Hazardous surf pummels shores, swimmers across state

The high waves lead to beach closures and several rescues

By Sarah Zoellick / Michael Tsai

POSTED: 01:30 a.m. HST, Jan 20, 2013

~~<p>High surf generated by a large northwest swell Saturday prompted the closure of popular beaches on Hawaii island and Kauai, complicated efforts to retrieve the bodies of two drowning victims in waters off Kauai, and kept Ocean Safety personnel on Oahu busy with numerous rescues and preventive actions.</p>
<p>The Department of Land and Natural Resources closed Hapuna Beach at Hapuna Beach State Park Saturday morning after ocean surges were observed breaking far up shore.</p>
~~

High surf generated by a large northwest swell Saturday prompted the closure of popular beaches on Hawaii island and Kauai, complicated efforts to retrieve the bodies of two drowning victims in waters off Kauai, and kept Ocean Safety personnel on Oahu busy with numerous rescues and preventive actions.

The Department of Land and Natural Resources closed Hapuna Beach at Hapuna Beach State Park Saturday morning after ocean surges were observed breaking far up shore. Login for more...