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The Hawaii Department of Health issued a water quality advisory Thursday for Hookipa Beach Park on Maui after routine monitoring detected elevated levels of enterococci bacteria.
Testing found 137 enterococci per 100 milliliters of water, exceeding the advisory threshold of 130 per 100 milliliters. The department's Clean Water Branch is advising the public that potentially harmful microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, protozoa and parasites, may be present.
Swimming in polluted water can cause illness, particularly among children, older adults and people with weakened immune systems.
The most common illness associated with exposure to water contaminated with fecal pathogens is gastroenteritis, which can cause nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, diarrhea, headache and fever. Other possible illnesses include ear, eye, nose and throat infections.
The department said swimming-related illnesses are generally not serious and often improve with little or no treatment. However, exposure to highly polluted water can occasionally result in more serious disease.
The advisory will remain posted until follow-up water sample results show that enterococci levels have fallen below the threshold.
Health officials also note that symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhea may result from food poisoning or other sources unrelated to swimming.
The public is encouraged to exercise caution and avoid swimming in the affected waters while the advisory remains in effect.