High surf warning issued for north, west shores

A third swell this week is starting to arrive and will bring waves with 20- to 30-foot faces, and larger sets, to north and west shores of Oahu, Molokai, Kauai and Niihau and Maui’s north shore Sunday.

The National Weather Service upgraded the high surf advisory to a high surf warning Saturday afternoon until 6 p.m. Monday.

"This swell will produce dangerous high surf along exposed north- and west-facing beaches," forecasters said. "Large and hazardous surf will persist through Sunday night then subside to 15- to 20-feet Monday."

Surf on the west shores of Oahu and Molokai is expected to reach 15 to 20 feet Sunday.

"Expect ocean water occasionally sweeping across portions of beaches, very strong breaking waves and strong rip currents."

However, the surf will not be big enough, nor consistent enough, to hold the Quicksilver in Memory of Eddie Aikau Big Wave Competition.

A spokeswoman for the contest, last held in 2009, said they are not expecting the "Eddie" to go.

The contest is only held when consistent 20-foot or higher waves (using Hawaiian measurements) hit Waimea Bay with faces of 30-feet plus.

The state Department of Land and Natural Resources is also warning of dangerous conditions near Sunset Beach as the high surf is causing erosion and  debris, concrete,  trees and boulders are washing ashore.

"We are advising the public to avoid the area starting from the western-most side of Sunset Beach Park to Rocky Point area during this period of high surf," said William J. Aila, Jr., the DNLR chairman.

"We observed wood debris, concrete, trees, and boulders rolling in the surf and strewn out across the sand.  We want to let the public know to avoid the area because it is unsafe."  said administrator Sam Lemmo. " We recommend the public and affected homeowners continue to avoid the area until the swell subsides."