UPDATE: High bacteria count advisory now also canceled at Waiʻoli Beach Park in Hanalei

This story was updated at 10:12 a.m. June 20, 2026.

A high bacteria count advisory at a Kauaʻi North Shore beach park is now canceled, just less than 2 hours after state health officials notified the public that another water quality advisory was nixed for the same beach.

Hawaiʻi Department of Health Clean Water Branch reports water test results at Waiʻoli Beach Park in Hanalei showed levels of enterococci bacteria no longer exceed the acceptable threshold.

The department sent an email about the high bacteria count advisory cancellation shortly before 9:30 a.m. June 20. Officials sent an email just after 7:30 a.m. Saturday advising that a brown water advisory previously in effect for the beach was canceled.

There are no longer any water quality advisories in effect for the park.

Both advisories were originally issued earlier this week following periods of heavy rain on the Garden Isle.

Despite the water quality improvement at the North Shore beach, health officials continue to urge the public to avoid brown, murky coastal waters, especially after storms or heavy rainfall.

Remember: if the water is brown, turn around.

Hawaiʻi Department of Health advises the public to avoid swimming, wading in or drinking water from any freshwater streams or pond to prevent the bacterial infection leptospirosis.

Coastal waters can contain higher-than-normal pollutant levels after heavy rainfall runs from land into the ocean. Officials recommend staying out of those affected waters for 48 to 72 hours after the rain stops and after the beach receives full sunshine.

Click here for additional details about the original brown water advisory.

The high bacteria count advisory was issued after routine water monitoring of water at the beach discovered an elevated enterococci level of 238 per 100 mL; the acceptable threshold is 130 enterococci per 100 mL.

Testing indicated potentially harmful microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, protozoa or parasites could be present in the water, and swimming or enjoying other ocean activities in water polluted with the fecal bacteria can cause illness or infection, especially in children, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems.

Click here for additional information about the original high bacteria count advisory and here to learn more about possible beach illnesses and infections.