Lahaina Waters Safe for Ocean Recreation!

As of April 11, 2024, the Hawaiʻi Department of Health (DOH) confirms that the coastal waters around Lahaina are safe for ocean recreation. The DOH reviewed test results from multiple monitoring activities conducted by state agencies and community partners, and Hui O Ka Wai Ola helped collect samples to support this determination! The full article is linked here.

On April 9, Surfrider Blue Water Task Force published their Initial Post-fire Water Quality Results for Lahaina. They did not find evidence during their initial sampling of fire-related contamination that would put human health at risk from recreation in the ocean. "The metal concentrations we measured appear to be within the range of typical ocean water levels, and concentrations of both metals and Polynuclear Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) are well below the World Health Organization (WHO) recreational guidance and drinking water regulations set by both the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and WHO." A link to their article can be found here. 

Hui O Ka Wai Ola will continue monitoring in Lahaina, as well as our other sites in West and South Maui, for long-term trends and impacts to nearshore waters. Our raw data are posted every quarter open access to the public, and our interpretations of those data are published in a report every 2 years - our next report anticipated in Fall 2024!

Hui O Ka Wai Ola's Program Manager, Liz Yannell, and Program Coordinator, Christiane Keyhani, measure coastal water quality at Papalaua St.
​Photo: Tova Callender