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OʻAHU · WINDWARD · KAIMALINO

Kaimalino

Windward-Oʻahu local beach in the Kāneʻohe Bay area — Surfrider BWTF community testing

Community Water Testing
The Hawai‘i Department of Health does not run routine bacteria-testing here. The readings below come from the Surfrider Foundation’s volunteer Blue Water Task Force, which fills coverage gaps DOH doesn’t reach.
Community Testing · Surfrider BWTF
Kaimalino
Last sample 2026-04-19 · view full report →
41 MPN/100mL
within threshold
About: Volunteer water-quality monitoring by the Surfrider Foundation's Blue Water Task Force. Method: IDEXX Enterolert (MPN/100mL). Threshold: 130 MPN/100mL Beach Action Value — matches Hawaii DOH. Sampling: monthly (Kauaʻi/Maui), biweekly (Oʻahu).
Source: Surfrider Foundation Blue Water Task Force · Updated 2026-04-25
Bacteria Risk Estimate
2 / 5 — Moderate-Low
BWTF tested · biweekly

Kaimalino is the local beach on windward Oʻahu's Kāneʻohe Bay coast — quieter than the main Kāneʻohe waterfront, frequented by residents. The latest Surfrider BWTF sample (2026-04-19) measured 41 MPN/100mL — within the 130 BAV threshold. The Hawaii DOH does not routinely test this beach.

Why the Readings Run the Way They Do
Reef-protected, windward stream context

Kaimalino sits within the larger Kāneʻohe Bay system, sheltered behind the bay's barrier reef. Recent BWTF reading was 41 MPN/100mL — within the 130 BAV threshold but at the lower-middle of the windward-Oʻahu range.

The Kāneʻohe Bay watershed includes multiple streams that elevate readings after rain. Kaimalino's relatively local sub-area has been less affected than the bay's southern flank near Heʻeia, but the same overall windward pattern applies.

Wait 72 hours after rain. The reef-protected geometry means this beach is calmer than open-coast windward spots, but flushing is also slower.

🌧️
After Rain — Wait Times
Light rain: 72 hours minimum, then visually verify the water has cleared.
Moderate rain: 4–7 days.
Storm or Kona low: wait until the water returns to clear blue-green visually. Can take 1–2+ weeks in extreme cases.
Testing Coverage

The Hawaii Department of Health does NOT routinely test Kaimalino. The community-tested readings on this page come from the Surfrider Foundation Blue Water Task Force, a volunteer-led monitoring program run by the Surfrider Oʻahu chapter.

BWTF samples Kaimalino biweekly using the IDEXX Enterolert method (MPN/100mL), and compares results against the same 130 Beach Action Value DOH uses statewide. See our overview of citizen water-quality testing in Hawaiʻi for the methodology and how BWTF data fits with DOH coverage.

Practical Notes
Where to Enter

Sandy entry from the central area. Reef-sheltered lagoon — calm year-round. Watch for sea urchins on the rocky margins.

When It's at Its Best

Quiet trade-wind mornings. Local-only feel. Better organized swim spots elsewhere — Kaimalino is more of a fish-and-relax beach than a swim destination.

Getting There

Windward Oʻahu's Kāneʻohe area. Limited roadside parking. About 25 minutes from Honolulu via H-3.

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⚠️ Important Disclaimer

Safe to Swim Hawaii is an independent passion project — not affiliated with the Hawaii Department of Health, the Surfrider Foundation, or any government agency. Bacteria readings on this page come from the Surfrider Blue Water Task Force, a volunteer-led monitoring program. Readings are point-in-time samples; conditions change with weather, runoff, and wave patterns. They are not real-time measurements and may not reflect current conditions.

Always verify current water quality conditions with the Hawaii DOH Clean Water Branch and BWTF directly before entering the water.

This site does not recommend or advise anyone to swim at any beach. We share publicly available data and geographic analysis so you can make your own informed decisions. By using this site you accept full responsibility for your own safety. See our Terms of Use for full details.

When in doubt, don't go out. 🤙

© 2026 Safe to Swim Hawaii · Independent passion project · safetoswimhawaii@gmail.com