Brown Water Advisory Honokahua Bay

Image courtesy State of Hawaiʻi, Department of Health.

By Wendy Osher

The state Department of Health issued a brown water advisory for Honokahua Bay in West Maui following heavy rains earlier this week.

The advisory was issued on Tuesday, April 1, 2014, but remained in effect at last report.

According to the advisory, the Clean Water Branch advises the public to stay out of flood waters and storm water runoff “due to possible overflowing cesspools, sewer manholes, pesticides, animal fecal matter, dead animals, pathogens, chemicals, and associated flood debris.”

“If coastal waters are turbid and brown, stay out,” the advisory stated.

Honokahua Bay is located in the area that includes DT Fleming Beach Park in Kapalua.

The Maui Nui Marine Resource Council will host a “Solutions to Brown Water” community meeting this afternoon from 4:45 to 7 p.m. at the Pacific Whale Foundation in Māʻalaea to address the brown water incidents at Honokahua.

According to the organization, the area has been experiencing heavy sediment runoff into the ocean for several weeks and experienced heavy runoff during 2006-2007 before Best Management Practices were being used.

The Maui Nui Marine Resource Council is looking for input to form constructive ideas on how best to address the problem in a timely manner.