01-27-2007, 10:32 AM
I first heard about pathogen issues at the various warm ponds from the microbiologist who tests our catchment water. He mentioned that the State and/or County wants to post signs warning people of bacteria danger. He thought it was unwarrranted and said that he even tested some of the water (probably Champagne Ponds and Alahanui) and they were fine, no different than what one might expect in those situations, meaning, he found nothing alarming.
Later, a friend went off, unencouraged, about how bad the warm ponds are. She cited about 3 annectodal instances, including her own, where she knew of people who got really sick after swimming there. She had no proof of a connection, only the timing of the visit with an illness.
On Tuesday, I went there with some friends and we snorkeled for a little over an hour. My friend's daughter is pregnant and also went snorkeling. Thursday, I spent in bed, feeling very feverish and weak. By the evening I felt much better and by Friday morning I was back to normal. My friend's daughter was the only person among the other four swimmers who felt a bit of stomach queasiness. You have to factor in that on Wednesday night they went to a luau on the Kona side and that she is pregnant. She didn't have my symptoms, and I don't even know what I might have had or where it came from.
While snorkeling in the deliciously warm water, I did wonder how much stuff could grow in that warmth.
I'm not making any claims about the ponds. I just don't know.
Edited by - Les C on 01/27/2007 14:33:44
Later, a friend went off, unencouraged, about how bad the warm ponds are. She cited about 3 annectodal instances, including her own, where she knew of people who got really sick after swimming there. She had no proof of a connection, only the timing of the visit with an illness.
On Tuesday, I went there with some friends and we snorkeled for a little over an hour. My friend's daughter is pregnant and also went snorkeling. Thursday, I spent in bed, feeling very feverish and weak. By the evening I felt much better and by Friday morning I was back to normal. My friend's daughter was the only person among the other four swimmers who felt a bit of stomach queasiness. You have to factor in that on Wednesday night they went to a luau on the Kona side and that she is pregnant. She didn't have my symptoms, and I don't even know what I might have had or where it came from.
While snorkeling in the deliciously warm water, I did wonder how much stuff could grow in that warmth.
I'm not making any claims about the ponds. I just don't know.
Edited by - Les C on 01/27/2007 14:33:44