The National Weather Service issued a high-surf advisory Thursday that’s expected to be in effect through 6 p.m. today as wave heights continue to reach hazardous levels.
City Ocean Safety Division officers Thursday were involved in at least nine rescues and took more than 2,500 preventive measures, including issuing oral warnings, along the North and West shores of Oahu.
Surf is expected to reach heights ranging from 18 to 24 feet on the North Shore and 10 to 15 feet along western shores, the National Weather Service advisory said.
The surf, which has been at advisory levels since 6 a.m. Tuesday, is expected to remain large and hazardous through this afternoon, with moderate to strong breaking waves and rip currents that make swimming difficult and dangerous, according to the National Weather Service.
Beachgoers, swimmers and surfers are advised to be careful and obey ocean safety officials.
Ocean Safety Division officers also contended with a large number of jellyfish drifting into the island’s South Shore on Thursday morning, with a few stings reported in the early morning hours.
"Lifeguards at both Waikiki beaches and at Ala Moana have posted signs advising the public of the box jellyfish," city Emergency Medical Services spokeswoman Shayne Enright said, adding that volunteers had collected close to 1,000 jellyfish by 8:30 a.m. Thursday.
"We also collected about a dozen on the west side," she said.
Enright said Ocean Safety officers usually see the most jellyfish in the morning.
"We don’t expect these numbers to go up drastically" within the next few days, she said.
Box jellyfish typically measure 1 to 2 inches long, with tentacles that stretch about a foot long. Even those that are lying on the sand can be toxic and should not be touched.
In Hawaii, box jellyfish tend to come near the shore to spawn about 10 days after the full moon. Beachgoers are advised to inquire with lifeguards about any potential dangers, from jellyfish to ocean currents. Beachgoers who are stung can use an ice pack or immerse the wound in warm water to relieve the pain, according to Ocean Safety and Lifeguard Services.
Beachgoers headed to Oahu’s North Shore this weekend can expect another round of high surf building on Saturday.
National Weather Service meteorologist Matthew Foster said beachgoers can expect waves from 18 to 24 feet high, if not slightly bigger.
