LIHUE — A monthly analysis of streams, rivers and surf spots around the island found high concentrations of enterococcus bacterium at a number of locations with Hanamaulu Stream emerging as the grungiest in October.
Volunteers with the Surfrider Foundation’s Blue Water Task Force gathered water samples from 21 sites across Kauai, and then tested the water for the bacterium, which is a federally recognized indicator of fecal presence in the water.
The samples, which were collected on Saturday, Oct. 12, showed eight sites produced results below Hawaii’s single-day sample standard of 130 enterococci per 100 milliliters of water.
The sites with acceptable readings were Anahola Bay Surf, Kealia Surf, Pakala Surf, Rock Quarry Surf, Kalihiwai Surf, Wailua River Park, Anini Boat Ramp and Waikoko Surf.
The sites with subpar readings, from bad to worse, were Waimea River Mouth, The Bowl Surf (Hanalei), Waiohai Surf, Hanalei River, Makua Stream (Tunnels), Nawiliwili Stream, Wainiha Stream and Hanamaulu Stream.
Hanamaulu Bay Beach, Middles Surf, Koloa Landing (Waikomo), Kalapaki Bay Surf and Moloaa Stream tested between acceptable and subpar.
The task force uses the same test as the Hawaii Department of Health (HDOH), but compliments its water quality program by testing surf sites and streams, not the mainly popular beaches the HDOH tests.
“With little rain recently, the enterococcus concentrations were low for most surf sites. An exception was at the surf break off the Waiohai resort in Poipu, which is normally very clean,” said Surfrider Kauai senior scientist Carl Berg in a note that accompanied the findings.
“Concentrations were high in Hanalei Bay due to pollution coming from the Hanalei River and perhaps the three other streams that enter the bay. Lower salt content (salinity) in the bay waters indicates the presence of fresh water from the river and perhaps, groundwater contamination from cesspools in the area.
“New sampling of the small, slowly flowing stream at Makua (Tunnels Beach) indicates high concentrations of enterococcus. Stay out of the stream and away from the area where it flows to the ocean.”
The task force’s year-to-date geomean — essentially a site’s average bacterial concentration in 2024 — found 14 sites tested above the mean bacteria concentration mark of 35 enterococci per 100 milliliters of water.
The sites were, from bad to worse, Kalihiwai Surf, Waiohai Surf, Middles Surf, Kalapaki Bay Surf, Wailua River Park, The Bowl Surf (Hanalei), Hanamaulu Bay Beach, Makua Stream (Tunnels), Waimea River Mouth, Hanalei River, Koloa Landing (Waikomo), Moloaa Stream, Wainiha Stream, Nawiliwili Stream and Hanamaulu Stream.
The perpetually high readings at some locations has led to caution signs being posted to alert people about high bacteria levels in the water, particularly after heavy rainfall.
One such site, Nawiliwili Stream at Kalapaki Bay Beach has been sampled monthly since 2008. And after roughly 16 years, Surfrider said that, in collaboration with the County of Kauai Department of Parks and Recreation, a water quality caution sign has been placed at the location.
“It has been tested for the fecal indicating bacteria enterococcus, the Hawaii state standard for recreational waters, and found to be polluted at levels above the standard 100 percent of the time since 2010. It was reported in Surfrider’s Blue Water Task Force’s annual report of waters they tested, as the most chronically polluted waters in the nation, which made national news reporting,” Berg said.
“This month’s testing data shows that Nawiliwili Stream is chronically polluted in 2024 with a mean value of 1209.2 enterococci bacteria per 100 milliliters, 34.5 times the state standard of 35 bacteria per 100 milliliters. Other streams that Surfider tests and found to be polluted (Hanamaulu Stream, Wainiha Stream and Moloaa Stream) have been posted with ‘Caution’ signs by Surfrider.”
