WAILUA — The mass of debris groaned and crunched as wave action gave it life Friday at the Lydgate Park protected pool. “We were here just yesterday, and was swimming in here,” a couple from New Jersey said. “We went
WAILUA — The mass of debris groaned and crunched as wave action gave it life Friday at the Lydgate Park protected pool.
“We were here just yesterday, and was swimming in here,” a couple from New Jersey said.
“We went to get snorkeling equipment from WalMart last night, and this morning when we got here, this is what we saw. We were here even before the (warning) signs went up.”
The couple, who are leaving Kaua’i today, Saturday, Sept. 17, were anxious about using some of the equipment they had purchased, but resigned themselves to the fact that the twoday, unsettled weather had deprived them of any more beach time, at least at Lydgate.
Mary Daubert, county public information officer, said that, following assessment of the situation, she estimated that it would take about a week to clean up.
However, despite the settling of the surf, she said that, after consulting with Kaleo Ho’okano of the Kaua’i Fire Department Ocean Safety Bureau, swimmers should be cautious not only of the debris, but also about the health impacts of swimming in the cloudy, dirty water.
Daubert said debris washed down the Wailua River from the heavy Wednesdaynight rains, and collected at the river mouth.
But, before cleanup crews could act on it, the mass purged itself from the river mouth, out into Wailua Bay and, eventually, accumulating in the Lydgate Park pools.
On Friday afternoon, watersafety officials had posted “No Swimming,” “No Fishing,” and “Beach Closed” signs, to warn beachgoers of the potential danger in trying to swim in the clogged waters.
Debris also lined the south foot path, where warning signs were also posted. That appeared to keep beachgoers at a safe distance, although one local resident is not happy with the situation.
The resident, who swims daily at Lydgate Park, said the county should clear the debris immediately, because “tourists need a place to go, and there are a lot of tourists who come to Lydgate.”
Daubert said county leaders are aware of the situation, and she will issue an advisory once the beach has been cleared and the water quality is deemed safe for swimming.
