28 thoughts on “Jellyfish Sting Visitors At Famed Maui Resort”
Carol L.
I have never, so far been stung by Jellyfish or Stingrays. And I haven’t been bitten by Sharks. I don’t go in the ocean anymore because I realize this is these creatures territory. I swim in the hotel pool. If I go on the ocean I go in a boat. That gives me a better chance. Not a 100% but better. I have seen lots of Jellyfish on the beach at Galveston, Texas. I don’t totally trust these preferred times when Jellyfish are less likely to strike because Jellyfish and the other creatures don’t have calendars and they don’t wear watches! I feel it’s safe to assume they are present in the ocean at all times. The hotel can post warnings but it’s good if the visitor does their homework before they leave home.
We visited Waimanalo and Kailua beaches during our 2 week stay in January and I do recall thinking it seemed like they (portuguese man of wars – tiny purple thumbnail size buggahs) were around for more than just 3 days as I have previously read about.
I agree, that visitors anywhere need to take it upon themselves to become aware of hazards and take appropriate action. Many tourists have no idea how to even swim and go into the ocean. Many believe it is just a fair ride and everything will be just fine. Everyone should take the time to learn the history of the water, land, and its people.
A little over a year ago we were on a sunset snorkel cruise along the Napali and while snorkeling near the cliffs several of us, including me, were stung by jellyfish, don’t know what kind. When the crew realized what was happening it was everybody out of the water. They had some vinegar, which I suppose helped some, but for the next hour or so it was uncomfortable. By the time we had returned to the dock it the discomfort had pretty much gone away. Just another adventure in Hawaii, but I’ll be fine if I don’t experience it again.
You can get stung without even being in the water. On our first trip to Australia several years ago, we thought it would be fun to walk the beach first thing in the morning right after sunrise. What could possibly go wrong….
The Hotel warned us that box jellies (the Australian variety which can pack a wallop and on occasion have caused death) will wash ashore overnight and be scattered all around the beach in the receding/receded surf line. They looked the size of half-dollars and the tentacles were not noticeable. They appeared a bit like seashells you might pick up as a souvenier. If stepped upon, you will get stung on the bottom arch of your foot, a very very tender spot. We wore closed tennis shoes, not sandals or open soled shoes of any type. Be aware, please!!! Especially kids. They love shiny things.
Also, if trying to remove tentacles, I personally would soak the location in warm/hot water before trying. Think shaving and how hot water softens the skin, it should make pulling them out completely easier. This is not medical advice, just me thinking it through. Warm skin is softer, cold skin is “tighter”. Just saying…
That was the best advice we got for the whole trip. There were little round shiny things all over the beach just asking to be picked up. (Yes, I am a diver, too, so there is some street knowledge here.)
Aloha! A visitor to West Maui, North Ka’anapali Beach to be specific was stung yesterday July 14th by a “web-like white jelly” on her left arm and upper right leg…it left a painful sting and rash all over her arm/leg. I suggested vinegar and they were able to get a small squirt bottle from the Royale Lahaina staff. I saw her today and a rash is still there. She said the stings were very painful and greatly subsided when she immersed herself into a Very Hot bath. Her cousin who tried to remove the jelly, rubbed his eye and got a sting/rash near it…he is okay with still a small rash by eye…I have swam this beach for over a year now & never encountered a jelly but will take note of these dates, as I knew they came out around Full moon time…Mahalo BOH !
Thanks for sharing the information BOH!
Although I haven’t been stung by a jelly, it’s largely because I check the Waikiki Aquarium Jellyfish Calendar before I book my trips to any island. It’s not the hotel’s responsibility to alert guests about jellyfish. Either ask a lifeguard. check the calendar or do your research before travel. I think the red headed scolopendra centipede sting is by far the worst thing I have ever experienced on Maui. No joke! Hot compresses, apple cider vinegar and ibuprofen are about the only things that helped with super intense pain. Sounds like the jellyfish sting is similar?
Our daughter was stung on a northeast facing beach between Waimanalo and Sea Life Park, just north of the Makai Research Pier on Windward Oahu. This was a few years ago and I can’t recall the time of month but we thought we were relatively safe given the location. (We always check conditions, etc. and don’t jump in just anywhere.) We rinsed her arm with warm water and used vinegar and hydrocortisone, which helped. She stayed out of the sun for a day or two on a local’s advice but the red welts stayed for a few days.
Thanks for this informing article. I’ve been going to HI for many years, and fortunately never had a run-in with these beasties, but I guess I should be better prepared in the future as the potential for in-acting with them begins to get elevated.
I lived in the South of France for 12 years and the 1st 10 years, never saw any Jellyfish. Unfortunately, that changed with global warming and pollution and I was shocked to see how many were lingering around the harbor in Nice when I took the boat to Corsica. Not much different in Hawaii …don’t remember seeing any 20 years ago, but last year there were Jellyfish warning signs at “Sans Souci” (pictured here). Regarding the Kahana beach area, it’s not the cleanest beach on Maui and the “resort” should warn people about jellyfish during the times you mentioned (which was new for me and very interesting!) Since I swim in the ocean almost every day, I will certainly be watching out for jellyfish now …glad to say that I didn’t see any yet!
I have never, so far been stung by Jellyfish or Stingrays. And I haven’t been bitten by Sharks. I don’t go in the ocean anymore because I realize this is these creatures territory. I swim in the hotel pool. If I go on the ocean I go in a boat. That gives me a better chance. Not a 100% but better. I have seen lots of Jellyfish on the beach at Galveston, Texas. I don’t totally trust these preferred times when Jellyfish are less likely to strike because Jellyfish and the other creatures don’t have calendars and they don’t wear watches! I feel it’s safe to assume they are present in the ocean at all times. The hotel can post warnings but it’s good if the visitor does their homework before they leave home.
We visited Waimanalo and Kailua beaches during our 2 week stay in January and I do recall thinking it seemed like they (portuguese man of wars – tiny purple thumbnail size buggahs) were around for more than just 3 days as I have previously read about.
I agree, that visitors anywhere need to take it upon themselves to become aware of hazards and take appropriate action. Many tourists have no idea how to even swim and go into the ocean. Many believe it is just a fair ride and everything will be just fine. Everyone should take the time to learn the history of the water, land, and its people.
A little over a year ago we were on a sunset snorkel cruise along the Napali and while snorkeling near the cliffs several of us, including me, were stung by jellyfish, don’t know what kind. When the crew realized what was happening it was everybody out of the water. They had some vinegar, which I suppose helped some, but for the next hour or so it was uncomfortable. By the time we had returned to the dock it the discomfort had pretty much gone away. Just another adventure in Hawaii, but I’ll be fine if I don’t experience it again.
You can get stung without even being in the water. On our first trip to Australia several years ago, we thought it would be fun to walk the beach first thing in the morning right after sunrise. What could possibly go wrong….
The Hotel warned us that box jellies (the Australian variety which can pack a wallop and on occasion have caused death) will wash ashore overnight and be scattered all around the beach in the receding/receded surf line. They looked the size of half-dollars and the tentacles were not noticeable. They appeared a bit like seashells you might pick up as a souvenier. If stepped upon, you will get stung on the bottom arch of your foot, a very very tender spot. We wore closed tennis shoes, not sandals or open soled shoes of any type. Be aware, please!!! Especially kids. They love shiny things.
Also, if trying to remove tentacles, I personally would soak the location in warm/hot water before trying. Think shaving and how hot water softens the skin, it should make pulling them out completely easier. This is not medical advice, just me thinking it through. Warm skin is softer, cold skin is “tighter”. Just saying…
That was the best advice we got for the whole trip. There were little round shiny things all over the beach just asking to be picked up. (Yes, I am a diver, too, so there is some street knowledge here.)
Aloha! A visitor to West Maui, North Ka’anapali Beach to be specific was stung yesterday July 14th by a “web-like white jelly” on her left arm and upper right leg…it left a painful sting and rash all over her arm/leg. I suggested vinegar and they were able to get a small squirt bottle from the Royale Lahaina staff. I saw her today and a rash is still there. She said the stings were very painful and greatly subsided when she immersed herself into a Very Hot bath. Her cousin who tried to remove the jelly, rubbed his eye and got a sting/rash near it…he is okay with still a small rash by eye…I have swam this beach for over a year now & never encountered a jelly but will take note of these dates, as I knew they came out around Full moon time…Mahalo BOH !
Hi Nita.
Thanks for sharing that report!
Aloha.
Thanks for sharing the information BOH!
Although I haven’t been stung by a jelly, it’s largely because I check the Waikiki Aquarium Jellyfish Calendar before I book my trips to any island. It’s not the hotel’s responsibility to alert guests about jellyfish. Either ask a lifeguard. check the calendar or do your research before travel. I think the red headed scolopendra centipede sting is by far the worst thing I have ever experienced on Maui. No joke! Hot compresses, apple cider vinegar and ibuprofen are about the only things that helped with super intense pain. Sounds like the jellyfish sting is similar?
I am surprised that you didn’t mention MSG as a remedy. We always keep at least one container in our backpacks, just in case. It works wonders.
How do you apply it? As a powder or mix with water?
Just sprinkle it on directly from the container. Repeat as needed.
Our daughter was stung on a northeast facing beach between Waimanalo and Sea Life Park, just north of the Makai Research Pier on Windward Oahu. This was a few years ago and I can’t recall the time of month but we thought we were relatively safe given the location. (We always check conditions, etc. and don’t jump in just anywhere.) We rinsed her arm with warm water and used vinegar and hydrocortisone, which helped. She stayed out of the sun for a day or two on a local’s advice but the red welts stayed for a few days.
Thanks for this informing article. I’ve been going to HI for many years, and fortunately never had a run-in with these beasties, but I guess I should be better prepared in the future as the potential for in-acting with them begins to get elevated.
I lived in the South of France for 12 years and the 1st 10 years, never saw any Jellyfish. Unfortunately, that changed with global warming and pollution and I was shocked to see how many were lingering around the harbor in Nice when I took the boat to Corsica. Not much different in Hawaii …don’t remember seeing any 20 years ago, but last year there were Jellyfish warning signs at “Sans Souci” (pictured here). Regarding the Kahana beach area, it’s not the cleanest beach on Maui and the “resort” should warn people about jellyfish during the times you mentioned (which was new for me and very interesting!) Since I swim in the ocean almost every day, I will certainly be watching out for jellyfish now …glad to say that I didn’t see any yet!