Honaunau Bay, Hawaiʻi – The public is advised of a water quality exceedance at Honaunau Bay – 2 Step on Hawaiʻi Island, prompting a new beach advisory. Routine monitoring conducted on July 2, 2025, detected levels of enterococci at 137 per 100 mL, which is above the threshold level of 130 enterococci per 100 mL.
While the exact cause of the elevated bacteria count is currently undetermined, the Department of Health Clean Water Branch issues such advisories when testing indicates the potential presence of harmful microorganisms like bacteria, viruses, protozoa, or parasites in the water. Swimming in polluted waters can lead to illness.
Children, the elderly, and individuals with weakened immune systems are particularly susceptible to developing illnesses or infections from contact with polluted water. Although swimming-related illnesses are typically not severe and often resolve quickly, common symptoms include nausea, vomiting, stomachache, diarrhea, headache, or fever, often associated with gastroenteritis. Other minor infections affecting the ears, eyes, nose, and throat can also occur. In rare cases, highly polluted water can expose swimmers to more serious diseases.
It’s important to note that not all illnesses experienced after a beach visit are necessarily from swimming; food poisoning from improperly stored food can present similar symptoms.
The beach has been posted with advisories, and this alert will remain in effect until subsequent water sample results show enterococci levels no longer exceed the 130 per 100 mL threshold. The advisory was issued on July 3, 2025.