What is the Blue Water Task Force?

The Blue Water Task Force (BWTF) is the Surfrider Foundation's volunteer water-quality monitoring program. Trained chapter volunteers collect ocean samples on a regular schedule, run them through certified labs (IDEXX Enterolert / Quanti-Tray method), and publish the results within 24 hours at bwtf.surfrider.org. Three active Hawaiʻi chapters — Kauaʻi, Oʻahu, and Maui — collectively monitor over 100 sites that the state Department of Health does not test on a routine basis.

How does BWTF data compare to Hawaii DOH data?

Both compare results against the same Beach Action Value (BAV) of 130 enterococcus per 100 mL. The DOH uses a culture method and reports CFU/100mL; BWTF uses IDEXX Enterolert and reports MPN/100mL. The units differ but the threshold and the public-health interpretation match: above 130, the water exceeds the EPA recreational-water threshold. BWTF tests sites that DOH doesn't routinely visit, so the two datasets are complementary rather than redundant.

Why aren't Molokaʻi and Lanaʻi covered?

Neither the Hawaiʻi Department of Health nor the BWTF runs routine testing on Molokaʻi or Lanaʻi. Maui County Council members (Keani Rawlins-Fernandez on Molokaʻi, Gabe Johnson on Lanaʻi) are pursuing community-funded testing programs to close the gap. See our companion explainer at /molokai-lanai-water-quality-monitoring-gap/.

How often is BWTF data updated?

BWTF chapters publish results within 24 hours of collection. Sampling cadence varies: Oʻahu Chapter samples biweekly; Kauaʻi and Maui Chapters sample monthly. Surfrider also samples after rain events when it can. Our site refreshes the BWTF data weekly via an automated pipeline.

Can BWTF results predict whether it's safe to swim?

BWTF samples are point-in-time measurements; bacterial conditions can change quickly with rain, runoff, or wave patterns. A within-threshold reading from last week does not guarantee current-day conditions. Use BWTF data to see the direction over time at sites the DOH doesn't cover, and always check current DOH advisories at https://eha-cloud.doh.hawaii.gov/cwb/ before swimming.

Hawaiʻi Citizen Water-Quality Testing — Surfrider BWTF Site Coverage

Hawaiʻi BWTF sites

102

With recent sample

100

Active labs

3

Threshold (BAV)

130

MPN/100mL · matches DOH

Data refreshed 2026-05-20. Source: Surfrider Foundation BWTF.

How to Read These Numbers

BWTF and the Hawaiʻi Department of Health both compare results against the same Beach Action Value (BAV) of 130 enterococcus per 100 mL. Above that threshold, the water exceeds the EPA recreational-water guideline.

The two programs use slightly different lab methods, which is why the units differ:

DOH uses the culture-based method (EPA Method 1600 / membrane filtration) and reports CFU/100mL (colony-forming units).
BWTF uses IDEXX Enterolert / Quanti-Tray and reports MPN/100mL (most probable number).

Different units, same interpretation. Both compare to the same 130 BAV. A 200 MPN/100mL BWTF reading is the same public-health concern as a 200 CFU/100mL DOH reading.

By Island

Kauaʻi

Full BWTF lab page →

38 sites · 36 with recent samples · sampled monthly · 49.1% of all 2025 samples exceed the 130 MPN/100mL BAV

Site	Latest sample	Status
Anahola Bay Surf East Kauaʻi see /anahola-beach/ →	886 MPN/100mL 2026-05-09	exceeds BAV BWTF report →
Anahola Stream mouth East Kauaʻi see /anahola-beach/ →	5012 MPN/100mL 2026-05-09	exceeds BAV BWTF report →
Hanamāʻulu Bay Beach East Kauaʻi see /hanamaulu-beach/ →	2064 MPN/100mL 2026-05-09	exceeds BAV BWTF report →
Hanamāʻulu Stream Mouth East Kauaʻi see /hanamaulu-beach/ →	2987 MPN/100mL 2026-05-09	exceeds BAV BWTF report →
Kalapakī Bay Surf East Kauaʻi see /kalapaki-beach/ →	127 MPN/100mL 2026-05-09	within threshold BWTF report →
Keālia Surf East Kauaʻi see /kealia-beach/ →	210 MPN/100mL 2026-05-09	exceeds BAV BWTF report →
Lydgate (Kamalani Bridge) East Kauaʻi see /lydgate-beach/ →	41 MPN/100mL 2026-02-14	within threshold BWTF report →
Lydgate (Morgans Pond) East Kauaʻi see /lydgate-beach/ →	246 MPN/100mL 2026-05-09	exceeds BAV BWTF report →
Moloa'a Stream Mouth East Kauaʻi	2723 MPN/100mL 2026-05-09	exceeds BAV BWTF report →
Nāwiliwili Boat Harbor East Kauaʻi	3609 MPN/100mL 2026-05-09	exceeds BAV BWTF report →
Nāwiliwili Stream East Kauaʻi	3609 MPN/100mL 2026-05-09	exceeds BAV BWTF report →
Wailua River Mouth East Kauaʻi	1860 MPN/100mL 2026-05-09	exceeds BAV BWTF report →
Hanalei Bay (The Bowl) North Kauaʻi see /hanalei-bay/ →	142 MPN/100mL 2026-05-09	exceeds BAV BWTF report →
Hanalei River at Weke Rd. North Kauaʻi	3968 MPN/100mL 2026-05-09	exceeds BAV BWTF report →
Kalihiwai Surf North Kauaʻi see /kalihiwai-beach/ →	148 MPN/100mL 2026-05-09	exceeds BAV BWTF report →
Kāhili Surf (Rock Quarry) North Kauaʻi	85 MPN/100mL 2026-05-09	within threshold BWTF report →
Lumahaʻi River Mouth North Kauaʻi see /lumahai-beach/ →	2723 MPN/100mL 2026-05-09	exceeds BAV BWTF report →
Maniniholo (Pukas surf) North Kauaʻi	31 MPN/100mL 2026-05-09	within threshold BWTF report →
Middles Surf, Hanalei North Kauaʻi	2723 MPN/100mL 2026-05-09	exceeds BAV BWTF report →
Mākua Makai North Kauaʻi see /tunnels-beach-makua/ →	1727 MPN/100mL 2026-01-10	exceeds BAV BWTF report →
Mānoa stream North Kauaʻi	10112 MPN/100mL 2026-05-09	exceeds BAV BWTF report →
Puʻu Pōā Beach (Waileiʻia Stream) North Kauaʻi	1036 MPN/100mL 2026-01-10	exceeds BAV BWTF report →
Tunnels Stream Makua North Kauaʻi see /tunnels-beach/ →	1670 MPN/100mL 2026-05-09	exceeds BAV BWTF report →
Waikoko Surf, Hanalei North Kauaʻi	886 MPN/100mL 2026-05-09	exceeds BAV BWTF report →
Wainiha River Mouth North Kauaʻi	5012 MPN/100mL 2026-05-09	exceeds BAV BWTF report →
Wainiha kepuhi stream North Kauaʻi	8297 MPN/100mL 2026-05-09	exceeds BAV BWTF report →
ʻAnini Boat Ramp North Kauaʻi see /anini-beach/ →	62 MPN/100mL 2026-05-09	within threshold BWTF report →
Salt Pond Surf see /salt-pond-beach/ →	— —	no recent sample BWTF report →
Kukuiʻula Bay South Kauaʻi see /kukuiula-bay/ →	20 MPN/100mL 2026-05-09	within threshold BWTF report →
Waikomo Stream (Koloa Landing) South Kauaʻi	8297 MPN/100mL 2026-05-09	exceeds BAV BWTF report →
Waiohai Surf, Poipu South Kauaʻi	10 MPN/100mL 2026-05-09	within threshold BWTF report →
Davidsons Surf, Kekaha West Kauaʻi	10 MPN/100mL 2026-05-09	within threshold BWTF report →
Hanapēpē River Mouth West Kauaʻi	1174 MPN/100mL 2026-05-09	exceeds BAV BWTF report →
Intersections Surf West Kauaʻi	10 MPN/100mL 2026-05-09	within threshold BWTF report →
Kekaha Intersection Surf West Kauaʻi see /kekaha-beach/ →	— —	no recent sample BWTF report →
Port Allen Boat Harbor West Kauaʻi	158 MPN/100mL 2026-05-09	exceeds BAV BWTF report →
Pākālas Surf West Kauaʻi	294 MPN/100mL 2026-05-09	exceeds BAV BWTF report →
Waimea River Mouth West Kauaʻi see /waimea-bay/ →	368 MPN/100mL 2026-05-09	exceeds BAV BWTF report →

Run by the volunteer-led Surfrider Kauaʻi Chapter. Consider supporting their work if you find this data useful.

Oʻahu

Full BWTF lab page →

32 sites · 32 with recent samples · sampled biweekly · 28.8% of all 2025 samples exceed the 130 MPN/100mL BAV

Site	Latest sample	Status
Chings (Punaluʻu Beach Park) East Oʻahu see /punaluu-beach-park-oahu/ →	12033 MPN/100mL 2026-05-17	exceeds BAV BWTF report →
Hakipuʻu Boat Ramp East Oʻahu	160 MPN/100mL 2026-05-03	exceeds BAV BWTF report →
Heʻeia Stream East Oʻahu	1624 MPN/100mL 2026-05-17	exceeds BAV BWTF report →
Kahaluʻu Beach East Oʻahu see /kahaluu-beach/ →	14136 MPN/100mL 2026-05-17	exceeds BAV BWTF report →
Kailua Beach Park East Oʻahu see /kailua-beach/ →	2142 MPN/100mL 2026-05-17	exceeds BAV BWTF report →
Kaimalino East Oʻahu see /kaimalino-beach/ →	842 MPN/100mL 2026-05-17	exceeds BAV BWTF report →
Mākao East Oʻahu see /makao-beach/ →	10 MPN/100mL 2026-05-17	within threshold BWTF report →
South Kaneohe Bay East Oʻahu see /south-kaneohe-bay/ →	24196 MPN/100mL 2026-05-17	exceeds BAV BWTF report →
Waimanalo Stream East Oʻahu see /waimanalo-beach/ →	24196 MPN/100mL 2026-05-17	exceeds BAV BWTF report →
Waiāhole Beach Park East Oʻahu see /waiahole-beach-park/ →	30 MPN/100mL 2026-04-19	within threshold BWTF report →
Inoaole Stream	97 MPN/100mL 2024-07-14	within threshold BWTF report →
Ehukai North O'ahu see /ehukai-beach/ →	10 MPN/100mL 2026-03-28	within threshold BWTF report →
Fresh Airs North O'ahu	10 MPN/100mL 2026-03-28	within threshold BWTF report →
Chocolates North Oʻahu	313 MPN/100mL 2026-05-03	exceeds BAV BWTF report →
Kahaone Place North Oʻahu	20 MPN/100mL 2026-05-03	within threshold BWTF report →
Kaiaka Bay North Oʻahu see /kaiaka-bay/ →	10 MPN/100mL 2026-05-03	within threshold BWTF report →
Pūpūkea tidepools North Oʻahu see /pupukea-beach/ →	10 MPN/100mL 2026-05-03	within threshold BWTF report →
Hui Nalu Canoe Launch South Oʻahu see /hui-nalu-hawaii-kai/ →	52 MPN/100mL 2026-05-17	within threshold BWTF report →
Kaimana Beach South Oʻahu see /kaimana-beach/ →	10 MPN/100mL 2026-05-17	within threshold BWTF report →
Kaʻalāwai (Black Point-East) South Oʻahu see /kaalawai-beach/ →	10 MPN/100mL 2026-04-19	within threshold BWTF report →
Kaʻalāwai (Black Point/Cromwells) South Oʻahu see /kaalawai-beach/ →	10 MPN/100mL 2026-04-19	within threshold BWTF report →
Kuliʻouʻou Stream South Oʻahu	882 MPN/100mL 2026-05-17	exceeds BAV BWTF report →
Magic Island Bowls South Oʻahu see /magic-island-honolulu/ →	288 MPN/100mL 2026-05-17	exceeds BAV BWTF report →
Magic Island Canoe Launch South Oʻahu see /magic-island-honolulu/ →	4106 MPN/100mL 2026-05-17	exceeds BAV BWTF report →
Makalei Beach Park South Oʻahu see /makalei-beach-park/ →	10 MPN/100mL 2026-05-17	within threshold BWTF report →
Waialae Beach Park South Oʻahu see /waialae-beach/ →	10 MPN/100mL 2025-08-10	within threshold BWTF report →
Wailupe Beach Park South Oʻahu see /wailupe-beach-park/ →	52 MPN/100mL 2026-05-17	within threshold BWTF report →
Kaupuni Stream West Oʻahu	320 MPN/100mL 2026-05-14	exceeds BAV BWTF report →
Pililāʻau West Oʻahu see /pililaau-beach/ →	98 MPN/100mL 2026-05-14	within threshold BWTF report →
Pōkaʻi Bay- Inside West Oʻahu see /pokai-bay/ →	10 MPN/100mL 2026-05-14	within threshold BWTF report →
Pōkaʻi Bay- outside West Oʻahu see /pokai-bay/ →	20 MPN/100mL 2026-01-08	within threshold BWTF report →
Ulehawa Canal West Oʻahu	292 MPN/100mL 2026-05-14	exceeds BAV BWTF report →

Run by the volunteer-led Surfrider Oʻahu Chapter. Consider supporting their work if you find this data useful.

Maui

Full BWTF lab page →

32 sites · 32 with recent samples · sampled monthly · 20.7% of all 2025 samples exceed the 130 MPN/100mL BAV

Site	Latest sample	Status
Hāmoa Beach East Maui see /hamoa-beach/ →	10 MPN/100mL 2026-03-09	within threshold BWTF report →
Hāna Bay East Maui see /hana-bay/ →	213 MPN/100mL 2026-03-09	exceeds BAV BWTF report →
Hāneo'o Fish Pond East Maui	120 MPN/100mL 2026-03-09	within threshold BWTF report →
Kōki Beach Shorebreak East Maui see /koki-beach/ →	183 MPN/100mL 2026-03-09	exceeds BAV BWTF report →
Kōkī Beach at Kaholopo'o Rivermouth East Maui see /koki-beach/ →	135 MPN/100mL 2026-03-09	exceeds BAV BWTF report →
Waioka East Maui see /waioka-venus-pool/ →	448 MPN/100mL 2026-03-09	exceeds BAV BWTF report →
Baby Beach North Maui see /baby-beach-paia/ →	10 MPN/100mL 2026-04-15	within threshold BWTF report →
Hōʻokipa Beach Park E North Maui see /hookipa-beach/ →	10 MPN/100mL 2026-04-15	within threshold BWTF report →
Kahului Harbor North Maui see /kahului-beach/ →	247 MPN/100mL 2026-04-15	exceeds BAV BWTF report →
Kanahā - Kalialinui Stream North Maui see /kanaha-beach/ →	20 MPN/100mL 2026-04-15	within threshold BWTF report →
Kūʻau Cove (Mama's Beach) North Maui see /kuau-cove/ →	10 MPN/100mL 2026-04-15	within threshold BWTF report →
Māliko Bay North Maui see /maliko-bay/ →	602 MPN/100mL 2026-04-15	exceeds BAV BWTF report →
Pāʻia Bay North Maui see /paia-bay/ →	10 MPN/100mL 2026-04-15	within threshold BWTF report →
Tavares Beach North Maui see /tavares-beach/ →	10 MPN/100mL 2026-04-15	within threshold BWTF report →
Waiehu Stream North Maui	31 MPN/100mL 2026-04-15	within threshold BWTF report →
Wailuku Stream North Maui	10 MPN/100mL 2026-04-15	within threshold BWTF report →
Kalepolepo Beach Park South Maui see /kalepolepo-beach-park/ →	10 MPN/100mL 2026-04-15	within threshold BWTF report →
Kihei Canoe Club South Maui	10 MPN/100mL 2026-04-15	within threshold BWTF report →
Māʻalaea Bay South Maui see /maalaea-beach/ →	10 MPN/100mL 2026-04-15	within threshold BWTF report →
Waipuilani South Maui see /waipuilani-beach/ →	41 MPN/100mL 2026-04-15	within threshold BWTF report →
Baby Beach West Maui see /baby-beach-lahaina/ →	10 MPN/100mL 2026-04-15	within threshold BWTF report →
Front Street Park West Maui see /front-street-park-lahaina/ →	10 MPN/100mL 2026-01-14	within threshold BWTF report →
Guard Rails West Maui see /guard-rails-lahaina/ →	20 MPN/100mL 2026-04-15	within threshold BWTF report →
Honolua Bay West Maui see /honolua-bay/ →	83 MPN/100mL 2026-04-15	within threshold BWTF report →
Lāhainā Harbor West Maui see /lahaina-beach/ →	10 MPN/100mL 2026-04-15	within threshold BWTF report →
Mala Ramp West Maui see /mala-ramp-lahaina/ →	345 MPN/100mL 2026-04-15	exceeds BAV BWTF report →
Olowalu Mile Marker 14 West Maui see /olowalu-beach/ →	10 MPN/100mL 2026-04-15	within threshold BWTF report →
Olowalu Surf Spot West Maui see /olowalu-beach/ →	10 MPN/100mL 2026-04-15	within threshold BWTF report →
Pohaku Park (S Turns) West Maui see /pohaku-park-lahaina/ →	10 MPN/100mL 2026-04-15	within threshold BWTF report →
Polanui-Uhailio (Shark Pit) West Maui see /shark-pit-lahaina/ →	10 MPN/100mL 2026-04-15	within threshold BWTF report →
Punalau (windmills) West Maui see /punalau-beach/ →	10 MPN/100mL 2026-04-15	within threshold BWTF report →
Ukumehame/Thousand Peaks West Maui see /ukumehame-beach/ →	10 MPN/100mL 2026-04-15	within threshold BWTF report →

Run by the volunteer-led Surfrider Maui Chapter. Consider supporting their work if you find this data useful.

The Gap: Molokaʻi and Lanaʻi

Neither BWTF nor the state DOH runs routine bacteria testing on Molokaʻi or Lanaʻi. Both Maui County Council members representing those islands are pursuing community-funded testing programs to close that gap.

Read the full coverage-gap explainer →

Note on Hawaiʻi Island (Big Island)

Big Island had a BWTF lab in earlier years but is no longer active in 2024-26. The community group Hawaiʻi Wai Ola handles some Big Island testing instead.

Related Guides

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Why Molokaʻi & Lanaʻi Aren't Tested

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Hawaii Brown Water Advisory Guide

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Attribution & Disclaimer: All BWTF data on this page is sourced from the Surfrider Foundation Blue Water Task Force at bwtf.surfrider.org. Each result links back to the lab's full report. Tests are point-in-time samples; conditions change with weather, runoff, and wave patterns. This page describes water-quality test results — not a swim recommendation. Physical hazards (shore break, rip currents, surf) are independent of bacteria readings. Always check current advisories at the Hawaii DOH Clean Water Branch before swimming.