A 2025 water quality study found nearly 27% of tested beaches across Hawaii failed health standards for bacteria over half the time, with flooding and storms worsening contamination levels.
- Twenty-four of 90 tested beaches across Oahu, Maui and Kauai failed state health standards for fecal bacteria more than 50% of the time.
- During recent Kona low storms, Maui and Oahu beaches showed bacteria levels 10-20 times above safe limits.
- Beaches near stream mouths and areas with many cesspools are most likely to have dangerous enterococcus bacteria levels.
- High bacteria counts indicate potential presence of illness-causing pathogens that could make swimmers sick.
- Outdated wastewater infrastructure becomes overwhelmed during flooding and sea level rise events.
Source: Civil Beat
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