Water quality status and bacteria risk rating for Isaac Hale Park
📍 Puna, Big Island — New black sand from 2018 eruption
Pohoiki Beach has a moderate bacteria risk, primarily due to the geothermal hot springs and warm thermal pools. The warm, sometimes stagnant water conditions created by volcanic activity are ideal for bacteria growth. The beach was formed during the 2018 Kilauea eruption when lava entered the ocean.
The thermal pools are the primary bacteria concern — warm water promotes faster bacterial multiplication compared to cooler ocean water. The open ocean area has different conditions but can also be dangerous due to strong currents and shore break on the Puna coast. The Puna district receives heavy rainfall, which adds runoff concerns. DOH has posted advisories for the thermal pools in the past.
Based on: Geothermal warm water conditions, stagnant pool bacteria growth, heavy Puna rainfall, DOH thermal pool advisories
The Department of Health recommends staying out of the ocean for at least 72 hours after heavy rain. The Puna coast receives some of the heaviest rainfall in Hawaii, and runoff can significantly increase bacteria levels. The thermal pools are particularly vulnerable to contamination after rain events.
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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.
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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