HomeMy WebLinkAboutĀhalanui Park To Reopen October 4, 2013
Clayton S. Honma
William P. Kenoi
Director
Mayor
Robert A. Fitzgerald
Deputy Director
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
101 Pauahi Street, Suite 6 Hilo, Hawai‘i 96720
(808) 961-8311 Fax (808) 961-8411
NEWS RELEASE
October 3, 2013
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
‘Āhalanui Park will reopen Friday morning
The Hawai‘i County Department of Parks and Recreation will reopen ‘Āhalanui Park after
verifying that the park’s volcanically heated pond does not have unsafe levels of bacteria.
Swimmers will be welcomed back into the Puna park starting at 7 a.m. Friday, October 4.
The Hawai‘i Department of Health collected water samples from the hot pond and has
determined the bacteria levels to be normal for safe swimming areas. The Department of
Health has found no evidence to suggest that the pond water is contaminated.
After learning September 26 of media reports that the swimmer was hospitalized,
Department of Parks and Recreation Director Clayton Honma took immediate action to
close the park to ensure the public’s safety. The Department of Parks and Recreation
thanks swimmers, park users and the general public for their patience and understanding
while the temporary closure was in effect.
The Department of Health wishes to remind the public not to go swimming with an open
cut. Signs posted in ‘ĀhalanuiPark warn against this activity. Open wounds, according to
state health experts, should be kept clean, dry and covered to prevent infection, which
can come from anywhere, including from bacteria that lives naturally on the human body.
For more information, please contact Jason Armstrong, Public Information Officer, at 345-
9105, or jarmstrong@co.hawaii.hi.us.
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County of Hawai‘i is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.