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Hanakaoo Beach Park

Water quality status and bacteria risk rating

Also known as: Canoe Beach, Hanakaoʻo

📍 Between the Hyatt Regency and Sheraton Maui on the Kaʻanapali coast

Checking live advisories…
30-Day Water Quality History
30/30 days advisory-free · no DOH advisories posted in the past 30 days
Sep 25 · No active advisorySep 26 · No active advisorySep 27 · No active advisorySep 28 · No active advisorySep 29 · No active advisorySep 30 · No active advisoryOct 1 · No active advisoryOct 2 · No active advisoryOct 3 · No active advisoryOct 4 · No active advisoryOct 5 · No active advisoryOct 6 · No active advisoryOct 7 · No active advisoryOct 8 · No active advisoryOct 9 · No active advisoryOct 10 · No active advisoryOct 11 · No active advisoryOct 12 · No active advisoryOct 13 · No active advisoryOct 14 · No active advisoryOct 15 · No active advisoryOct 16 · No active advisoryOct 17 · No active advisoryOct 18 · No active advisoryOct 19 · No active advisoryOct 20 · No active advisoryOct 21 · No active advisoryOct 22 · No active advisoryOct 23 · No active advisoryOct 24 · No active advisory
Sep 25 through Oct 24
EPA recreational threshold: 130 CFU/100mL enterococcus
Trend: — stable
advisory-free Brown Water Advisory Beach Advisory (bacteria)
Historical Pattern · 3-year monthly
January — 76% advisory-free historicallyFebruary — 53% advisory-free historicallyMarch — 83% advisory-free historicallyApril — 88% advisory-free historicallyMay — 80% advisory-free historicallyJune — 100% advisory-free historicallyJuly — 95% advisory-free historicallyAugust — 81% advisory-free historicallySeptember — 84% advisory-free historicallyOctober — 100% advisory-free historicallyNovember — 98% advisory-free historicallyDecember — 92% advisory-free historically JFMAMJJASOND
Historically most advisory-free in June (100% advisory-free) and most advisoried in February (53% advisory-free). Current 30-day window is tracking about average for October.
Source: Hawaii DOH Clean Water Branch · Updated 2026-10-25
⚠
If It Looks Brown, Don't Swim
Never enter the ocean when the water appears brown or murky, even if no advisory is posted. Hawaii is often slow to test beaches and update advisories — not every beach is monitored. Avoid swimming during or immediately after heavy rain and stay out of brown or murky water. Elapsed time and clear-looking water do not establish water quality. Follow any DOH advisory affecting this beach until DOH lifts it.
Learn more about brown water advisories →
Historical Bacteria Risk
⚠ Historical rating — this is based on long-term testing data, not current conditions. The state of Hawaii is often slow to test beaches and update advisories. Always check the water yourself and avoid brown or murky water.
Elevated Risk 3 / 5

Hanakaoo Beach Park, also known as Canoe Beach, has a documented pattern of recurring bacteria contamination. The February 2026 reading of 1,298 enterococci per 100mL was over 10 times the recreational swimming threshold (130 CFU/100mL EPA standard) — the worst reading on record for this location.

Previous advisories were issued in 2018 (178/100mL), 2019 (238/100mL), and 2020 (137/100mL). The pattern suggests chronic infrastructure issues — urban runoff, stormwater drainage, and nearby cesspools contribute bacteria to the water, particularly after rain. This beach is located just south of the Ka'anapali resort area.

Based on: DOH Beach Advisory history (2018, 2019, 2020, 2026), Maui Now reporting, proximity to urban runoff sources

⚠️ After-Rain Precautions

The 72-hour rule is especially important at Hanakaoo. Given this beach's history of bacteria exceedances after rain, exercise extra caution. The contamination sources — stormwater drainage, cesspool overflow, and urban runoff — are all activated by rainfall. Even if the water looks clear, bacteria can persist.

Hanakaoo Beach Park Area Hotels — Historical Beach Water Quality
🏨 Ka'anapali Beach Hotels
Sheraton, Marriott, Westin —€” 5-10 min walk north
Elevated
🏨 Lahaina Town Rentals
South of Hanakaoo, 5-15 min drive
Moderate
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Guide → Ka'anapali Area Guide — Beaches, Water Quality & Tips→ Hanakaoo Vs Kaanapali — Water Quality Compared→
Hanakaoo Beach Park Water Quality by Month
January February March April May June July August September October November December
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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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