Windward beaches reopen; Point Panic to Ke'ehi still tainted
By Robbie Dingeman
Advertiser Health Writer
Beachgoers can go back in the water at all Windward O'ahu beaches after the state Health Department said yesterday that water quality has improved after raw sewage overflowed during last week's rains.
Gregory Yamamoto • The Honolulu Advertiser
Warning signs advising people to stay out of the water had been posted at all beaches exposed to Kailua Bay as well as Enchanted Lake and Ka'elepulu Stream in Kailua and Kane'ohe's Kawa Stream and Kane'ohe Bay.
Warning signs along Ka'elepulu Stream and Kailua Bay, as well as Enchanted Lake, Kane'ohe Bay and Kawa Stream, were removed after the water had cleared.
Folks in Hilo also got the go-ahead to return to the water near Puhi Bay after treated sewage that had not been disinfected or chlorinated entered the water on Sunday.
Warning signs 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.
Repair work continued yesterday at Sand Island. Woo said a city diver had the unenviable job of heading into the 66-inch pipe last night to try to determine the cause of the leak.
City officials will continue to sample the water. Woo said possible causes of the break include corrosion, stress failure and structural damage from settlement of the pipe.
Reach Robbie Dingeman at rdingeman@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-2429.
