Big waves expected at Kauai and Niihau

The National Weather Service has issued a high-surf advisory for north- and west-facing shores of Kauai and Niihau until 6 p.m. today.

A northwest swell was expected to build Tuesday night, bringing surf of 10 to 15 feet to Kauai and Niihau, the weather service said. Surf was expected to reach advisory levels before midnight Wednesday and hold through today.

The advisory is in effect until 6 p.m. today.

An advisory means that waves will affect beaches in the area, producing rip currents and localized beach erosion.

NEIGHBOR ISLANDS

Kapoho man had head injury, autopsy finds

A man whose body was found near Isaac Hale Beach Park in Pohoiki on Hawaii island Jan. 17 died of a head injury, according to an autopsy.

Hawaii County police said foul play has not been ruled out in the death of Dennis Eugene White, 62, of Papaya Farms Road in Kapoho.

The case is classified as a coroner’s inquest.

Hawaii County detectives are continuing to investigate. They are also looking for White’s car, described as either a black or dark green 1998 Jeep Wrangler with a tan soft top and the license plate HDY 926.

White was last seen driving the jeep alone along Papaya Farms Road on Jan. 16.

Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Norbert Serrao at 961-2383.

Hunters protest ban of activity on public land

Hunters in Hilo are protesting a state plan to ban hunting within 4,800 acres of public forest.

The Hawaii Tribune-Herald reported about 20 hunters held signs and waved at commuters outside the Division of Forestry and Wildlife office on Monday.

The demonstration was peaceful. Protesters held signs saying "Stop excessive land grab" and "Our local culture is now on the invasive species list." Passing motorists occasionally honked to show their support.

The state earlier this month released a 15-year management plan that calls for installing 17 miles of fencing to keep pigs, goats and sheep out of four management areas in the Puu Makaala Natural Area Reserve south of Hilo.

The areas would be closed to hunting as a way of protecting the ecosystem from invasive species.