Waves climbing to 35 feet pound north shores as high-surf warning is extended

A high surf warning continues for the north- and west-facing shores of isles from Niihau to Molokai, and for the north-facing shores of Maui today.

At about 3 p.m., surf was 15 to 20 feet on the North Shore and 15 to 18 feet along the Leeward Coast, said Dustin Malama, spokesman for the Honolulu Emergency Services Department.

The National Weather Service said surf was about 15 to 18 feet at Kee on Kauai’s North Shore and 15 to 20 feet at Baldwin Outer on Maui at about 11 a.m. today.

Weather officials said a large northwest swell continues to travel northwest to southeast down the island chain today, resulting in very large and dangerous surf along north- and west-facing shores of most isles. The high surf warning remains in effect until 6 p.m. Thursday.

Surf along the north- and west-facing shores of Niihau and Kauai, and north-facing shores of Oahu, Molokai and Maui is expected to reach heights of 25 to 35 feet today, and ease to 20 to 25 feet Thursday.

Surf along the west-facing shores of Oahu and Molokai is expected to reach heights of 18 to 24 feet today, lowering to 15 to 20 feet on Thursday.

Ocean water is expected to sweep across coastal areas, potentially impacting properties and roadways. Large breaking waves and strong currents make it dangerous to enter the ocean in these areas.

The high surf, meanwhile, washed sand onto Farrington Highway at Makaha Valley Road early this morning, closing it in both directions at about 5 a.m. today. Crews were able to clear the roadway and reopen it about an hour and a half later.

“The high surf combined with the high tide pushed some sand onto the roadway itself,” said state Department of Transportation spokesman Tim Sakahara. “Our HDOT crews went up there right away with a street sweeper and other equipment. We got the sand off the roadway relatively quickly, but it was closed for a brief time early this morning in both directions.”

Crews will continue to monitor the highway, he said, and motorists are advised to drive with caution along all coastal roadways. So far, only Farrington Highway on Oahu has been closed due to the impacts of high surf, he said.

To report state highway maintenance issues on Oahu, call 831-6714, or after hours, 485-6200.

A high surf advisory for the north- and west-facing shores of the Big Island, with surf between heights of 6 to 15 feet, also remains in effect until 6 p.m. Thursday.

Beachgoers, swimmers, and surfers on the Big Island should exercise caution and heed all advice given by Ocean Safety officials.

The Vans World Cup is off for today. The finals are scheduled for Thursday.

A spokeswoman for the Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational said the swell is not big enough to run the event Thursday.