Update: High bacteria count notification canceled for Lehia Beach Park in Leleiwi

Update at 7:15 p.m. Sept. 18, 2025: Hawai‘i Department of Health canceled the high bacteria count notification that was issued for Lehia Beach Park in Hilo’s Leleiwi community.

Officials reported Thursday evening that water sample retesting results showed enterococci levels no longer exceed the acceptable threshold level.

Original post at 4:02 p.m. Sept. 17, 2025: Hawai‘i state health officials issued a high bacteria count notification Wednesday afternoon at a Hilo beach park.

Hawai‘i Department of Health is retesting waters at Lehia Beach Park in Hilo’s Leleiwi community, located on the easternmost edge of the East Hawai‘i town, after bacteria levels of 288 per 100 mL were detected during recent routine beach monitoring.

Officials are uncertain about the representativeness of the first sample as this beach has historically met the acceptable beach threshold level and there is no known source of fecal contamination.

Therefore, another sample was collected and the site is being retested.

Hawai‘i Department of Health will update the notification based on the retesting results.

Visit the Hawai‘i Department of Health Clean Water Branch website and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency website for additional information.