Kailua Beach still not safe for swimming

By Robbie Dingeman and Mike Gordon
Advertiser Staff Writers

With blue skies and light winds yesterday, the waters off Kailua Beach may have looked as inviting as ever, but state health officials continued to warn the public to stay out because of high levels of bacteria associated with Friday's heavy rains.

A couple heads for the water despite warning signs at Kailua Beach. State health officials removed warning signs at some waterways that had been closed because of pollution after heavy rains caused sewage spills and urban runoff. Jeff Widener • The Honolulu Advertiser

Two other locations that had not been officially listed earlier — Kane'ohe Beach and Lanikai Beach — also were cleared for swimming.

Water samples taken Tuesday continued to show high levels of pollution from sewage spills and urban runoff at Wailupe Beach/ 'Aina Haina, Honolulu Harbor and Ka'elepulu Stream/ Enchanted Lake.

Three other areas also on the list have warning signs posted year-round because of chronic pollution from various sources: Ala Wai Canal and Kalihi and Nu'uanu streams.

The department's Clean Water Branch has been "inundated" with calls from the public, said spokeswoman Janice Okubo.

"It's an indication that the public is concerned," she said. "It's good weather and people want to be out in the water."

It is impossible to predict when an area will be safe for swimming, Okubo said. Experts check each location before pulling warning signs, she said.

"They rate it on levels of bacteria, as well as visual observations of the area, as well as water conditions. All those things come into play. So it's really impossible for us to predict what is going to happen with a particular water body."

Since the rain stopped Saturday, city lifeguards at Kailua Beach have warned beachgoers about the health risks of swimming.

But people are still going in, said Capt. Kevin Allen, who oversees lifeguards along the Windward coast. "Some people listened; some took their chances," he said.

An avid surfer and paddler, Allen hasn't been in the ocean since the storm.

"You're better safe than sorry," he said. "It's a good piece of advice. If we get heavy rains and the water is dirty brown, you shouldn't go in. You never know — it might be polluted."

For the latest information about beaches and streams that are closed, call the state Health Department's Clean Water Branch at 586-4309.

Reach Robbie Dingeman at rdingeman@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-2429. Reach Mike Gordon at mgordon@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8012.