools, sewer, manholes, pesticides, animal fecal matter, dead animals, pathogens, chemicals and associated flood debris.

Not all coastal areas could be impacted by runoff; however, if the water is brown stay out.

Beachgoers should continue to practice good personal hygiene and follow-up with your primary care physician if they have any health concerns.