Ocean Blog

U.S. Coast Guard and partner agency crews had searched 200,048 square nautical miles for more than 242 combined hours by the time the agency suspended its search efforts for for missing 42-year-old Kona fisherman Earl “Oa” Hind at 3:30 p.m. the afternoon of April 15. Family and friends, however, are not giving up hope.

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.

3 pups have already been born this year. While monk seals can give birth at any time of the year, March through August is when a majority of young make their debut.

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.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Images that appear with this story could be upsetting to some readers. Discretion is advised.

New University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa study discovery also highlights that as sea level rises, there is an even greater risk for flooding in low-lying areas sooner than scientists anticipated, putting infrastructure, businesses and communities in jeopardy.

State health officials report that enterococci levels at the popular surf spot north of Hilo no longer exceed acceptable levels.

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.

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.

A Hilo resident found the 3-foot reptile pinned under a log Feb. 4 at Honoli‘i Beach, a popular surf spot and beach park about 2 miles northwest of Hilo.

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.

A reinforcing large west-northwest will maintain advisory level surf through early Thursday morning along the Kohala and Kona coastlines.

Crew members of the ocean tour company’s vessel Artemis stepped up last week to remove a large mass of tangled marine debris — basically garbage — drifting off the Big Island’s Kona Coast while patient tour guests offered encouragement.

Hawaiʻi Water Safety Coalition called on water safety stakeholders throughout the islands to identify the state’s most urgent drowning prevention recommendations.

Forecasters originally had extended the advisory until 6 p.m. today, but surf has already dropped below advisory thresholds.

The newly published study reveals sewage from cesspools and the Hilo Wastewater Treatment Plant is entering Keaukaha’s coastal waters faster than previously recorded.

The advisory was issued Jan. 31 by the Hawaiʻi Department of Health Clean Water Branch for the entire island because of stormwater runoff entering coastal waters from heavy rains associated with the significant winter storm that moved through the state at the end of last week.

The lllegal Red Snapper and Tuna Enforcement Act would support Hawaiʻi fisherman and expose anyone trying to pass off cheap tuna for high-quality Hawaiʻi ahi.

National Weather Service forecasters in Honolulu forecast surf up to 12 feet, causing strong breaking waves and strong currents that will make swimming and certain other ocean activities dangerous.

In light of the groundings, Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation Administrator Meghan Statts reiterated that boat owners and operators should pay attention to weather forecasts, avoid going out in advance of storms and check that their lines are secure in harbors or while tied to moorings.