LIHU‘E — Test results from Surfrider Kaua‘i’s Blue Water Task Force showed increased levels of enterococcus bacteria in several bodies of water throughout the island.
According to a single-day sample from Nov. 12, test locations in Hanama‘ulu and Hanalei saw some of the most substantial jumps in this bacteria this month.
These types of bacteria are typically not considered harmful to humans, but their presence in the water may indicate that more dangerous organisms — like viruses, bacteria and protozoa — are also present.
The largest increase is in Hanama‘ulu Stream, which leaped from 1,467 bacteria per 100 mL in October to 4,225 this month. According to Surfrider, the single-day sample should ideally be below 130 per 100 mL.
“Stream input is definitely a major factor,” said Kaitlyn Jacobs of the Surfrider Foundation, on the increase in bacteria at Hanama‘ulu. “Because the streams get a lot of the groundwater runoff, any bay that has a large freshwater input is going to spike during large rain events — like we see at (The Hanalei Bowl) too. Those two spots definitely spiked this month.”
The Hanalei Surf Bowl went from less than 10 to 148 per 100 mL, and Hanalei River from 290 to 414.
“This month The Bowl is high in bacteria because of fresh water, mud and bacteria coming from the Hanalei River,” Jacobs said.” With winter rains we can expect more river and stream pollution to be running into surf areas, but otherwise, they are looking nice and clean.”
Jacobs said she could not confirm whether another source, like a septic leak or increased agricultural use, could have led to the increases.
Other sites saw decreases in bacteria levels, including Kahili Beach in Kilauea (Rock Quarries), Wainiha Stream and Nawiliwili Stream.
The annual geomean for 12 of the 18 test sites was above the recommended level of 35 per 100 mL.
This Surfrider Foundation data has led the state Department of Health to identify many sites that they do not have the capability to sample as polluted.
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Guthrie Scrimgeour, reporter, can be reached at 808-647-0329 or gscrimgeour@thegardenisland.com.
