The National Weather Service has extended a high-surf warning for north and west shores of Niihau, Kauai, Oahu and Molokai and the north shore of Maui to 6 a.m. today.
The warning was prompted by a large northwest swell that is expected to produce surf of 20 to 25 feet along north shores and 15 to 20 feet along west shores.
The weather service is advising the public to expect ocean water to occasionally sweep across beaches amid very strong breaking waves and strong rip currents.
Fu takes the tiara as new Narcissus Queen
Ashley Fu was crowned the 67th Narcissus Queen on Saturday night at the Narcissus Queen pageant presented by the Chinese Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii at the Hawaii Theatre.
Fu, a San Diego native, graduated from the University of Hawaii at Manoa with a bachelor’s degree in economics. She is an associate account manager at Kaiser Permanente. Among her goals: earning a master’s degree in entrepreneurship and starting a thyroid support group in Hawaii.
Cassandra Chang was crowned as first princess; Jill Lau Fukumoto, second princess; Jessica Cheng, third princess; and Lena Zheng, fourth princess.
Fu also won the competition’s awards for most photogenic, talent and popularity. Tiffany Ching won “Miss Social Media” and “Miss Congeniality” awards.
The court will make appearances throughout the state in celebration of Chinese New Year and will undertake a goodwill tour to China in the summer.
Fu will be officially crowned as queen Jan. 30 at the Narcissus Coronation Ball at Hilton Hawaiian Village.
Kayaker injured off Molokai park
A man was in critical condition Sunday after he and a female companion were knocked off their kayak while paddling in waters off Molokai’s One Alii Park.
A witness told firefighters that the couple tried to paddle beyond the surf break but were knocked over by higher-than- normal surf shortly after 10:30 a.m.
Firefighters searching the area on watercraft located the woman and brought her aboard. They found the man facedown in the water. Both were brought to shore around 11:10 a.m. Paramedics transported the man in critical condition to Molokai General Hospital.
Hawai‘i Big Tree nominees sought
Nominations are open for the annual Hawai‘i Big Tree competition.
Sponsored by the state Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Forestry and Wildlife and American Forests, the program focuses on the largest trees of various native species as a way to raise awareness about the importance of healthy trees and forests.
The public is invited to find new champions for 21 species specified by American Forests. To replace a current champion, a challenger tree must have more total points, based on trunk circumference, height and average crown spread.
Several of the state’s current champions are on Hawaii island. Among the tallest is a 115-foot koa tree in Kona Hema Preserve.
To nominate a tree, contact Krista Lizardi at 587-0164 or Krista.M.Lizardi@hawaii.gov. More information is available at dlnr. hawaii.gov/forestry/info/big-tree.
