This footage was filmed and produced 9 November 2023.

On November 9th, at approximately 3:30 HST, an intriguing phenomenon unfolded at the Keālia Pond National Wildlife Refuge. Over the past nine days, refuge staff has closely monitored the pond's water, capturing photographs revealing an unexpected bright pink hue.

Preliminary analysis indicates that this striking color change may be attributed to halobacteria, a salt-loving single-celled organism thriving in high salinity water bodies. Currently, the Keālia Pond outlet boasts a salinity exceeding 70 parts per thousand, twice that of seawater, creating optimal conditions for the proliferation of halobacteria and the ensuing pink tint.

The US Fish and Wildlife Service dispatched water samples to the University of Hawaiʻi for in-depth analysis. Encouragingly, early assessments suggest that the phenomenon is not linked to toxic algae, such as those responsible for red tides.

Refuge staff, in collaboration with the Hawaiʻi State Department of Aquatic Resources and Department of Health, are diligently working to identify the cause and formulate an appropriate course of action. The vibrant pink waters of Keālia Pond remain an enigma, captivating both scientists and the local community.