LIHU’E — After reviewing the results of water quality tests on Kalapaki Beach over the last four days, state Department of Health officials have approved a partial reopening of the beach. The areas of Kalapaki Beach that are now deemed
LIHU’E — After reviewing the results of water quality tests on Kalapaki Beach over the last four days, state Department of Health officials have approved a partial reopening of the beach.
The areas of Kalapaki Beach that are now deemed safe for beachgoers to return to include the eastern end of the beach from the rocks in the middle of Kalapaki Beach to the cliffs where the homes are located, and the surfing area along the jetty known as Ammonia’s on the western side of the bay.
County crews have removed the beach closure signs in those areas.
The area between the rocks in the middle of Kalapaki Beach and the area known as Pine Trees in front of Anchor Cove Shopping Center, including Kalapaki Stream, remains closed until further notice.
State and county officials are continuing to monitor the situation. Updated information will be released as it becomes available.
Kalapaki Beach has been closed since Thursday morning.
At approximately 5 p.m. last Wednesday, 400,000 to 500,000 gallons of treated effluent flowed from the Lihu‘e Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) into a storm drain that leads into Kalapaki Bay.
The spill occurred following a partial power outage at the Lihu‘e WWTP.
The cause of the outage was due to an internal circuit that powers the newly installed tertiary plant processes required to produce R-1 quality irrigation water.
Officials have taken the necessary steps to prevent a reoccurrence of last week’s spill, according to a county press release.
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