Pond Water in Hawaiian Nature Reserve Changes Color to Pink—Is It Good or Bad?

In a bizarre phenomenon, a pond in Hawaii has become a bright shade of bubblegum pink. Researchers suspect drought contributed to the unusual color; thus, they advise against swimming or drinking the water.

Possible Answer to Mystery

Since October 30, workers at Maui's Kealia Pond National Wildlife Refuge have been monitoring the rosy hue of the pond's water. Bret Wolfe, the refuge manager, stated: "I just got a report from somebody that was walking on the beach, and they called me up like, 'There's something weird going on over here."

According to CBS News, Wolfe was worried that the shocking pink hue was evidence of a harmful algae bloom, but lab testing ruled out that possibility. Instead, a kind of bacterium known as halobacteria might be to blame.

A kind of bacteria called halobacteria can only be found in very salty water environments. The salinity of water at the Kealia Pond outlet is now more than 70 parts per thousand, making it twice as salty as the ocean. According to Wolfe, the lab has to do a DNA study in order to positively identify the organism in question.

The drought in Maui is probably making things worse. Wolfe noted that the water levels in Kealia Pond had not been replenished by Waikapu Stream for quite some time.

The stream flows into Kealia's main pond when it rains and subsequently into the now pink outflow area. The salinity of the water will drop, and the hue of the water may shift as a result.

Volunteers who have worked at the refuge for 70 years report never having seen the water this shade. Wolfe is baffled by the pond's new color since it has survived drought and excessive salinity in the past.

Witnessing the Pink Pond

The wetland wildlife refuge is home to the endangered Hawaiian stilt (aeo) and the Hawaiian coot (alae keokeo), both of which use it for breeding, feeding, and resting. Additionally, it serves as a winter home for migrating species.

Wolfe said that the birds were unaffected by the water.

After pictures and videos of a peculiar pink pond began circulating online, many curious sightseers made their way to the park.

"We prefer that they come to hear about our mission of conserving native and endangered waterbirds and our wetland restorations. But no, they're here to see the pink water," Wolfe jokingly said. Everyone is fascinated by the pink pond, and he gets it. "If that's what gets them there, it's OK," he added.

A visitor, Travis Morrin, told Hawaii News Now that he had heard the news regarding the pond's color from his friends.

When his pals informed him that the water at Sugar Beach by the ponds were pink, he did not believe it. He continued, "Sure enough toward sunset the lighting was good. I just happened to drive by and I was like, it's like Pepto Bismol pink."