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Public urged to stay out of Hanalei Bay and Kuhio Beach because of bacteria

The public is advised by the state health department to stay out of the waters at two popular tourist spots — Hanalei Bay Landing on Kauai and Kuhio Beach at Waikiki — due to higher than normal bacteria levels.

The levels at Hanalei Bay Landing on Kauai’s north shore, issued Thursday, are particularly high, with 1445 per 100 milliliters of enterococci detected by the clean water branch during routine beach monitoring. On Friday, the department’s clean water branch reported levels of enterococci at 560 per 100 milliliters during routine beach monitoring.

Swimming at beaches with pollution in the water may make people ill, according to the health department, with the most common illnesses being gastroenteritis as well as ear, eye, nose and throat infections.

Signs have been posted at both beaches, and the advisories will remain in effect until water sample results no longer exceed the threshold level of 130 enterococci per 100 milliliters.

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