Hawaii Island’s north-facing shores are under a high surf warning until 6 p.m. today because of swells about twice as high as average.
Hawaii Island’s north-facing shores are under a high surf warning until 6 p.m. today because of swells about twice as high as average.
The National Weather Service issued the warning Monday in anticipation of surf that could reach heights of 25 to 30 feet.
Honolulu-based forecaster Pete Donaldson said the area of impact runs along the northeast coast of the Big Island, starting at Upolu Point.
“(It affects) localized places along the fishing shores of the Big Island,” Donaldson said. “… Some shores stick out farther than others and, of course, the shoreline is so steep on the Big Island the actual wave action you get varies a lot from place to place. Some places like Hilo, since it’s in a bay, aren’t going to get the action.”
Donaldson said surf probably would peak late Monday night and diminish by today, but remain high.
In response to the high surf, police closed Old Government Beach Road in Waa Waa, near Hawaiian Beaches in lower Puna. The closure runs south of Kuna Street and about a mile north of Sadileck Road in an area commonly called Honolulu Landing.
At 2 p.m. Monday, data from the Pacific Islands Ocean Observing System showed the Hilo buoy reporting significant wave height, peaking at 22.57 feet. By 3:45 p.m., that number was about 17.29 feet.
On Oahu, officials closed a portion of Kamehameha Highway Monday afternoon because of wave action impacting the roadway. Yokohama Bay in Kaena Point State Park Reserve on Oahu also was closed because of dangerously high surf conditions.
Email Kirsten Johnson at kjohnson@hawaiitribune-herald.com.