UPDATE: Department of Health lifts high bacteria count notification for Honokohau Harbor

Update at 3:40 p.m. Wednesday, June 3: The Hawai‘i State Department of Health has canceled the high bacteria count notification for the water quality at Honokohau Harbor.

Water sample retesting results show that enterococci levels no longer exceed the threshold level.

Original story at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 2: The Hawaiʻi Department of Health is conducting additional water quality testing at Honokohau Harbor after routine monitoring detected elevated levels of enterococci bacteria, officials said.

A recent sample collected at the harbor recorded 207 enterococci per 100 milliliters of water, exceeding the state’s recreational water quality threshold.

Health officials said they are uncertain whether the results accurately reflect current conditions on site. Honokohau Harbor has consistently met state water quality standards in previous testing, and no known sources of fecal contamination have been identified in the area.

In response, the Department of Health has collected a follow-up sample and is retesting the harbor to verify the initial findings.

Health officials said the public notification will be updated once the new test results become available.

Beachgoers and residents seeking further information can click here.