Maui’s normally turquoise north shore is getting a hard pass from health officials this week. A brown water advisory went up Tuesday for the stretch from Waiheʻe to Hoʻokipa, with beachgoers urged to stay out of surf that looks brown or murky, especially after recent storms and heavy rain. The alert covers north-facing beaches where runoff can quickly carry sediment and other pollutants straight into the lineup.
A #BrownWaterAdvisory has been issued at North shore (Waiheʻe to Hoʻokipa) on Maui. The DOH advises beach users to stay out of waters when the water appears brown or murky, especially following storms or heavy rain. For more information: https://t.co/mG0y5LkxDp
— Hawaiʻi State Department of Health (@HawaiiDOH) Feb 24, 2026
Where the advisory applies
According to the Hawaiʻi State Department of Health Clean Water Branch, the advisory covers the north shore from Waiheʻe to Hoʻokipa and is posted in the agency’s beach-monitoring system. Warning signs may go up at affected spots while crews continue visual checks and follow-up testing.
How long to wait and health risks
Health officials recommend waiting 48–72 hours after heavy rain before heading back into the ocean, since runoff can carry bacteria and other pollutants that are not visible from shore. As reported by Maui Now, the department also warns people to avoid swimming in, wading in or drinking water from freshwater streams and ponds because of the risk of leptospirosis and other infections.
Storms and runoff
In the days leading up to the advisory, forecasters were calling for heavy showers and localized flood watches, the kind of setup that sends land-based runoff racing toward nearshore waters. The National Weather Service had the islands under watch for intense showers and possible flash flooding, a pattern that often comes right before brown water advisories as soil, sewage and debris get flushed into the ocean.
Recurring contamination on Maui beaches
This is not an isolated blip. Advisories and high-bacteria readings have popped up at multiple Maui beaches this month, underscoring a recurring issue at some shoreline sites. Elevated enterococci counts at West Maui beaches, documented by local monitoring and reporting, have been noted at locations such as Hanakāʻōʻ, per Maui Now, and can keep warnings in place until follow-up samples drop below state thresholds.
What to do if you went in
If you already swam or played in brown or murky water, rinse off thoroughly with fresh water and keep an eye out for symptoms such as fever, vomiting, diarrhea or skin infections. Seek medical care if anything persists or worsens. The Hawaiʻi State Department of Health Clean Water Branch also advises staying away from freshwater streams and ponds to cut the risk of leptospirosis, and checking official advisories before jumping back into the ocean.
Before planning ocean activities, look for posted signs at beach parks and use the state’s advisory tool for the latest updates. It might be a good time to line up a shore-based backup plan until the water clears and health officials lift the advisory.
