A visiting man and two boys who live in Hawaii were injured when waves knocked them into a rocky lagoon area this afternoon at Sharks Cove, according to a spokeswoman for the Emergency Services Department.

Ocean Safety and Emergency Medical Services personnel responded to the 4 p.m. incident Tuesday and paramedics transported the three to a trauma center.

A 45-year-old man was in serious condition after sustaining cuts and abrasions to the head and back. Both boys, ages 10 and 8, were in stable condition. The older boy sustained cuts to his head, back and arms, and the younger boy had cuts on his forehead and legs.

Emergency Services spokeswoman Shayne Enright said the three are related. The three were standing on a rocky ledge when the waves washed over them, sending the man and boys into a rocky lagoon area, Enright said in an email. Bystanders helped all three out of the water.

Enright advised the public to stay away from ledges where there is large and dangerous surf.