In a captivating spectacle that seems straight out of science fiction, Kealia Pond in south central Maui has transformed into a stunning pink and purple wonderland for over a week now, leaving onlookers in awe of this rare natural phenomenon.
Travis Morrin, a local business owner and photographer, was among the first to capture this surreal display. Intrigued by reports from friends, he initially doubted the vivid pink hue but was astonished when he witnessed it himself.
“Sure enough, toward sunset, the lighting was good, and I just happened to drive by, and I was like, it’s like Pepto Bismol pink,” Morrin told Hawaii News Now. His Instagram post of the phenomenon quickly went viral, garnering nearly 3,000 likes in just 12 hours.
“It just popped like crazy and at first I was like, I wonder what this is, I mean is it dangerous or something?” Morrin said. “But I have some friends who have assured me that it’s a natural phenomenon. It just never happens here on Maui.”
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which oversees the refuge, has confirmed the presence of pink water for the past nine days. The intriguing coloration is attributed to a specific type of halobacteria that thrives in high-salinity waters.
Kealia Pond boasts salinity levels twice as high as seawater, making it a suitable habitat for these microorganisms.
Fortunately, the pink water is not believed to be toxic, and samples have been dispatched to the University of Hawaii for additional testing and analysis.
The exact duration of this natural phenomenon remains uncertain, but it has captivated the imagination of locals and tourists alike.
DJ Burton, a resident of Wailuku, expressed his awe, stating, “It is so beautiful; it’s really, really cool. It is unlike anything I’ve ever seen. I’ve driven by here thousands of times, and it’s the first time I’ve seen it pink.”
The transformation of Kealia Pond into a surreal pink oasis serves as a reminder of the remarkable and often unexpected wonders of the natural world.
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