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High bacteria levels detected in Hanalei Bay

WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

Routine beach monitoring revealed elevated levels of the bacteria enterococci at Hanalei Bay on Wednesday, and warning signs have been posted in the area.

High bacteria counts prompted the state Department of Health to warn people to stay out of the water near Hanalei Pier until at least Tuesday.

The source of the contaminants was not immediately known.

Routine beach monitoring revealed elevated levels of the bacteria enterococci at Hanalei Bay on Wednesday, and warning signs have been posted in the area, the Garden Island reported.

Swimmers could experience flulike symptoms from entering water, including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache and fever. Also possible are infections of the eyes, nose and throat.

Levels detected were 192 parts per 100 milliliters, which exceeded the 130 parts threshold, according to the state Clean Water Branch. Another round of water testing at the bay is set for Monday, and the beach remains open.

“The advisory will remain posted over the weekend until at least Tuesday, after we receive and review the results of Monday’s samples,” Clean Water Branch officials told the newspaper.

Data from Surfrider Kauai’s Blue Water Task Force testing Aug. 12 triggered DOH’s test of the water at Hanalei Pier.

Surfrider data showed an elevated enterococci count, but their testing site in the bowl yielded results of more than 24,150 parts per 100 milliliters.

Magnitude 4.1 quake strikes on Hawaii island

A magnitude 4.1 earthquake struck late Friday off the coast of Hawaii island.

The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory says the earthquake hit at 8:35 p.m. Friday with an epicenter about 66 miles northeast of the town of Hawaiian Beaches. The agency reports that about 100 people on the islands of Hawaii, Maui, Molokai and Oahu said they felt the earthquake.

Brian Shiro, the agency’s seismic network manager, says the earthquake was likely caused by the bending of the oceanic plate from the weight of the island.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said there was no tsunami threat.

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