Kerrie Prowse was back at Oneula Beach, searching the sand for the source of her alarm.

"They look like a bic pen," she said.

But they're not pens, they're needles. Over the past seven days, Prowse has found dozens of medical needles washed up at the Ewa Beach beach. The biggest take was last Wednesday when she found about thirty of the three-inch long needles.

She turned them into the State Health Department. Larry Lau said the health department is trying to find the source.

"We have been able to track it back to a manufacturer and a local distributor," he said. "We're told these needles come in boxes of 500."

The needles aren't syringes for injections. They are needles for drawing blood. Lau said they appear to be unused. Some are uncapped. Prowse wants beachgoers warned.

"If they're not going to close the beach then I want somebody to post a sign at least alerting people of the dangers," she said.

But the state doesn't have signs for this type of emergency so the warning needs to be word of mouth.

"If you're aware of the issue talk to your friends and neighbors," Lau said. "If you see someone on the beach you don't know, maybe just mention it. That would help."

If you find a needle, put it in a container and call police or the Department of Health. If you're walking at Oneula beach, watch your step.

Click here to read more about the investigation and contact information for disposal or to report illegal disposal

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