UH research
discovers algae
source off Maui

Nitrogen-rich fresh water from land
appears to be the cause

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By Gary T. Kubota
gkubota@starbulletin.com

KAANAPALI, Maui >> A University of Hawaii research project has linked a high concentration of ocean algae growth in West Maui to fresh water current from the land.

Researcher Jennifer Smith said scientists have found the upwelling or an upward flow of water from an ocean depth of 30 to 50 feet off Kahekili Park.

Smith said the fresh water has a high concentration of nitrogen which could come from a variety of sources, including septic tanks, sewage, or agricultural fertilizers.

She said further study is needed to determine the source of the nitrogen in the water and scientists are hoping to receive a $1.2 million grant from the Environmental Protection Agency that would help toward finding the cause of algae blooms in West Maui waters.

Scientists expect to know in three to six months if they get the grant.

While state aquatics officials have received no complaints about algae in West Maui since late last summer, residents fear its eventual return will hurt visitor businesses again and have a long-term adverse impact on the reefs and ocean life.

Some businesses along the six-mile coastline from Kaanapali to Kapalua estimated they lost from 5 percent to 10 percent in gross revenues during the algae bloom, because they refunded money or visitors left early.

Celia Smith, a University of Hawaii botany professor, said the grant would help to pay for a number of studies, including research into what causes the algae to grow at a rapid rate and the location of upwelling in the ocean from sewage injection wells.

About 3.5 million gallons of chlorinated sewage is injected daily into four wells at the Kaanapali sewage treatment plant. In addition, about 1 million gallons a day, chlorinated and treated to kill bacteria, are re-used for irrigation in Kaanapali.

Gordon Tribble, water resources chief with the U.S. Geological Survey, said scientific equipment has improved since the last study and could help to determine the nature of the flow from the injection wells.

Tribble said his agency plans to develop monitoring wells near the injection wells at the sewage treatment plant and use a computer to simulate the flow of underground water.

Another study will look at the possibility that the effluent may be coming up below the sand, which would be difficult to detect.