Ocean-YUCK!

[Menehune]

The ocean off of HPP at the bottom of Makuu has taken on a shade of BROWN that is reminiscent of the Pacific off of Sonoma County, CA.!

It has happened in just the last few hours and has spread along the coast towards Hilo.

We have no creeks, streams or runoff culverts - it just appeared in the middle of the ocean about 200 yards off shore?

It appears to have one defined edge - no sheen (like oil) - the normal white ocean foam is now beige yuck - gone are the turquoise waves, green is their color and it continues to enlarge.

Can anyone explain this phenomenon?

Time will tell - I'm listening?
Time will tell - I'm speaking?

[Royall]

Just rain run off. Happens all the time when there is a big rain

Royall

What goes around comes around!

[Menehune]

If it is "rain run off" - Why did it appear HOURS after the rain and 200 YARDS from shore? NO creeks, streams or culverts?

[Rob Tucker]

It might have run off though a lava tube and exited a couple hundred yards offshore.

[JWFITZ]

Rob's right.

When you dive that stuff the shore line is completely lousy with freshwater vents. You'll know when you swim into one because you'll freeze your--um, skin pores off.

[Menehune]

Mahalo - makes perfect sense - I have felt those cold spots!

[JWFITZ]

Of course, the flip side is that obviously no one's septic tank really works--so stay out of the water after the rain, right?

[JerryCarr]

We drove up the Hamakua Coast today and there were people surfing at several locations with very brown, nasty looking water. This would include in Hilo Bay in front of the downtown shops. I seem to recall that doing so not only risks infection, but also shark attacks. Oh well, to each his or her own.

Cheers,
Jerry