UPDATE: High bacteria advisory canceled for swimming area at Onekahakaha Beach in Hilo

Update at 7:48 a.m. Jan. 24, 2026: Hawai‘i State Department of Health officials canceled the high bacteria count advisory for the swimming area at Onekahakaha Beach in Hilo.

The department reports results of water retesting showed enterococci levels no longer exceed the acceptable threshold.

Original story published at 5:44 p.m. Jan. 21, 2026: Hawaiʻi State Department of Health has issued a high bacteria count advisory for Onekahakaha Beach in Hilo while officials conduct follow-up testing to confirm recent monitoring results.

Health officials reported that routine water-quality testing found bacteria levels of 192 enterococci per 100 milliliters, exceeding the state’s beach action threshold. However, the department noted that it is unclear whether this initial sample accurately reflects overall water conditions at the beach.

According to the Department of Health, Onekahakaha Beach has historically met acceptable water quality standards, and no known fecal contamination source has been identified at this time.

As a result, officials have collected an additional sample and are retesting the site.

The public will be updated once results from the follow-up testing are available. In the meantime, beachgoers are advised to use caution when entering the water, particularly those with open wounds or weakened immune systems.