Waikiki beach reopens after sewage spill

Hawaii officials are reopening the Waikiki beach after water quality tests showed bacteria levels have declined since a large sewage spill earlier this week.

Hawaii state Department of Health deputy director Keith Kawaoka said Wednesday levels have come down dramatically.

He says the department is authorizing Honolulu to remove warning signs from Waikiki and Ala Moana beaches.

Heavy rain associated with Tropical Storm Kilo caused manhole covers in Honolulu to overflow with sewage and the Honolulu Zoo to flood on Monday.

This prompted officials to close a 4-mile stretch of waterfront.

The closed areas included Waikiki, home to some of Hawaii's biggest hotels and the center of Hawaii's tourism-driven economy. Many tourists had to give up plans to swim in the ocean at the world-famous beach.

The Associated Press