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A hurricane-force storm to the northwest of Hawaii is generating large surf that will reach the islands Saturday night and could affect coastal residents with possibly destructive run-up, the National Weather Service said.
A high surf warning has been issued by the weather service for north- and west-facing shores of Kauai and Oahu from 6 p.m. Saturday through noon Monday.
Surf was expected to reach 20 to 30 feet along north- and west-facing shores on Oahu and up to 35 feet on Kauai.
The incoming swell has a strong westerly component that will make surf along west-facing shores larger than usual, the weather service said.
Run-up may affect Farrington Highway along Leeward Oahu, and coastal residents need to make preparations to protect life and property from large waves and resulting coastal flooding, the weather service said.
“Damaging surf is expected,” the weather service said. “Battering waves will pound the shoreline.”
The weather service issued a high surf advisory for north- and west-facing shores on Maui from 6 p.m. Saturday through noon Monday.
Surf was predicted to be 12 to 18 feet along north-facing shores and 6 to 12 feet along west-facing shores of Maui.
On the Big Island, surf was expected to reach 10 to 20 feet beginning Sunday morning. The weather service issued a high surf warning for west-facing shores from 6 a.m. Sunday to 6 p.m. Monday.
“The large breaking waves will impact Alii Drive and beachfront properties in Kailua-Kona,” the weather service said.
