Signs Posted at Nearshore Waters in Kahului, Paukukalo and Napili

The tsunami warning event on Saturday resulted in sewage spills to the ocean at three locations.

Officials with the County of Maui identified the specific areas where the public should avoid the ocean until results of bacteriological tests are complete. They are:

Kahului (the ocean fronting Hale Nanea and some of the drainage ditches near the 24 Hour Fitness gym), Paukukalo and Napili.

Warning signs are posted in the affected areas and the County of Maui’s Department of Environmental Management is working with the Department of Health to determine when the ocean in these areas will be safe to enter.

Previously scheduled testing could not be conducted on Sunday because of heavy rains. County officials say runoff from the rain would render test results inconclusive. Testing is planned for Monday, March 1, 2010.

The public should continue to look for warning signs in these areas before entering the ocean.

(Posted by Wendy Osher; Supporting information courtesy County of Maui)