HONOLULU (KHON2) — On Monday, July 21, the City and County of Honolulu has issued a warning for box jellyfish. The creatures were spotted in the waters at Waikīkī beaches. The alert was sent out at 11:54 a.m. and beachgoers are advised to be very careful and to follow all posted signs.
Box jellyfish are sea creatures that have long, stinging tentacles. Their sting can be very painful and even dangerous.
These jellyfish often appear in Hawaiʻi’s waters about eight to 10 days after a full moon. They are clear and hard to see in the water, which makes them even more risky.
City and county officials said that lifeguards and officials have posted warning signs at Waikīkī and other beaches where jellyfish may be present.
If you see one of these signs, do not go swimming. It is safest to stay out of the water until the warning is removed.
If you get stung by a box jellyfish, tell someone right away. You’ll need to rinse the area with vinegar and get help from a lifeguard or call 911 if needed.
Remember not to rub the sting’ it can make the pain much worse.
To stay safe, check for updates before going to the beach. You can find alerts online, on social media or by looking for signs at the beach.
Please be careful and take this warning seriously. The box jellyfish usually move on after a few days; so it’s best to wait until it’s safe to swim again.
You can click here to read more about the warning.
Stay safe and enjoy Hawaiʻi’s beaches when the water is clear!