High surf warning still in effect for most north and west shores
HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - A High Surf Warning remains in effect until 6 p.m. Thursday for the north and west facing shores of Niihau, Kauai, Oahu and Molokai, north shores of Maui and west shores of Hawaii Island.
The National Weather Service in Honolulu said waves along north shores will be 20 to 30 feet Thursday morning, then lower to 20 to 25 feet by the afternoon.
Waves on the west shores of Niihau, Kauai, Oahu and Molokai is 15 to 20 feet, lowering to 12 to 16 feet by Thursday afternoon.
West shores of Hawaii Island could see waves ofm10 to 14 feet Thursday morning, lowering to 8 to 12 feet in the afternoon.
The warning level surf is the result of two overlapping extra-large swells. The first west-northwest swell built up Monday night and the second rolled in on Wednesday, and is expected to peak on Thursday.
Beachgoers, especially those who are unfamiliar with local ocean conditions, should stay well away from the shoreline and stay off sand or rocks that are wet. This indicates that large waves reach those areas, and those waves can easily knock you off your feet and sweep you into the water.
Strong breaking waves and offshore currents will be possible.
Forecasters say the swell will begin a steady decline Thursday night, continuing into the weekend.
The following beaches on Hawaii Island remain closed until further notice amid the high surf:
- Kahalu’u Beach Park
- La’aloa Bay
- Kua Bay
- Alanui Kaloko Road
- Coastal trail from Kaloko Fishpond to ʻAiʻopio Fishtrap
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