State health officials on Sunday urged beachgoers to stay out of the water near the Kāneʻohe Marine Corps Base Hawaiʻi wastewater treatment plant ocean outfall after routine sampling found a discharge above the daily maximum permitted level for fecal indicator bacteria. The warning covers a string of popular windward Oʻahu shoreline spots, including Secret Beach, Rock Beach, Lanikai Beach, Kailua Bay and Castles Beach. Testing and monitoring are still underway while officials review follow up samples, and local lifeguards and agencies are telling swimmers, paddlers and surfers to take the advisory seriously.
DOH advisory and affected spots
According to the Hawaiʻi State Department of Health, the Clean Water Branch advised the public to avoid waters near the Kāneʻohe wastewater treatment plant ocean outfall after an effluent sample exceeded the permitted daily limit for fecal indicator bacteria. The advisory specifically calls out Secret Beach, Rock Beach, Lanikai Beach, Kailua Bay and Castles Beach as locations to steer clear of while officials review results from shore and outfall monitoring stations. DOH guidance…..