LIHU‘E — A monthly analysis of streams, rivers and surf spots around the island found high concentrations of enterococcus bacterium — a federally recognized indicator of fecal presence in water — at a number of locations.
Volunteers with the Surfrider Foundation’s Blue Water Task Force gathered water samples from 20 sites across Kaua‘i, and then tested the water for the bacterium.
The samples, which were collected on July 13, showed eight sites produced results above Hawai‘i’s single-day sample standard of 130 enterococci per 100 milliliters of water.
The sites with subpar readings were, from bad to worse, Middles Surf, Moloa‘a Stream, Hanalei River, Nawiliwili Stream, Koloa Landing (Waikomo), Hanama‘ulu Stream, Tunnels Stream and Wainiha Stream.
The sites with acceptable readings were, from top to bottom, Anini, Waiohai Surf, Waikoko Surf, Anahola Bay Surf, Pakala Surf, Kealia Surf, Kalapaki Bay Surf, Kalihiwai Surf, Rock Quarry Surf and Wailua River Park. Two sites — The Bowl Surf in Hanalei Bay and Hanama‘ulu Bay Beach — tested between acceptable and subpar.
The task force uses the same test as the Hawai‘i Department of Health (HDOH), but compliments its water quality program by testing surf sites and streams, not the mainly popular beaches the HDOH tests.
“We are now into summer dry season so the concentrations of enterococcus bacteria, the fecal indicating bacteria that (the) state of Hawai‘i uses as its standard for measuring pollution levels, have decreased significantly,” said Surfrider Kaua‘i Senior Scientist Carl Berg in a note that accompanied the findings.
“Most of the surf break sites are clean, but Middles, in Hanalei Bay, is showing high concentrations coming down the Hanalei River as is The Bowl. Waikoko’s is clean as it does not get Hanalei River discharge except in extreme floods.
“All the streams had moderately high concentrations of enterococci bacteria, probably from human wastewater, so always rinse off with clean fresh water after getting out of the ocean or the streams.”
The task force’s year-to-date geomean — essentially a site’s average bacterial concentration in 2024 — found nine sites tested above the mean bacteria concentration mark of 35 enterococci per 100 milliliters of water.
The nine sites were, from bad to worse, Hanamaulu Bay Beach, Wailua River Park, Hanalei River, Wainiha Stream, Nawiliwili Stream, Koloa Landing (Waikomo), Moloa‘a Stream, Hanamaulu Stream and Tunnels Stream. Three sites, Kalapaki Bay Surf, Kalihiwai Surf and The Bowl Surf in Hanalei Bay, tested between acceptable and subpar.
“It is Surfrider’s position that all sites with chronically high concentrations, and that have been shown to contain human wastewater, should be posted with caution or warning signs,” Berg said.
“Surfrider is discussing with the County of Kaua‘i, Department of Parks and Recreation, putting up caution signs on county property at Koloa Landing, Hanamaulu Beach, Nawiliwili Stream and Kikiola Beach Park.
“But everyone must address the cause of water pollution, the thousands of cesspools on Kaua‘i that must be replaced as soon as possible, or our ‘ohana keeps swimming in sewage.”
