Hanalei Water Quality Warning

Hanalei Bay tranquil and inviting on August 11. The following day Surfrider Kauai's Blue Water Task Force was startled when they took a reading of the water quality on the river-mouth side of the pier. The data showed a bacteria count of 24,150 parts per 100 mL, more that 24,000 parts  higher than the threshold for safe water contact. Warning signs were posted a few days later when the Hawaiian State Department of Health (DOH) confirmed the extraordinary level of enterococci bacteria, presumed to be from cesspool links along the river or a sewage spill. Carl Berg of Surfrider said his reading was "as high as I could test," the highest recording since he began testing 10 years ago. High bacteria levels were also recorded on the other side of the island at both Waimea Bay And Koloa landings where water contact warnings were posted. The lack of surf may prolong the concentration of bacteria, but in any case the situation speaks to some of the problems created by greater populations of people and the capacities of the tiny archipelago in the middle of the Pacific.