June 2016, MAUI (HawaiiNewsNow) –
The State Department of Health on Friday issued a Brown Water Advisory for a portion of Maui’s shoreline following heavy rains.
The public is urged to stay out of the water at Honokahua Bay and Honolua Bay.
Flood waters and storm runoff in the area could contain materials from overflowing cesspools, sewer manholes, pesticides and other harmful elements including dead animals and fecal matter.
Health officials warn, if the water is brown, stay out.
(HFW Comment: Rapid storm water movement and resulting brown water pollution into the ocean is one issue that Hawaii will need to address in the future. The issue has the potential to be a win-win for freshwater advocates by resolving two key issues; pollution of the ocean and preservation of Hawaii’s freshwater supplies. If storm water dispersion is slowed to allow it to percolate back into the ground, fertile soil will not be washed into the ocean and the water will potentially be cleared of many impurities while seeping though layers of rock and soil to the aquifers.)