HONOLULU (AP) — State officials are testing water in a Honolulu canal after nearly 13,000 gallons of sewage overflowed near the University of Hawaii at Manoa.
The Friday night spill has affected some beach activities as signs have been posted at the entrance of the Ala Wai Boat Harbor warning visitors about unsafe water. A bodyboarding competition expected to bring out about 100 participants was cancelled Saturday because of the possible threat of illness.
“It’s unfortunate that you know, the situation occurred, but I think this is a tour for the riders and we want to make sure that they’re taken care of and looked after and I think this is the best action we could’ve taken,” event organizer Mike Stewart told KHON-TV.
Officials say debris caused the spill, which entered a storm drain that empties into the Ala Wai Canal.
Crews were able to release the blockage and have cleaned and disinfected the area.
The Hawaii Department of Health has been notified and water samples were taken for testing.
Several beachgoers who disregarded the warning signs told KHON-TV they thought they had been posted because of the brown water advisories issued after Tropical Storm Darby. The advisories were issued for coastal water off Oahu, the Big Island and Kauai from storm and flood runoff.
Heavy rains after the storm also led to several sewage spills across Oahu, including 42,000 gallons at the Kailua Wastewater Treatment Plant.