Hawaiʻi Wai Ola

Hawaiʻi Wai Ola Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from Hawaiʻi Wai Ola, Hilo, HI.

Improve Hawai'i Island’s Water Quality

To improve hawaiʻI islands coastal water quality through science, communication and collaboration to accelerate positive change. PARTNERS AND FUNDERS
Coral Reef Alliance
Waiwai'ola Waterkeepers Hawaiian Islands
Hawai'i DAR
The Campbell Foundation
Kahalu'u Bay Education Center
South Kohala Coaster Partnership
Hawai'i Tourism Authority
Atherton Family Foundation
The Nature Conservancy
NELHA
Surfrider Foundation

09/30/2026

🌊 Our water quality monitoring is now on Aqualink!

You can now explore all 16 Hawai‘i Wai Ola monitoring sites, from South Kohala to Kona to Hilo, in a new interactive dashboard. It shows the data from our most recent sampling events, graded against the state’s standards for bacteria and nutrients. Aqualink also uses NOAA satellite data to calculate heat stress for coral reefs, so you can see how our reefs are handling rising ocean temperatures and acidification.

Go to the link in the bio for ‘Current Sites’ or navigate from our website homepage to Our Work > Current Sites to explore.

⚠️ WATER QUALITY ADVISORY — Hapuna State Beach Park (North Site)Sampled: Sept 24, 2026 8:41 AMResult: 1,445 MPN/100mL en...
09/26/2026

⚠️ WATER QUALITY ADVISORY — Hapuna State Beach Park (North Site)

Sampled: Sept 24, 2026 8:41 AM
Result: 1,445 MPN/100mL enterococcus
State standard (single sample max): 130 MPN/100mL
Exceeds standard ❌ (OVER 11x THE STANDARD)

Testing for enterococci indicates that potentially harmful microorganisms — such as bacteria, viruses, protozoa, or parasites — may be present in the water. Swimming or wading in polluted water may make you ill.

Enterococci are indicators of f***l contamination and the possible presence of disease-causing organisms. Children, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems are most likely to develop illness or infection after contact with polluted water; the more heavily polluted water, the more serious illness is possible.

Recommendation: Avoid water contact at the north site of Hapuna State Beach Park (near the southernmost lifeguard tower) until follow-up sampling shows levels back under the 130 MPN/100mL threshold. Note: a sample taken ~100 ft down-beach measured only 2.3 MPN/100mL, indicating localized rather than beach-wide contamination — likely groundwater seepage.

Independent sampling — not an official DOH posting. Data available upon request.

09/26/2026

Hurricane Nolo is passing close to the Big Island this weekend. Hawaii County is under a Hurricane Watch and Tropical Storm Warning, with forecasters expecting catastrophic flash flooding, mudslides, and dangerous surf along the coast. Please stay safe, stock up if you haven’t already, and check in on your neighbors 🤍💧

⚠️ WATER QUALITY ADVISORY — Reeds BaySampled: Sept 23, 2026 9:10 AM Result: 178 MPN/100mL enterococcusState standard (si...
09/25/2026

⚠️ WATER QUALITY ADVISORY — Reeds Bay

Sampled: Sept 23, 2026 9:10 AM
Result: 178 MPN/100mL enterococcus
State standard (single sample max): 130 MPN/100mL
Exceeds standard ❌

Testing for enterococci indicates that potentially harmful microorganisms — such as bacteria, viruses, protozoa, or parasites — may be present in the water. Swimming or wading in polluted water may make you ill.

Enterococci are indicators of f***l contamination and the possible presence of disease-causing organisms. Children, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems are most likely to develop illness or infection after contact with polluted water; the more heavily polluted water, the more serious illness is possible.

Recommendation: Avoid water contact at Reeds Bay until follow-up sampling shows levels back under the 130 MPN/100mL threshold.

Independent sampling — not an official DOH posting. Data available upon request.

The 2026 Mid-Year Water Quality Report Cards are here!HWO latest report cards show where water quality is improving, whe...
09/24/2026

The 2026 Mid-Year Water Quality Report Cards are here!

HWO latest report cards show where water quality is improving, where it needs attention, and what it means for our watersheds.

Explore the full results, maps, and more at our website:
hawaiiwaiola.com

📣 Schedule change: Due to the hurricane headed our way, we’re postponing tomorrow’s talk story to Friday, October 2- 9 a...
09/23/2026

📣 Schedule change: Due to the hurricane headed our way, we’re postponing tomorrow’s talk story to Friday, October 2- 9 am to 12 pm at Paniau📍

Your safety comes first. Please stay safe, check on your neighbors, and follow local emergency guidance.

Mahalo for understanding. We’ll see you on the 2nd!

⚠️ Issued: Unpermitted Wastewater Discharge at Puhi Bay to Onekahakaha, Hawai‘i ⚠️The public is advised to remain out of...
09/22/2026

⚠️ Issued: Unpermitted Wastewater Discharge at Puhi Bay to Onekahakaha, Hawai‘i ⚠️

The public is advised to remain out of the waters of Puhi Bay to Onekahakaha due to a discharge of partially treated wastewater from Hilo Wastewater Treatment Plant. Details are as follows:

Event: Discharge of partially treated sewage
Location: Puhi Bay to Onekahakaha
Estimated Volume: 71,000 gallons
Status of spill: stopped
Affected waters: Puhi Bay to Onekahakaha

The public is advised to remain out of these waters until warning signs have been removed. As a reminder a Brown Water Advisory remains up for the area from Hilo Bay and along the Hamakua Coast.

We’re excited to share the latest findings from our island-wide coastal water quality monitoring! These report cards inc...
07/17/2026

We’re excited to share the latest findings from our island-wide coastal water quality monitoring! These report cards include data collected from 2020-2025. Read the full report cards, explore maps, data, and more at hawaiiwaiola.com

As always, mahalo to our incredible volunteers, partners, supporters and community members who make this work possible🩵🤙🏼💧

Come see us tomorrow! 🏃‍♂️💨
04/24/2026

Come see us tomorrow! 🏃‍♂️💨

Today we celebrated the heart of our program- our volunteers🩵 A simple beach day filled with gratitude, laughter, and so...
03/01/2026

Today we celebrated the heart of our program- our volunteers🩵 A simple beach day filled with gratitude, laughter, and so much aloha. Nothing could say thank you enough to these wonderful humans. Mahalo for everything you do to keep our water quality dreams alive!

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Hilo, HI
96720

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