KAILUA-KONA — The bay is open.
The State Department of Health said Thursday that the water quality in Kailua Bay was safe for water activities, following a sewage spill that occurred early this week.
The discharge of untreated wastewater took place on Monday at the shoreline near Alii Drive in Kailua-Kona, and sections of corroded sewer pipe have been replaced, stopping further releases of sewage into the bay, the Department of Environmental Management said.
Water quality tests have shown it’s safe to go back into the water.
“The Department of Health reviewed the most recent sample test results, and found that all sample points were well below state standards for contamination,” DEM Director William Kucharski said in a press release.
All warning signs barring swimming and fishing in the affected area have been removed, and the beaches have reopened.
The leak occurred on Palani Road fronting King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel. Crews discovered the 55-year-old, 6-inch cast iron pipe had corroded. Mayor Harry Kim said Wednesday the aging infrastructure is something the county is going to have to address islandwide.
Kucharski said the pipes beneath Alii Drive are among the oldest on Hawaii and upgrading and modernizing the system could be a multi-million dollar endeavor.
The Department of Environmental Management said that repairs to the ruptured main line at Alii Drive and Palani Road fronting King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel are complete with final pavement work to come at a later date.
“Mayor Kim wants to thank all our visitors and residents for their patience and understanding during this very trying period,” Kucharski said.