A slow-moving storm near New Zealand is generating a south-southwest swell that will bring advisory-level surf to the islands through Sunday, the National Weather Service said.
The south shores of all islands are under a high surf advisory until 6 p.m. Sunday.
Surf is expected to be about 6 to 8 feet, with locally higher sets along south shores, officials said.
The swell was building through Saturday and was expected to peak overnight. High surf will persist into Sunday afternoon, forecasters said.
Beachgoers should be careful and follow all advice from lifeguards.
Forecasters said moderate to breezy trade winds will weaken the first half of the week, then possibly decline further Thursday.
Clouds and showers will continue to favor windward and mountain areas at night and morning, with Kauai and Oahu likely seeing the most rain during the next few days, the weather service said.
Moped driver dies following crash with SUV in Kahului
A 25-year-old Kahului man driving a moped died Saturday morning after colliding with an SUV on South Papa Avenue near Maalo Street in Kahului.
Davin K. Ah Yen, 25, suffered critical injuries while traveling south on South Papa Avenue and struck a northbound blue 2009 Honda CR-V making a left turn into a residential driveway at 7:19 a.m.
Ah Yen was driving a black Vespa moped and was not wearing a helmet, police said. He was transported to Maui Memorial Medical Center and died at the hospital.
The 23-year-old Kahului man in the Honda was not injured, Maui police said.
Police are investigating if excessive speed or alcohol were factors in the collision.
This is Maui County’s fifth traffic fatality this year, compared to 14 at the same time last year.
Kauai drought expected to linger in leeward areas
LIHUE, Kauai » Scientists say Kauai’s drought is expected to worsen in some areas while improving in others.
The Garden Island reports that National Weather Service hydrologist Kevin Kodama says the windward sides of the island should get more rain but the leeward sides will stay dry.
Interior Kauai and Niihau are abnormally dry, while weather service Honolulu meteorologist Tom Birchard says much of the coastline is dealing with a moderate drought.
Birchard says rain levels across Kauai this year have been about 50 percent below normal.
The culprit is El Nino, the irregular weather pattern that causes temperature and rainfall changes in the Pacific Ocean.
Department of Water spokeswoman Kim Tamaoka says the dry conditions have not had any significant effect on the county’s water supply so far.
