Warm Water Pools

[Cindy Blankenship]

Aloha,

I haven't posted in months (was just very discouraged about not getting there) and now my son and I and three cats are finally able to make the move. We fly out of LAX Feb. 20:-) And will be moving into a furnished home I rented years ago. Anyway,
I was trying to remember where a warm water pool is that I used to visit. My son would love it. I think it was across the road from Pohiki, and a few yards into the jungle.
Also, do you know if there are more like this, that are fed from underground springs?
I'm thinking that those kind would have less
danger of leptospirosis since the lava filters these springs for eons. Or maybe not?

Thanks!




Cindy
http://www.CoconutRoads.com

[Carey]

Cindy, the county has Ahalanui Baths park with the large warm pool just a bit north of Pohiki Rd. Kapoho Pt. has quite a few warm ponds, most on private property, but Champagne Pond is visited by many (you have to walk to it, no public access)
There are some questions on the bacteria growth in these pools, but I have never seen any data either way...
Aloha, Carey

[Cindy Blankenship]

Mahalo Carey. We used to go to Ahalanui when he was a baby,and the temp there is pretty closed to the pool he will miss here - 90 F. He uses this for relaxation (migraine). I've never been to Champagne Pond. Just did some searches, and
it seems to be more on the cool side but very
beautiful and crystal clear. This little one I found (I think across from Pohiki) was quite warm and just big enough for around
three people. Once in a while it would be taken, but usually not. Maybe not many knew about it. There are probably more like it somewhere. I'd told my son about the Ahalanui, and the first thing he asked me was
about bacteria lol. I told him with the waves crashing in and the constant flow from the springs not to worry.So there are bacteria issues then? Bummer. I have a friend who
takes her little one there...I should tell her about that.

Aloha


Cindy
http://www.CoconutRoads.com

[Cindy Blankenship]

PS I just looked at a bunch of photos of
Ahalanui aka Hot Pond, and the looks clean, so I think as long as wer're not going in with
open cuts and not drinking the water, we'll be
fine. I hope it's as clean as I remember it there. This would be a wonderful place to unwind, especially on weekdays, evenings I'm
guessing, and the articles I just read say it's only like 20 min from Pahoa. I was there
13 or 14 years ago!

Thanks again Carey,
Cindy

Cindy
http://www.CoconutRoads.com

[Jody]

Cindy,

I have taken both of my boys (ages 3 & 6) to Ahalanui since they were a couple of months old and we have never had a problem. One of my boys has a weak immune system and still no problems. I think the whole bacteria thing is blown way out of proportion. Bacteria is everywhere.

As for Champagne Pond, the water is very comfortable and you can drive there if you have a 4WD. It's a popular hangout and is often crowded on weekends.

Aloha,
Jody

[Les C]

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

[adias]

We had a similar experience to Les. My daughter got sick after swimming in the Champagne Ponds and we had to take her to the medical clinic in Hilo. She had an infection and the doctor stated that the pond is like bacteria soup.

The pond is indeed clean and as others have stated bacteria is everywhere. People have different levels of susceptibility. Neither my wife nor I get sick after swimming there.

Since the pond is hot, it makes sense that lots microorganisms are growing there. If your body is not used to those little guys, it might have an affect.

[wyatt]

Aloha Cindy,
Please read at this link.

http://starbulletin.com/2002/12/12/news/story7.html

Maholo
Wyatt

[Kelena]

I think most people are not susceptible. I did get sick while I was in Puna the first time, but at the time I thought it was food poisoning.

Still, I would not go in with an open wound. And I would not go in at 2:00 a.m. when the eels think they have the place to themselves. I also would not go in if there is a child under 5 in the pond. I stopped at Ahalanui, and was really looking forward to going in. I put my toesy in the water and at the moment spotted a woman with a baby in a diaper. She was lifting the baby up and down, up and down, like a tea bag in the water.

Mamas, please don't let your babies be pond polluters.

[punagirl]

I have been to Ahalanui exactally twice in 10 years and many visits. Both times I was a little creeped out thinking that it was a pool full of baby crap and waht ever else. Some of this comes from living in Atlanta and remembering the big problem at White Water Amusement Park. Poopy diaper caused a few deaths. I found that odd as White Water was sooo chlorinated you could ruin a swim suit in one visit. I don't get in hot tubs because they have always seemed like a disease soup.

Read the link posted by Wyatt. I had read something and heard legends a couple of years before and thats why I stopped going there. With that said, I am a bit of a nut and do go to Champagne Pond and rent a house every year in Kapoho Beach Lots with a private warm pond.

I don't go over to Champagne Pond when it has been a busy week end with lots of kids and people throwing trash in (nothing sucks worse that snorkeling with a turtle only to look up and see a ziplock bag & white plastic fork!).

I feel pretty comfortable with the private pond at the rental house. The fish seem pretty healthy and it isn't kid friendly so not a lot of poop going in there.

Glen, eeels don't prefer night over day. That is sharks. I have seem plenty of eels in Champagne Pond and Kapoho Tide Pools. They will not both you if you do not both them They are fascinating to watch.

Atlanta/Pahoa