Update: State cancels high bacteria count notification for Honoli‘i Cove in East Hawai‘i

Update at 4:59 p.m. Nov. 14: The Hawai‘i State Department of Health canceled the high bacteria count notification for Honoli‘i Cove on the east side of the Big Island.

Water sample retesting results show that enterococci levels no longer exceed the threshold level at the home of popular surf spot Honoli‘i Beach Park in Pauka‘a, located a little more than 2 miles north of Downtown Hilo.

Original post at 5:35 a.m. Nov. 14: The Hawai‘i Department of Health has issued a high bacteria count notification for Honoli‘i Cove on the east side of the Big Island after higher than usual levels were found during recent water testing.

The cove is home to popular surf spot Honoli‘i Beach Park in Pauka‘a, located a little more than 2 miles north of Downtown Hilo.

Bacteria levels of 1,652 per 100 mL were detected during routine monitoring. Officials are uncertain about the representativeness of the first sample since the beach has historically met the acceptable threshold.

There also is no known source of fecal contamination.

Another water sample was collected and the site is being retested.

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

For more information about the high bacteria notification, click here. To learn about what can affect your health at the beach, click here.