Hawaii Environmental Hazards

Heat Exhaustion And Dehydration. Heat exhaustion leads to nausea, excessive thirst, headaches, and dizziness. Avoid this condition by drinking plenty of fluids, eating salty foods (e.g., crackers), abstaining from dehydrating beverages (e.g., alcohol and caffeinated drinks), and wearing sunscreen. Continuous heat stress can eventually lead to heatstroke, characterized by a rising temperature, severe headache, delirium, and the cessation of sweating. Victims should be cooled with wet towels and taken to a doctor.

Sunburn. The sunshine of paradise comes at a price if you’re not careful. It is extremely easy to get sunburnt in Hawaii, even on a cloudy day. Be sure to apply sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher before you go out for the day and after swimming. If you are spending many consecutive hours in the sun, you should reapply sunscreen often—the trouble you take will be well worth avoiding the pain and discomfort of a persistent sunburn. A higher SPF is advisable at the start of your trip until you develop a tan. If you do get sunburnt, drink more fluids than usual and apply aloe. Severe sunburns can lead to sun poisoning, a condition that affects the entire body, causing fever, chills, nausea, and vomiting. Sun poisoning should always be treated by a doctor.

High Altitude. Allow your body a few days to adjust to lower oxygen levels before exerting yourself. At high elevations, alcohol is more potent and UV rays are stronger. Pregnant women, young children, and people with respiratory and heart conditions should consult a doctor before traveling to high altitudes.

Hypothermia. Though it seems unlikely, hypothermia can occur in Hawaii if you’re unprotected from rain or if you spend too much time in the water. A rapid drop in body temperature is the clearest sign of overexposure to cold. Victims may also shiver, have poor coordination or slurred speech, hallucinate, or suffer amnesia. Do not let victims fall asleep. To avoid hypothermia, keep dry, wear layers, and stay out of the wind.

Surfing And Swimming Precautions. Hawaiian waves make for some of the world’s best surf, but they can also be deadly. High surf brings strong currents and riptides, and each year lives are lost when surfers and swimmers fail to heed precautions. More people drown in Hawaii each year than anywhere else in the country. Know your limits and use caution whenever you get into the water. The following are a few simple precautions:
Never swim alone.
Swim and surf only in lifeguarded areas.
Do not struggle against a riptide; swim parallel to the beach across it.
Use a leash for surf and bodyboards.
Familiarize yourself with beach and surf conditions before you head out.

Many diseases in Hawaii are transmitted by insects, mainly mosquitoes, fleas, and ticks. Beware of insects in wet or forested areas, especially while hiking and camping. Wear long pants and long sleeves, and use a mosquito net. Use insect repellents with DEET and soak or spray your gear with permethrin (licensed in the US for use only on clothing). Mosquitoes are particularly prevalent in wet, wooded areas, such as those in east Maui, Kauai, and the Big Island.

Dengue Fever. An acute viral disease transmitted by day-biting mosquitoes, dengue fever has symptoms that include a high fever, severe headaches, swollen lymph nodes, and muscle aches. Many patients also suffer nausea, vomiting, and a pink rash. If you experience these symptoms, see a doctor immediately, drink plenty of liquids, and take acetaminophen (Tylenol®). Never take aspirin to treat dengue fever. An outbreak of dengue fever occurred in 2001 with 119 confirmed cases, predominantly on Maui. The last locally transmitted case in Hawaii was in February 2002. Always use insect repellent when outside.

Food- And Water-Borne Diseases

Travelers in Hawaii experience food- and water-related illness much less often than in most parts of the world, thanks to good water-treatment facilities and fairly well-maintained restaurant standards. Just watch out for food from markets or street vendors that may have been cooked in unhygienic conditions. Other culprits are raw shellfish, unpasteurized milk, and sauces containing raw eggs. The tap water in Hawaii is treated to be safe for drinking. However, a few campsites do require water treatment. Purify your water by bringing it to a rolling boil or treating it with iodine tablets. Note, that some parasites have exteriors that resist iodine treatment, so boiling is more reliable. Exercise caution around natural bodies of water, which can harbor dangerous bacteria.

Giardiasis. Transmitted through parasites and acquired by drinking untreated water from streams or lakes. Symptoms include diarrhea, cramps, bloating, fatigue, weight loss, and nausea. Giardiasis occurs worldwide.

Leptospirosis. This bacterial disease is caused by exposure to freshwater contaminated by the urine of infected animals. Leptospirosis enters the body through skin cuts or the mouth, nose, or eyes. Known exposure sites and all state and county parks that have freshwater streams or ponds are regularly posted with leptospirosis warning signs; never swim in freshwater if you have cuts. Symptoms include high fever, chills, nausea, and vomiting. If not treated, it can lead to liver failure and meningitis. Consult a doctor for treatment.

Traveler’S Diarrhea. Results from drinking fecally contaminated water or eating contaminated foods. Symptoms include nausea, bloating, and urgency. Try quick-energy, non-sugary foods with protein and carbohydrates. Over-the-counter anti-diarrheals (e.g., Imodium®) may counteract the problem. The most dangerous side effect is dehydration; drink 8 oz. of water with ½ tsp. of sugar or honey and a pinch of salt or eat salted crackers. If you develop a fever or your symptoms don’t go away after 4-5 days, consult a doctor.