Ocean Advisory
Issued: High bacteria count notification at Kēōkea Beach Park in North Hawai‘i
State health officials are uncertain about results from routine beach monitoring at Kēōkea Beach Park in North Kohala, so another water sample was collected and is being retested.
High surf advisory remains in effect for south-facing shores
Waves of 10 to 14 feet are forecast this morning, decreasing to 8 to 12 feet this afternoon and 7 to 10 feet Monday for those shorelines in Puna, Kaʻū, North and South Kona and North and South Kohala. Flooding of beaches that are normally dry, minor coastal erosion and saltwater inundation also will be an issue with continued coastal flooding.
High surf advisory in effect this weekend for south-facing shores of Big Island
Large breaking waves of 7 to 10 feet are forecast by Aug. 8 along the southern shores of the island, with wave heights increasing to between at least 10 and 14 feet by Aug. 9.
UPDATE: Coastal flooding now likely through late Sunday night along Big Island shorelines
The extension comes as National Weather Service forecasters also issued a high surf advisory for south-facing shores of the state that will be in effect from early Friday morning to early the morning of Aug. 11.
Waters at Māhukona Landing in North Hawai‘i being retested after high level of bacteria discovered
Hawai‘i Department of Health issued a high bacteria notification for the area after higher than normal bacteria level of 178 per 100 mL was found during recent routine monitoring. There is no known source of fecal contamination.
UPDATE: Wind advisory again extended for North Hawai’i, parts of Kaʻū and Puna
The advisory is now in effect until 6 p.m. today for North and South Kohala as well as northern and interior portions of North Kona and Hāmākua along with south and southeasten portions of Kaʻū and Puna, with sustained winds of 20 to 30 mph expected and gusts up to 50 mph.
UPDATE: Tsunami advisory is canceled, County of Hawaiʻi to open beach parks, all roads
Hawai‘i County officials ask residents, however, to exercise caution and stay out of the water, as coastal areas continue to be hazardous.
Minor coastal flooding still possible through today around Big Island
Combination of peaking monthly high tides and elevated water levels have continued to make afternoon high tides exceed height predictions by about a half-foot since Monday, with that trend not expected to change until this weekend.
Tsunami watch issued for Hawai‘i, canceled less than an hour later after large quake off Russian coast
The July 19 temblor that caused the tsunami watch excitement struck roughly 45 miles northeast from the epicenter of a 1952 magnitude-9 earthquake that did trigger a destructive Pacific tsunami that caused damage in Hawai‘i, including on the Big Island.
Swells happen: High surf warning in effect for north- and east-facing shores
Strong, breaking waves of 20 to 26 feet are expected by this afternoon along north-facing shores, with breakers of 10 to 15 feet forecast along eastern shorelines through 6 p.m. Sunday on the Big Island.
Update: Brown water advisory canceled for Hilo Bay and along Hāmākua Coast
State health officials advised beachgoers and ocean enthusiasts 16 days ago to stay out of the waters in those areas that likely appeared brown or murky because of a threat of higher than normal pollutants from storm runoff.
Update: High bacteria count advisory canceled at Honoli‘i Cove
State health officials report that enterococci levels at the popular surf spot north of Hilo no longer exceed acceptable levels.
High surf advisory issued for west facing shores
West Hawaiʻi will be under a high surf advisory until 6 p.m. this evening.
Update: Brown water advisory canceled for West Hawai‘i coast after about a week
Beachgoers advised to remember: If the water is brown, turn around. State health officials recommend staying out of the water in the advisory area for 48 to 72 hours after heavy rainfall stops and beaches have received full sunshine.
Update: High surf advisory for west coast of Big Island extended
According to the National Weather Service in Honolulu, surf of six to eight feet is expected along with strong breaking waves and currents, which will make swimming dangerous.
Update: High surf advisory for western shorelines extended through Friday morning
Surf of 6 to 8 feet is still expected along the west shores of the Big Island as a persistent west-northwest swell continues to fade overnight.
Update: High surf advisory extended for western shorelines of Big Island
A reinforcing large west-northwest will maintain advisory level surf through early Thursday morning along the Kohala and Kona coastlines.
Coalition releases first Hawaiʻi Water Safety Plan aimed at addressing state’s drowning crisis
Hawaiʻi Water Safety Coalition called on water safety stakeholders throughout the islands to identify the state’s most urgent drowning prevention recommendations.
Update: High surf advisory canceled for east-facing Big Island shores
Forecasters originally had extended the advisory until 6 p.m. today, but surf has already dropped below advisory thresholds.
University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo researchers confirm sewage leaking into Keaukaha waters
The newly published study reveals sewage from cesspools and the Hilo Wastewater Treatment Plant is entering Keaukaha’s coastal waters faster than previously recorded.
