Waimanalo, Bellows beaches reopen

By Robbie Dingeman
Advertiser Health Writer

Beachgoers can go back in the water at Waimanalo and Bellows beaches in Windward O'ahu after the state Health Department indicated yesterday that water quality has improved after raw sewage overflowed into nearby waters after last week's rains.

Warning signs advising people to stay out of the water remain posted at all beaches exposed to Kailua Bay (including Lanikai) as well as Enchanted Lake and Kaelepulu Stream in Kailua and Kane'ohe's Kawa Stream and Kane'ohe Bay.

Warning signs also remain posted at Honolulu Harbor from Point Panic to Ke'ehi Lagoon because of a massive sewage leak that began Thursday. City spokesman Doug Woo said the 2-million-gallon spill was from from a large pressurized main that broke and leaked into the Sand Island Recreation area.

Officials also left warning signs posted at Poka'i Bay in Wai'anae because of runoff that included animal waste from nearby farms.

City officials will continue to sample the water daily at all sites.

Repair work continued yesterday with crews surrounding the Sand Island spill with a barrier of steel girders around a large ditch as they work to fix the ruptured pipe.

He said possible causes of the break include corrosion, stress failure and structural damage from settlement of the pipe.

On Sunday on the Big Island, the Hilo wastewater treatment plant released sewage that had been treated but not disinfected, state officials said. The bypass of their chlorination system occurred Sunday with about 60,000 gallons of undisinfected wastewater being discharged one-half mile offshore in Puhi Bay.

Officials advised swimmers, surfers and boaters to avoid the area.

Reach Robbie Dingeman at rdingeman@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-2429.