Waikiki beaches closed

Waikiki beaches closed after 500,000 gallon sewage spill

The Associated Press
Published Tuesday, August 25, 2015 1:55AM EDT
Last Updated Tuesday, August 25, 2015 8:43AM EDT

HONOLULU - Heavy rains triggered a half-million gallon sewage spill near Hawaii's world-famous tourist district, prompting city officials Monday to close most of the beach fronting Waikiki.

Storm water flowed into the city's sewage system as a weather system linked to Tropical Storm Kilo dumped heavy rain on the islands.

The inundation overwhelmed the sewage system, causing 500,000 gallons of wastewater to spew from manholes, said Lori Kahikina, Honolulu's director of environmental services.

“Now's not the time to go swimming,” she told reporters. It could be a couple of days before the ocean is clear enough for people to enter, Kahikina estimated. She said it would likely take that long for water samples to be tested for safety.

Waikiki beaches closed after 500,000 gallon sewage spill

Manoa Falls Trail

The Manoa Falls trail is directly behind Waikiki Beach and the University of Hawaii Manoa. The Arboretum is right at the entrance to the Trail Head but was not open the weekend I was there (possibly a Sunday). Parking at the Pay Lot is $5 but includes "bug spray". You can park about 6-8 blocks back in residential - and walk. Hiking in valleys you'll find bugs - hiking ridges you won't. The difference is the amount of wind/breeze. This hike can be very wet and slippery with steep slopes. Be very careful with kids - and when it rains


Entrance sign to the trail


Manoa falls


Bridge on the trail


Upper part of the trail

Manoa Falls is a spectacular site as it tumbles down a near vertical cliff for approximately 150-feet into a small pool. The hike to the falls is classified as "easy" and travels through a bamboo forest, rainforest, and base of the Ko'oaus Mountains. The trail is approximately a 1 ½ mile hike, but DO NOT swim or drink the water. The small pool at the bottom of the falls is filled with boulders and the bottom of the pool can not be visualized making it unsafe for swimming or diving. Swimming violators may be cited.

Collection of Manoa Falls Fotos
Harold H. Lyon Arboretum

Waikiki - what else

Waikiki beach is the most famous of all the Hawaii beaches. It is almost perfect in every way - long days of endless sun, fine golden sand, excellent surfing and body surfing, a long stretch of shallow sandy bottom lagoon ideal for swimmers, both inexperienced and experienced, protected areas with no waves and exposed areas with frolicking waves, lots of water activities from catamaran cruises, hobby cat sailing, paddle boats and snorkelling trips and most of all, lots of people, lots of high rise hotels with fantastic views, lots of restaurants and good nightlife.

Waikiki Beach is located on the sheltered south coast of Oahu a few miles to the east of downtown Honolulu. Waikiki stretches for almost four miles in an almost unbroken stretch of soft white sand and has over a hundred high rise hotels to choose from and lots of smaller inns and units for rent but only a few of these are absolute beachfront.


Waikiki from the air


Waikiki from the 'Pier'


Kapi'olani Park Beach


Waikiki Surf


International Market
Hawaii's royal family enjoyed private estate living in Waikiki for more than 500 years before the arrival of outsiders in 1792. Prior to the building of the Ala Wai Canal, rain-fed streams from the Ko'olau Range filled fishponds and pools in Waikiki, a wetland area of taro, sweet potato and banana farms whose ocean-side farmers supplied the community with a diet rich in shellfish. With the arrival of whaling ships and foreign visitors, royal estates were replaced with luxury hotels and Waikiki's way of life was changed forever. During your first days on O'ahu, journey through Waikiki's story - from past to present - and take a stroll along its white sand beach as you reflect on the island's rich past and modern-day abundance.


Collection of Waikiki Fotos
Waikiki Historical Trail