State warns 3 isles about dirty water

State officials are continuing to warn the public about unhealthful brown water — a remnant of recent storms — lingering in beach areas on Oahu, Kauai and Maui.

The state Department of Health said yesterday that brown water advisories remain active for all of Oahu and Kauai. An advisory also is still in effect for parts of Maui, from Kealia Pond to Kalama Park, and from Waiehu Beach Park to Paukukalo.

A brown water warning remains for Kauai at Kikiaola Harbor.

Brown water results from flood waters and storm water runoff, which can contain contaminants from overflowing cesspools and sewer manholes, draining into beach areas.

It also can carry pesticides, animal fecal matter, dead animals, chemicals, flood debris and waterborne diseases.

Army Guard soldiers returning home

More than 120 soldiers from the Hawaii Army National Guard’s 230th Engineer Company will return home in the next few days after serving in eastern Afghanistan. Their arrival had been originally announced for this morning, but was delayed.

The citizen soldiers have been on active duty for the past year.

The 230th spent several months training at Schofield Barracks before deploying to Regional Command East.

The Guard members were responsible for numerous building projects that included huts, outposts, morale and welfare facilities, latrines, aid stations and battle positions, officials said.