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Leeward Oahu residents say they've seen a rise in staph infections and they fear the source is one the more popular beaches on the westside. The health issue has surfaced at neighborhood board meetings. This is Pokai Bay in Leeward Oahu a beautiful stretch of white sandy beach and crystal clear water.

"Looks can be deceiving," said Kiyomi Stanley.

Or is it?

"It looks beautiful but it's real real dirty," said Stanley.

For several months area resident have reported contracting "staph infections" from Pokai Bay.

"Bigger like wider and larger infection yeah it was staph infection," said Stanley. "It came big like that look it even got another one here look."

She's not alone.

"Oh was nasty, never seen something like that," said Clement Kamakea pointing to a scar on his leg.

"Took me one month for the thing to heal so I stop cleaning the beaches because I got kind of scared yeah," said Bernadine Kamakea who also suffered from an infection on her foot.

"Must be from over here because I was coming here every morning I was here in the water and then one morning just one big puss just went pop out," added ClementStaph .

Others believe bacteria is coming from storm runoff. A portion of the bay is protected by a seawall so water is stagnant. Some say the source is on the shoreline.

"It's still underneath the sand so everytime Mother Nature comes in and cleans out our sand it's kicking up all the silt. And we got a lot of kids out here too so it's kind of dangerous," said Nanakuli resident Joseph Mamoa. "Yeah I'm concerned."

The Kamakeas have even seen fecal matter in the ocean.

"I see that plenty times, I tell you me and my sister was in the water on that corner she tell look at that I was trying to push it away with my fins," said Clement. "Human waste and the thing go all in the rocks and then come and land."

The State Health Department said: "It is highly unlikely that staph infections are being caused by the water at Pokai Bay. Staph infections are caused by person-to-person or person-to-surface contact that often occurs during sports and other recreational activities."

"I would love if they would come to test out here definitely," said Makaha resident Christina Keaulana. "People here, they're ocean people, they're water people and t heir life is being in the water so it would definitely be worthwhile to get tested out here."

Health officials say to prevent staph infections, people are advised to get treatment early, keep cuts and scrapes clean and covered and don't share personal items.