The website of the state Department of Health’s Clean Water Branch (CWB) says that the CWB “protects the the public health of residents and tourists who enjoy playing in and around Hawaii’s coastal and inland water resources.”

It further states: “Usually coastal waters are safe due to tidal flushing after 48 hours.”

So we would expect the CWB to issue brown-water advisories as soon as possible following a brown-water event.

There was intense rainfall on the windward coast on Friday night, Oct. 19. By sunrise the following morning, very brown water extended across the entire length of Kailua Bay. No brown water advisories were issued the entire weekend.

Many unsuspecting residents and tourists entered the waters of Kailua Bay over the weekend.

I received an email from the CWB on Monday, Oct. 22, stating that a brown-water advisory was in effect for Kailua Bay.

Does anyone care about this dereliction of duty?

Leonard Lepine

Kailua

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