LIHUE, Kauai >> The state’s aquatic biologist for Kauai says more tests should be done to check for contaminants in Hanalei River and bay after mud samples collected by an environmental group showed high levels of arsenic, barium, chromium and lead.

Don Heacock told The Garden Island newspaper more tests are needed to find out if these levels are higher than normal. But he says he’s concerned and immediate action should be taken to determine those levels.  

The Hanalei River Heritage Foundation paid $2,000 to have mud samples from the river’s mouth and bay tested by the Honolulu laboratories of Washington state-based TestAmerica Laboratories Inc.  

TestAmerica’s report says the mud samples were collected properly. It says the samples arrived in good condition, were properly preserved and on ice.