Northwest swell to deliver high surf
The first in a series of northwest swells should bring waves of 15 to 20 feet today on the north and west shores of Oahu, Kauai and Molokai and the west shores of Maui, according to the National Weather Service, which has issued a high-surf advisory.
The advisory begins at 6 a.m. today and extends through 6 p.m. Wednesday but is likely to be extended through Thursday as another swell arrives.
West shores can expect surf between 10 and 15 feet.
As the current swell drops Wednesday, another northwest swell is expected to fill in Wednesday night and peak Thursday close to warning levels, forecasters said. A third swell is expected to arrive Saturday.
Forecasters warn beachgoers can expect strong breaking waves, shorebreak and strong longshore and rip currents making swimming difficult and dangerous.
People at shorelines should heed advice from lifeguards and avoid danger, the National Weather Service said. Boaters should also expect recreational surfers will use harbor channels to reach surfing areas.
Main break affects 120 Kailua customers
About 120 Board of Water Supply customers in Kailua lost service Monday morning after a 6-inch main break at 459 Kalama St., the agency said.
The break was reported just after 9 a.m., and water service was restored by 11 a.m., said spokesman Keoni Mattos.
Grant money flows to Maui County groups
The Maui Office of Economic Development has issued more than $4.2 million in grants to local organizations during the first half of the fiscal year, including $3.6 million to the Maui County Visitor Association.
Mayor Alan Arakawa said Monday the grantees were selected based on their economic impact in Maui County through jobs and improvements to the environment, agriculture, business, sports, arts and culture.
The University of Hawaii Allied Health Dental Programs received $250,000 for its Maui Oral Health Initiative. Maui Economic Opportunity Inc. received $222,000 for its small-enterprise loans, business planning classes and credit/business consultation services.
Other recipients include Adventure Sports Hawaii Inc. for its Ho‘okipa Kite Surf Pro tournament; the Lahaina Town Action Committee for its Halloween and Boat Days celebrations; the Friends of the D.T. Fleming Arboretum at Pu‘u Mahoe for its Pahana Ho‘ala Seeds of Hope program; and the West Maui Soil and Water Conservation District.
Gift contributes to youth center’s computer lab
The Hana Youth Center, a nonprofit that promotes Hawaiian values and provides after-school programs for youth in Hana, Maui, has received a $5,000 donation from the Hagar Family Foundation.
Along with earlier fundraising, the grant helped the center meet its $10,000 goal to provide students with a new computer lab.
Previously, the center relied on loaned computers from a local nonprofit. The center will now be able to purchase new computers and software for a permanent lab.
