The Maui News

High levels of bacteria were found at Cove Park in Kihei during routine beach monitoring, the state Department of Health Clean Water Branch said Thursday.

The beach is under a high bacteria count advisory after enterococci levels of 164 per 100 milliliters were measured at the beach, above the threshold of 130 per 100 mL.

This could indicate that potentially harmful microorganisms are in the water. Beachgoers, especially children, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems, could get sick after coming in contact with polluted water.

The most common illness associated with swimming in water polluted by fecal pathogens is gastroenteritis, with symptoms including nausea, vomiting, stomachache, diarrhea, headache or fever. Other minor illnesses could include ear, eye, nose and throat infections, while highly polluted waters could occasionally expose swimmers to more serious diseases, the department said.

The advisory will remain in effect until water sample results no longer exceed the threshold. For updates, visit eha-cloud.doh.hawaii.gov/cwb/#!/viewer?eventId=1710.

On Wednesday, the Health Department also issued a brown water advisory for Maui’s North Shore from Waihee to Hookipa, after high surf sent coastal waters above the normal high-water mark.

The public is advised to stay out of coastal waters that appear brown due to possible runoff containing pesticides and other chemicals, dead animals and fecal matter, pathogens and debris.

For updates on the advisory, visit eha-cloud.doh.hawaii.gov/cwb/#!/event/1709/details/view.