Improve Public Water Quality Notifications on Maui

Victory! As of May 2024, County of Maui Lifeguards have received signs to post Brown Water Advisory signs at lifeguarded beaches on the island of Maui. 

Ocean recreation and access to clean ocean water is an integral part of our communities in Hawaiʻi. Ensuring that we are swimming, surfing, and recreating in clean water, however, can be challenging. 

The Hawaiʻi Department of Health (HDOH) is updating its protocols to test ocean water when it is brown - which typically occurs after heavy rains or large wave/storm events. During these brown water conditions, there is a higher likelihood of encountering water with elevated bacteria, disease causing pathogens, and other pollutants. 

During heavy rain storms, the HDOH will issue preemptive Brown Water Advisories (BWAs) online and via news outlets to warn people about the health risks associated with entering brown water. 

These advisories, however, miss large parts of the local population. Instead, signs posted directly (and visibly) at the beach immediately alert the public to potential health risks. 

The Maui Chapter requested that Brown Water Advisory signs be posted at public beaches. The Maui County Department of Fire and Public Safety approved the action and signs to be posted at lifeguard beaches on the island of Maui. These signs will improve public notification of immediate water quality concerns and ensure that the public can make informed decisions about where it is safe to enter the ocean.