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Five Years of Water Quality Monitoring in the Ala Wai Canal

We’re proud to share the results of five years of scientific monitoring through the Genki Ala Wai Project, recently presented at the Pediatric Academic Societies (PAS) 2025 Meeting in Honolulu. This milestone highlights the measurable impact of our community’s work and the role of bioremediation using Genki Balls and Effective Microorganisms® (EM®). As of February 2025, we have collaboratively deployed over 220,000+ Genki Balls through the Ala Wai and poured 1,560 gallons of Activated EM® between the Ala Wai and Jefferson test sites.

Since 2019, we’ve beenconducting water quality testing, increasing to three times per year, at four Ala Wai Canal locations: Jefferson Elementary, Ala Wai Elementary, the Ritz-Carlton area, and the Convention Center. Our focus has been on the key indicators: sludge depth, Enterococci bacteria, and turbidity (water clarity), before and after Genki Ball deployments. Some of the results show encouraging trends, while also reflecting the natural variability of an open urban waterway.

Sludge Reduction
One of the clearest improvements has been in sludge depth, especially at Jefferson Elementary and Ala Wai Elementary. Over time, we’ve observed steady reductions in organic sludge at the canal bottom following the most recent dredging event in 2019-2020 [verify date]. This microbial activity, stimulated by Genki Balls, is breaking down and digesting the sludge. Notably, reductions persisted, suggesting that EM treatment may help slow the return of sludge in previously cleared areas.

Bacteria Levels
Enterococci, a key indicator of sewage-related contamination, also declined significantly at sites such as Jefferson Elementary and the Convention Center. While bacteria levels naturally spike with rainfall, tides, or upstream discharge, the long-term trend points toward improvement. These fluctuations highlight the importance of consistent monitoring to track patterns over time. However, one of the most encouraging markers comes from the Surfrider Foundation’s Blue Water Task Force site near the canal’s mouth. In 2019, only 20% of samples met state standards for Enterococci. By late 2024, that number rose to 79% (measured over the 12 months from January to December 2024). This reflects the combined impact of community action, EM treatment, and greater awareness of pollution sources.

Turbidity Improvements
Turbidity readings, which measure water clarity, showed a downward trend at the Convention Center, downstream of four Genki Ball deployment locations,. Clearer water indicates fewer suspended particles and better conditions for aquatic life. Like bacteria, turbidity varies with environmental conditions, but the trajectory at the downstream end is positive.

Together, downstream results confirm what many of us have seen firsthand: cleaner water, healthier conditions, and stronger community stewardship. At the same time, we know that water quality is influenced by factors beyond our control, including severe weather upstream, and we, the community, must address the sources of pollution upstream for long-term change. That is why we remain committed to consistent monitoring and open to collaboration with partners to both celebrate progress and confront ongoing systemic challenges.

As we look to the future, we will continue refining our methods, increasing transparency around the data, and expanding our efforts into other waterways across Hawaiʻi. None of this would be possible without you, our students, teachers, volunteers, donors, and community scientists.