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High surf keeps lifeguards busy; advisory remains for most isles

DENNIS ODA / DODA@STARADVERTISER.COM

The high surf at Waimea Bay on the North Shore attracts many onlookers.

The National Weather Service today issued a high surf advisory for north and west facing shores of Oahu, Niihau, Kauai, and Molokai and north facing shores of Maui and the Big Island until 6 a.m. Sunday. The warning issued earlier has been canceled.

Ocean Safety personnel rescued 10 people, including a 64-year-old surfer, and took thousands of preventative actions as high surf pounded the north and west shores today.

Around 7:45 a.m., lifeguards and area surfers assisted an unresponsive man who had been surfing in waters off Makaha Beach Park.

The man was brought to shore, given CPR, and transferred to the care of Emergency Medical Services, who transported the man to an emergency room in critical condition.

Lifeguards on the North Shore took approximately 1,300 preventative actions yesterday. Another 1,400 preventative actions were taken along the west side of the island.

Surf along north facing shores of Oahu, Maui, Kauai, Molokai, and Niihau are expected to be between 18 to 24 feet through the evening and decreasing to 15 to 20 feet after midnight. Surf along west facing shores of Oahu, Kauai, Molokai and Niihau are expected to be between 10 to 18 feet through the evening and decreasing to 8 to 12 feet after midnight.

The public is urged to take precautions and heed all advice given by ocean safety officials.

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