Kawela Bay

Kawela Bay, Hawaii

Managed by Surfrider Foundation - O'ahu Chapter

Long sandy beach, generally calm although there are NO LIFEGUARDS and it is advised that only experienced swimmers enter the water here. There are no facilities at the bay. Public beach near many hotels on the North Shore of O?ahu.

"Ka wela" meaning, the heat, this beach is a great place to lay out and enjoy a beach day.

Sampled every other Sunday by Surfrider Foundation O?ahu Blue Water Task Force Volunteers.

Get directions to this beach

COVID-19

Keep your distance from other people.

Practicing social distancing is still essential. Only go to the beach if you are able to keep 6 feet or 2 meters away from others. Follow the instructions provided by your local health authorities. If your community has asked that you remain indoors and away from others, do so. Spending a day in any crowded place is the worst thing we can do for our most vulnerable right now and will counter our efforts to curb the virus’s spread.

Water Quality

No data available
Current Status
This status is based on the latest sample. Surfrider Foundation - O'ahu Chapter updates the status of this beach as soon as test results become available.

For water quality icon legend, click:

Report Pollution

Monitoring Frequency

Source Information

Marine water samples are collected and tested bi-weekly (every other Sunday) by dedicated Surfrider volunteer scientists all year long. Samples are tested for Enterococcus, a fecal indicator that reflects human waste and harmful pathogens in the water. Surfrider Foundation follows the Hawai?i Department of Health protocol for Enterococcus, labeling all samples over 130 MPN/100ml red, as a health hazard for the public. Samples testing 36-130 MPN/100ml have medium bacteria levels and are labeled orange. Samples testing under 36 MPN/100ml have low bacteria and are labeled green.

All water quality data past and present can be found on the Surfrider Foundation website under Blue Water Task Force (BWTF).
https://bwtf.surfrider.org/report/44

You can stay updated weekly by signing up for their newsletter here
https://oahu.surfrider.org/cleanwater/

In the event of heavy rainfall it is common to experience brown water events where runoff from upstream flows into the ocean. During these events there is chronic pollution and most areas near streams and river mouths will test red with extremely high bacteria. We advise that the general public once made aware of these brown water events avoid the water when possible because of health risk.

Water Quality Graph