Pink pond perplexes public | News, Sports, Jobs

The Maui News / MATTHEW THAYER photos

FIRST PHOTO: Shad Hanohano (from left), Leilani Fagner and their daughter Meleana Hanohano view the pink water at the Kealia Pond National Wildlife Refuge from the sanctuary’s boardwalk Wednesday afternoon. Refuge Manager Bret Wolfe said that the pond has been that color since Oct. 30. “It’s likely something attributed to the very high salinity of the water there,” Wolfe said Wednesday. “It’s 70 parts per 1,000, which is double seawater salinity. And that water has been stagnant because we haven’t had enough water to even flow into there.” Wolfe said samples have been sent to a University of Hawai’i lab, which has ruled out an algae bloom that has led to toxic red tides in other places. The lab is conducting DNA analysis to determine exactly what it is. “Preliminary analysis suggests it’s not toxic, that it is likely halobacteria, but we are still waiting on more information to come from the lab,” Wolfe said. He acknowledged that “drought is partly what’s causing this,” with the lack of water leading to the high salinity and the stagnation. Staff, volunteers and others in the area say “they’ve never seen this,” Wolfe added.

SECOND PHOTO: Hilo’s Severino Urubio snaps photos of Kealia Pond’s pick water from North Kihei Road Wednesday.

The Maui News / MATTHEW THAYER photos

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7rq3UoqWer6NjsLC5jqecsKtfobykrctmpZ6vo2R%2FcX6SaGhqZ6Ceu6x5z6ilnWWgmr%2BxuMSxnKxloKqvrbXCaA%3D%3D