Water quality status and bacteria risk rating
📍 West Oʻahu, near Ko Olina
Electric Beach (Kahe Point) is a popular snorkeling spot on Oʻahu's West Side with generally good water quality. The warm water outflow from the adjacent Kahe Power Plant attracts dolphins, turtles, and abundant marine life. Open ocean exposure provides strong flushing, but the warmer discharge water can occasionally encourage bacterial growth under certain conditions.
The Leeward Coast is generally dry, which reduces runoff risk compared to wetter parts of the island. However, after heavy rain, storm water can still wash contaminants into the nearshore area. The power plant discharge is warm but non-toxic cooling water — it does not contain sewage or industrial chemicals.
Based on: DOH beach monitoring, power plant warm water outflow, open ocean exposure, dry leeward climate
The Department of Health recommends staying out of the ocean for at least 72 hours after heavy rain. Electric Beach has open ocean exposure on the dry Leeward Coast, which helps with flushing, but storm runoff can still affect water quality. Always check the water visually before entering.
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⚠️ Important Disclaimer
Safe to Swim Hawaii is an independent passion project — it is not affiliated with the Hawaii Department of Health or any government agency. Water quality ratings on this site are estimates based on publicly available testing data and geographic analysis. They are not real-time measurements and may not reflect current conditions. “No DOH Alerts” means no advisory is currently posted — it does not mean the water was tested and found safe. DOH only monitors a fraction of Hawaii’s beaches, and some areas have no regular testing at all.
Always verify current water quality conditions with the Hawaii Department of Health Clean Water Branch before entering the water. This site is for informational purposes only and should not be the sole basis for any swimming decisions.
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