A large south-southwest swell kept Oahu lifeguards busy for a second consecutive day and was blamed for a death on Hawaii island.
According to Ocean Safety officials, lifeguards made 57 rescues and 745 preventive actions as of 4 p.m. Monday as wave heights reached 12 feet along the south shore.
Off Hawaii island, a 26-year-old Kailua-Kona man died Monday after apparently being overcome by high surf in waters off the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii beach park.
According to police, Richard Demby was found at about 5:45 p.m. in about 25 feet of water.
Oahu Ocean Safety officials had arranged for additional rescue watercraft to be on hand in anticipation of increased activity.
An Ocean Safety report affirmed that most of Monday’s rescues were indeed conducted using rescue watercraft.
The division had earlier warned ocean users to be aware of the heightened danger and not to test their capabilities in the potentially treacherous conditions.
However, the lure of big surf in town proved powerful for hundreds of surfers, bodyboarders and other beachgoers on Monday.
Lifeguards reported incidences of broken boards and leashes and assisted surfers who found conditions too challenging for their abilities.
The swell, which arrived late Saturday and was initially forecast to diminish by Monday, is the result of a powerful low-pressure system in the South Pacific.
On Sunday, lifeguards conducted 17 rescues and nearly 600 preventive actions.
A high surf advisory remains in effect for the south shores of all islands until 6 p.m. Tuesday.
The public is advised to remain mindful of strong breaking waves, shorebreaks, and strong longshore and rip currents that could make swimming difficult and dangerous.
Surf along south shores is expected to drop to 6 to 10 feet and gradually diminish by midweek, when a smaller south swell is expected to arrive.
A long-period east swell generated by Hurricane Andres in the east Pacific is also expected by midweek and surf along east shores may build to advisory levels by the weekend.
In addition, a moderate northwest swell is possible beginning Friday night, which could continue through the weekend.
