Water quality status and bacteria risk rating
📍 North Maui, near Kahului
Waihēʻe Beach Park is a hidden gem on north Maui, located in the Waihēʻe community northwest of Kahului. The beach faces the Pailolo Channel between Maui and Molokaʻi, offering dramatic views across the water. It is primarily a locals' beach, rarely visited by tourists. The Waihēʻe Valley above the beach is one of Maui's agricultural valleys, historically known for taro farming.
Waihēʻe Beach Park is a hidden gem on north Maui, popular with locals but rarely visited by tourists. The beach sits directly at the mouth of Waihēʻe Stream, which drains agricultural valley lands and creates elevated bacteria risk after rain. Between the stream and nearby farms, water quality can vary significantly.
On dry, sunny days when trade winds are steady, the ocean can flush the area and conditions improve. The beach is rarely calm enough for comfortable swimming due to trade wind chop. It's better as a whale watching spot (Dec–Apr) and a scenic stop than a swimming destination.
Based on: stream mouth proximity, agricultural valley runoff, trade wind exposure
Wait at least 72 hours after heavy rain before swimming. Stream mouths like Waihēʻe concentrate agricultural runoff directly into swimming areas.
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Free alerts when water quality changes — brown water advisories, bacteria warnings, and all-clear notices.
Safe to Swim Hawaii aggregates water quality data from six independent sources to provide broader coverage than any single agency. Our sources include the Hawaii Department of Health Clean Water Branch (beach advisories and bacteria testing), USGS National Water Information System (25 stream monitoring stations across all islands), NOAA CO-OPS (tide levels and water temperature), NDBC (wave buoys and ocean conditions), NWS Honolulu (weather and marine alerts), and City & County of Honolulu Environmental Services (Kailua Bay water testing and spill reports).
Historical bacteria risk ratings on this site are based on DOH testing data, Surfrider Foundation monitoring, geographic analysis (stream proximity, cesspool contamination areas, coastal development), and advisory frequency. These are historical assessments, not live measurements. Always check the live advisory status at the top of each page and verify conditions with the Hawaii DOH Clean Water Branch before entering the water.
Less rainfall means less runoff and generally cleaner ocean water across all islands. Stream flows drop, reducing bacteria transport to coastal areas. This is typically the best time for ocean water quality, though localized contamination from cesspools and urban runoff can still occur.
Frequent heavy rain events cause stream flooding, sewage overflows, and brown water advisories. Windward and north-facing coasts receive more rain. The DOH issues the most advisories during this period. Leeward coasts (west-facing) generally stay drier and cleaner year-round.
Water quality patterns vary significantly by location. Beaches near stream mouths and urban areas show the most dramatic seasonal variation. Open ocean beaches with strong wave action maintain better water quality year-round. Check individual beach pages for location-specific seasonal data.
Hawaii has approximately 88,000 cesspools — more than any other U.S. state. These underground chambers collect untreated household sewage and allow it to leach into the surrounding soil and groundwater. In coastal areas, this contaminated groundwater eventually reaches the ocean through submarine groundwater discharge, contributing to elevated bacteria levels at nearby beaches.
Hawaii Act 125 (2017) requires all cesspools to be upgraded or converted to approved septic systems by 2050. Priority areas near the coast and drinking water sources are being addressed first, but progress has been slow. Beaches in known cesspool contamination zones carry elevated bacteria risk even during dry weather. For more information, see our comprehensive cesspool guide.
⚠️ Important Disclaimer
Safe to Swim Hawaii is an independent passion project, not affiliated with the Hawaii DOH. Ratings are estimates, not real-time measurements.
Always verify with the Hawaii DOH Clean Water Branch.
This site does not recommend or advise anyone to swim at any beach. We share government 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. 🤙