Update 11.17.2022. Water visibility is still murky. Floating debris is mostly dissipated. The sediment of small and large branches, other organic material and goat pellets are still visible at hightide lines. Heavier branches and organic materials settled on the bottom along the shore soon after the runoffs are still there. We do not know what government agencies are responsible for the beach cleanup. This should occur soon after the runoffs. The beach here is public. Water quality safety must get a higher priority.
This map and photographs indicate the condition observed today October 6, 2022, at Kawaihae Harbor. There was even more sediment from the previous day October 5, 2022. The area shown only indicated what was seen visually from the coral flats. The extent of the runoffs outward of the harbor and northward is not known. Visually, directly west of the break wall ocean side was unaffected, only a slight collection of sediment is visible along the outside. When we arrived shortly after 8 am, there was wet mud at the entrance to the coral flats and the small boat harbor south. The thick floating debris covered the beach and can be seen on the high watermark along the break wall. These two consecutive sediment runoffs are the largest this year. Last month, we have had a few heavy rain showers at lower elevations with light sediment deposits.
The mud and debris appear to be washed down from Palihae Gulch since Pelekani Bay was not affected.
We will have to look in on the reef to see how it is affected by these runoff events.