Volume 2, Number 5
FREE
October, 2025
Testing Shows Maui Ocean Water Mostly Clean By Taryn Kama
“Maui’s water pollution is closely tied to Hawaii’s cesspool crisis. There are still around 83,000 active cesspools statewide, which release an estimated 52 million gallons of untreated sewage into the ground each day.”
D
espite its reputation for pristine beaches and clear blue waters, Maui is facing growing threats to its ocean health. The Surfrider Foundation’s Maui Chapter has released its 2024 Blue Water Task Force (BWTF) Report, revealing troubling patterns of pollution at popular local beaches, chronic contamination linked to outdated sewage systems, and updates from their ongoing legal battle over wastewater injection in West Maui. At the same time, new post-wildfire testing brings cautious optimism: so far, no dangerous levels of firerelated toxins have been found in nearshore waters. “At Surfrider, we believe everyone deserves access to clean water to recreate in, and our chapters are working hard to inform their communities of local water quality issues and provide the critical water quality information they need to make informed decisions to protect their health and families,” said Kristina McHugh, the Maui Blue Water Task Force Coordinator. While Hawai’i Department of Health Clean Water Branch regularly tests a number of priority beaches, generally those with lifeguards and popular tourist areas, their data is hard to find and not communicated out to the community; BWTF has data transparency and uses social media and email as tools to inform the community about water quality at their local beaches, McHugh added. Based on 374 water samples taken at 39 locations, the report highlights chronic pollution at stream mouths, safe conditions postLahaina fires, and ongoing legal efforts to curb wastewater contamination. While most of Maui’s ocean remains safe for swimming and surfing, the data points to a handful of locations with consistent fecal bacteria spikes— especially after rain or in areas where freshwater meets the sea. Trouble at Stream Mouths Sites like Wailuku Stream and Māliko Bay once again tested above the state’s safety threshold—130 colony-forming units (cfu) of enterococcus per 100mL—in more than 25 percent of samples. These locations are often affected by upstream pollution, including runoff from cesspools, livestock areas, and feral animal populations. Maui’s water pollution is closely tied to Hawaii’s
monitors surf spots, stream outlets, and familyfriendly local beaches that often go untested. Testing occurs monthly, as well as after storm events or brown water advisories, to provide a realistic picture of both dry and rainy conditions. These efforts help identify chronically polluted areas and empower residents to make safer decisions about ocean recreation. Post-Fire Monitoring Brings Relief, Raises Questions
A green sea turtle cruises amongst some of Maui's coral reefs. cesspool crisis. There are still around 83,000 active cesspools statewide, which release an estimated 52 million gallons of untreated sewage into the ground each day. This waste often migrates into groundwater and eventually into the ocean. “We have also noticed a trend where the majority of chronically polluted sites are located in priority cesspool areas,” McHugh said. Although state law (Act 125) mandates cesspools be eliminated by 2050, progress has been slow. In 2024, Surfrider helped advocate for and pass HB736 and HB879, both aimed at accelerating cesspool conversion and reducing sewage-related pollution. A Volunteer Army for Clean Water Surfrider’s Blue Water Task Force is a community-driven program, powered entirely by trained volunteers. From sample collection to lab testing, the program runs on grassroots energy and local commitment. Samples are tested at the University of Hawaii Maui College Water Quality Lab and results are published online at bwtf.surfrider.org. Unlike the state’s Department of Health (DOH), which focuses on lifeguarded or high-tourism beaches, Surfrider
Following the August 2023 Lahaina wildfires, fears quickly surfaced about whether fire-related toxins had made their way into the ocean. In response, Surfrider launched a Post-Fire Coastal Water Quality Monitoring Program. Two sampling events—one during heavy rains in January 2024, and another in June during dry weather—tested for heavy metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), contaminants often associated with urban fires. The results were reassuring: no toxic levels of concern were detected. Only minor traces of copper and low PAH levels were found at Lāhainā Harbor and Papalaua Street—well within expected levels for beaches exposed to urban runoff. However, the report notes that these were limited
Article Continues On Page 4. >
What's Inside:
3D Microscopes See the World Beyond.......3 Makahiki Holiday Celebrates Bounty...................6 Fun Activities in Upcountry Maui................7 Events Calendar ......................................10-11 2025 Jazz Festival .........................................12 Windsurfing Aloha Classic Returns...........15