Kiera Jefferson
Hawaii is known for its pristine, clear turquoise water, but unfortunately, it is not always the case. Three Hawaiian beaches were ranked among the most polluted in the US in the Surfrider Foundation's 2022 Clean Water Report. Kalapaki Beach, Hanamaulu Beach, and Kahaluu Beach on Oahu, located near Kailua, are polluted 100%, 80%, and 88% of the time, respectively. The cause of pollution in Hawaii's ocean water is often attributed to antiquated cesspools, which contribute millions of gallons of raw sewage into the state's groundwater and surface water. Kailua itself has had issues with water pollution, with the Kaelepulu Stream being a significant source of contamination until the late 1960s, when the Kailua wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) was constructed. While the WWTP has helped improve water quality, there are still concerns about pollution levels in Kailua Bay, with citizen groups advocating for further action from the government.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Water Pollution | Kaelepulu Stream was polluted until about 60 years ago. |
| Water Contamination | There is no sanitary sewer contamination source to the system, except in rare cases of equipment malfunction or flooding. |
| Bacterial Contamination | Relatively high levels of Enterococcus bacteria have been found in the water, but low counts of Clostridium bacteria. |
| Mangrove Removal | Removal of mangroves has been beneficial to water quality. |
| Air Pollution | PM2.5 concentration currently meets the WHO annual PM2.5 guideline. |
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What You'll Learn
Kailua Bay and Beach pollution
Hawaii is known for its pristine, clear turquoise water, but unfortunately, that isn't always the case. In 2022, three of Hawaii's beaches were ranked among the most polluted in the US, and citizens of Kailua have also raised concerns about the pollution of Kailua Bay and Beach.
The Kaelepulu Stream, which flows into Kailua Bay, has been a particular source of concern for residents. In the past, the stream was undoubtedly polluted. Before the construction of the Oneawa canal and Kawainui levee, the sanitary sewers from Olomana flowed directly into the Kawainui stream and then into the Kaelepulu Stream. Even after the completion of the Kailua wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) in 1965, the new development around Enchanted Lake continued to discharge raw sewage into the stream. By the late 1990s, citizens noticed issues with fish die-offs and foul-smelling water, leading to the DOH listing Kaelepulu on the "303(d) List of Impaired Waters" in 2002.
However, more recent studies have provided conflicting evidence regarding the pollution levels in Kailua Bay and Beach. The Kailua Bay Study, conducted by scientists from the University of Hawaii, concluded that the treated sewage released from the WWTP at a depth of 90 feet rarely reached the surface due to mixing from the currents. Additionally, groundwater flow through Kailua Beach kept surface waters flowing away from the shoreline. As a result, the study asserted that effluent from the WWTP outfall does not impact Kailua Beach.
Nevertheless, another scientist, R. Fujioka, detected relatively high levels of Enterococcus bacteria in the water, which can have non-human sources such as soil, waterfowl, and various animals. The presence of mangroves has also been identified as a contributing factor to water quality issues. While community groups have successfully removed mangroves from some areas, the City has not effectively cleared mangroves from the areas under its management, leading to re-population through seed dispersal.
While there have been improvements in the water quality of Kailua Bay and Beach, ongoing concerns about pollution persist, highlighting the need for continued monitoring and effective pollution mitigation strategies.
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Kaelepulu Stream pollution
The Kaelepulu Stream in Kailua, Hawaii, has historically been a source of pollution, with sanitary sewers from Olomana and raw sewage from new developments flowing directly into the stream until the completion of the Kailua wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) in 1965. Citizens of Kailua noticed issues with fish die-offs and foul-smelling water, which led to the stream being placed on the "303(d) List of Impaired Waters" in 2002. While there may be occasional sanitary sewer contamination due to equipment malfunction or flooding, the primary source of bacterial contamination in the stream is non-human, including sources such as soil, animals, and waterfowl.
The pollution in the Kaelepulu Stream has been a concern for residents and environmental groups, who formed an organization called Save Our Bays and Beaches (SOBB) to address the issue. The group challenged the city to address the pollution coming from the WWTP's outfall, which led to the government commissioning the $5 million Kailua Bay Study. The study concluded that the treated sewage released at a depth of 90 feet did not impact Kailua Beach due to the mixing of currents.
However, the study also found relatively high levels of Enterococcus bacteria in the water, which can have non-human sources. The removal of mangroves has been identified as beneficial to improving water quality, but the City has been ineffective in clearing mangroves from areas under its management, leading to re-population in the streams. Stagnation in the distal end of the Kawainui branch of the stream due to a lack of flow is also a concern.
The pollution in the Kaelepulu Stream is not an isolated issue, as Hawaii has struggled with polluted beaches and ocean water due to antiquated cesspools that contribute raw sewage to the state's groundwater and surface water. The Surfrider Foundation, founded in 1984, has made improving coastal water quality a top priority through initiatives like the Clean Water Report, which highlighted the pollution issues affecting Hawaii's beaches. Overall, while some measures have been taken to address the pollution in the Kaelepulu Stream, it continues to be a concern for residents and environmental groups in Kailua, Hawaii.
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Kailua air quality
The air quality in Kailua, Hawaii, is generally good, with the PM2.5 concentration currently meeting the WHO annual PM2.5 guideline. However, there has been some concern about pollution in the nearby Kaelepulu Stream and Kailua Bay.
Kaelepulu Stream, which flows into Kailua Bay, has a history of pollution. Until the late 1960s, sanitary sewers from Olomana and raw sewage from new developments around Enchanted Lake flowed directly into the stream. While the construction of a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) and other infrastructure improvements have helped, concerns remain about the impact of treated sewage released from the WWTP into the bay.
The government hired scientists from the University of Hawaii to conduct the $5M Kailua Bay Study. The study concluded that the treated sewage released at a depth of 90 feet from the outfall rarely reached the surface due to mixing from the currents. However, another scientist found relatively high levels of Enterococcus bacteria in the water, which can have non-human sources such as soil, waterfowl, and animals.
Additionally, there have been efforts to improve water quality in Kailua Bay by removing mangroves, which have been successful in some areas but less effective in areas managed by the city. While the Kawainui branch of the stream has shown stagnant sections due to a lack of flow, overall, the water quality in Kailua Bay appears to be improving due to the efforts of various organizations and government agencies.
While specific data on air pollution levels in Kailua is limited, the presence of volcanic activity in Hawaii can contribute to air quality issues. The Interagency Vog Dashboard, a partnership between various organizations and government agencies, monitors volcanic emissions and their impact on air quality. Overall, while there have been concerns about water pollution in Kailua, the air quality in the area appears to be generally good, with PM2.5 levels within acceptable limits.
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Sanitary sewer contamination
Kailua's sanitary sewer contamination is a pressing issue that has received attention from concerned citizens and government agencies alike. The primary concern is the impact of sewage on the local water bodies, particularly the Kaelepulu Stream and Kailua Bay.
Historically, the Kaelepulu Stream received direct sewage inflows from sanitary sewers in Olomana and the surrounding areas. This resulted in polluted water flowing into Kailua Bay. The construction of the Kailua wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) in 1965 was a significant step towards addressing this issue. However, even after the WWTP's completion, some areas, such as Enchanted Lake, continued to discharge raw sewage into the stream.
In recent years, citizens' groups like Save Our Bays and Beaches (SOBB) have actively advocated for addressing pollution from the WWTP's outfall into Kailua Bay. Their efforts led the government to commission the $5 million Kailua Bay Study, conducted by scientists from the University of Hawaii. The study concluded that treated sewage released at a depth of 90 feet from the outfall rarely reached the surface due to mixing currents. Additionally, groundwater flow through Kailua Beach further reduced the likelihood of effluent impacting the shoreline.
While the study provided some reassurance regarding the effluent from the WWTP, it also highlighted the need to investigate other potential sources of contamination, such as the Oneawa and Kaelepulu canals. Subsequent investigations by scientists revealed relatively high levels of Enterococcus bacteria in the water, which can have non-human sources within the estuary, including soil, animals, and waterfowl. However, the presence of Clostridium bacteria, specific to human contamination, was found to be extremely low.
The sanitary sewer contamination in Kailua is now largely under control, with equipment malfunction or large floods being the only rare exceptions. The removal of mangroves has also positively impacted water quality. However, the city's ineffective clearing of mangroves in certain areas has led to re-population concerns, requiring continued management and attention.
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Mangrove removal
Mangroves are a type of tree that grows in coastal areas and can have both positive and negative impacts on the environment. In the context of Kailua, Hawaii, the removal of mangroves has been identified as a beneficial measure for improving water quality.
Historically, the Kaelepulu Stream that flows into Kailua Bay has faced pollution issues. Citizens of Kailua observed problems with fish die-offs and unpleasant odours, indicating that the water quality did not meet the required standards. In response, the Department of Health (DOH) listed Kaelepulu on the "303(d) List of Impaired Waters" in 2002. Efforts were made to identify the sources of pollution, including studies conducted by the USGS and a UH professor.
The presence of mangroves in Kailua has been mentioned in relation to water quality. While community groups and organisations have successfully removed a significant portion of mangroves, the City has been less effective in clearing mangroves from areas under its management. This inaction has led to the repopulation of streams with mangrove seeds. The removal of mangroves is believed to positively impact water quality.
It is important to note that the discussion around mangrove removal should consider the specific ecological context of Kailua. The benefits of mangrove removal in this case are likely due to the improvement of water flow and the reduction of stagnant areas. However, mangroves are also recognised for their ecological benefits, including shoreline stabilisation, habitat provision, and coastal protection.
Overall, the removal of mangroves in Kailua has been identified as a necessary step to improve water quality and address the issues faced by the Kaelepulu Stream. While mangroves can have positive ecological impacts in certain contexts, their presence in Kailua has been associated with water stagnation and pollution. By effectively removing mangroves and improving water flow, the water quality in Kailua can be enhanced.
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Frequently asked questions
There is some pollution in Kailua. The main pollutant is PM2.5, which currently meets the WHO annual PM2.5 guideline.
The main source of pollution in Kailua is the Kaelepulu Stream, which used to drain directly into Kailua Bay. While there is no longer sanitary sewer contamination, there are still high levels of Enterococcus bacteria in the water.
The government has responded to the pollution by hiring scientists from the University of Hawaii to conduct a $5M study on Kailua Bay. The results of this study showed that the treated sewage released at a depth of 90 feet from the outfall rarely reached the surface due to mixing from the currents.
The health risks associated with the pollution in Kailua are unclear. However, it is important to note that the presence of bacteria and other contaminants in the water can pose potential risks to human health.
People in Kailua can take steps to reduce their exposure to pollution, such as using air purifiers indoors and staying informed about real-time air quality data. Additionally, the Surfrider Foundation works to improve coastal water quality and reduce pollution, so it is safe to surf, swim and play in the ocean.
