A high-surf advisory remains in effect until at least 6 p.m. today for Oahu’s North Shore and the north shores of Maui and Molokai, with waves in the 10- to 15-foot range. The advisory also covers the north and west shores of Kauai and Niihau, the National Weather Service said.

For the east shores of Kauai, Oahu, Molokai, Maui and Hawaii island, surf will be in the 6- to 10-foot range early today, dropping to 4 to 7 feet, the weather service said.

Meanwhile a strong, fast front approaching the isles from the northwest will bring an end to the recent light winds by Sunday, the agency said.

Southwest winds will increase ahead of this front Sunday and Sunday night, especially near Kauai and Oahu, where it will become locally windy. Kailua and Kaneohe on Oahu could get sudden, strong gusts in these types of patterns, the weather service warned.

A narrow band of gusty heavy showers, and possibly a few thundershowers, is expected to accompany the front as it passes through. Forecasters said the front will reach Kauai late Sunday, Oahu on Monday morning, Maui County on Monday afternoon and Hawaii island Monday night.

The front appears to be moving fast enough to avoid widespread flooding, the weather service added.

2 aircraft avert collision

The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating a close call between two aircraft at Kahului Airport.

A Cessna Caravan took off without clearance from Runway 5 at about 8:20 a.m. as a Hawaiian Airlines Boeing 717 was taking off from Runway 2, said FAA spokesman Ian Gregor by email. The runways intersect at the northeastern end.

A controller in the Maui tower observed the two aircraft taking off at the same time and instructed the Cessna pilot to turn left to avoid the Hawaiian Airlines plane.

“The controller then alerted the Hawaiian Airlines pilot about the Cessna and saw that the jet was already turning to the right, away from the smaller plane,” Gregor said.

He said they are investigating how close the aircraft approached before they veered in opposite directions.

In an emailed statement a Hawaiian Airlines spokeswoman said there were 125 passengers and five crew members aboard the flight bound for Honolulu. The flight arrived at 8:43 a.m.

She declined further comment due to the FAA’s pending investigation.

Funds sought to help ohia

Researchers say they need additional funding to learn more about a rapidly spreading fungus that has been killing native ohia trees on Hawaii island.

KITV reports that about 47,000 acres have been affected by rapid ohia death.

University of Hawaii forester J.B. Friday says the fungus is being carried by the wind.

To test the theory, more money is needed to purchase detectors that are designed to pick up particles in the air. The device can cost around $1,200.

Ambrosia beetles that burrow into an infected tree’s trunk are considered a catalyst to spreading the disease because of the dust they spread, which can travel miles in the wind.

Scientists are encouraging residents to comply with the state’s quarantine on ohia trees that prevents people from leaving the island with the flora.