Landslide prompts warning of brown water on Kauai

A warning to stay out of the Wailua River and a portion of Wailua Bay on Kauai was issued Wednesday because of brown water caused by a landslide in a remote area of Mount Waialeale.

State health spokeswoman Janice Okubo said she doesn’t know when the advisory will be lifted.

"If the water is discolored, don’t go in," she said.

Health officials said they’re worried about the potential for infection and diseases from possible dead animals, fecal matter, broken trees, debris, overflowing cesspools, herbicide and pesticides.

Kauai County spokeswoman Sarah Blane said she didn’t know the size of the landslide.

An employee who works near Wailua River said the worst brown water appeared Monday and Tuesday.

"Monday and Tuesday was very, very ugly … dark chocolate," the employee said.

The employee said she thought the presence of brown water was odd because it had not been preceded by storm rain.

The employee, who declined to identify herself, said Wednesday the weather was sunny and the river water was clearer than on Monday or Tuesday and that boat tours were taking place Wednesday to the Fern Grotto.

Blane said state health officials were investigating the brown water conditions when the landslide was discovered by a Kauai Fire rescue crew.

The rescue officials were in a helicopter Tuesday afternoon in response to a call about an injured female hiker when they flew past the landslide, she said.

The hiker, who had injuries that were not life-threatening, was taken by helicopter from the Napali State Park to the Waimea Canyon ball park, where medics were waiting for her, Blane said.