Ocean water quality samples taken from seven sites off the Lahaina burn zone showed no high bacteria levels five months after the Aug. 8 wildfires, according to the 2023 Blue Water Task Force water quality report released by the Surfrider Foundation Hawaiʻi.
Brown Water Advisories have been issued from Papalaua Beach Park to the north side of Ukumehame in West Maui, and in South Maui from the Kīhei Kai Oceanfront Condominiums to Kalepolepo Beach Park on Maui.
During brown water advisories, the DOH suspends all water testing until the advisory has been lifted. The Surfrider Foundation believes DOH needs to continue regular testing even during the advisories.