Anini Beach Park is getting an unwelcome visitor this weekend, and it is not the laid-back kind of local. Kauai County's Ocean Safety Bureau says Portuguese man o' war have been spotted in the water off the popular North Shore beach and is warning everyone to stay out of the ocean for now.
Officials have posted signs along the shoreline and lifeguards are urging visitors to take the warnings seriously while crews keep an eye on conditions. The county plans to reassess the situation on Monday morning.
County Issues No-Swim Advisory
According to the County of Kauai, the Ocean Safety Bureau issued the no-swim advisory on Saturday after sightings of Portuguese man o' war off Anini Beach Park. The public is being urged to follow posted warnings and stay out of the water while the advisory is in effect.
The county also shared the notice on its Facebook page and listed the Ocean Safety phone number as (808) 241-4984 for the latest updates.
What A Portuguese Man O' War Is
Portuguese man o' war are siphonophores, which are colonies of organisms that float at the surface and use long, venomous tentacles to capture prey. They can still sting people even after they wash ashore. NOAA notes that these animals are carried by wind and currents and can sometimes arrive in clusters, which increases the risk for swimmers and people walking along the beach.
If You Are Stung
Medical reviews and marine experts recommend carefully removing any visible tentacles using tools instead of bare hands, not rubbing the affected area, and applying heat to help reduce pain. Severe or widespread stings should be treated as a medical emergency.
A clinical review found that hot-water immersion along with cautious tentacle removal can ease pain after Physalia envenomation, according to PubMed Central.
Where To Get Updates
County officials say they will reevaluate the conditions off Anini Beach Park on Monday morning. Anyone planning a visit should check in with a Kauai County lifeguard, call the Ocean Safety Bureau at (808) 241-4984, or review island beach reports on SafeBeachDay before heading into the water.
Local media have also reported on the advisory, including Hawaii News Now.
