King tides and high surf hit south shores

King tides and high surf are combining on south- facing shores of all Hawaiian Islands this week, creating a coastal hazard.

King tides, called perigean spring tides by scientists, typically occur in the summer and winter months in Hawaii. Scientists at the University of Hawaii Sea Grant College Program say king tides are most likely to come in conjunction with new and full moons when the “moon is at its closest point to the Earth in its monthly orbit” and the sun, moon and Earth are in alignment. When this happens the “sun and moon’s individual gravitational pulls work together, producing the highest high tides of the year, or the king tides of the year.”

Two hours before sunset Tuesday, the waves were already kicking. Natsuki Nakagawa of Osaka, Japan, and Yuka Yoshida of Akita, Japan, frolicked in Waikiki’s high tide. The two, who were on their first visit to Hawaii, were mesmerized by the big waves that came in an arc over their heads as they posed for pictures.

“We’re happy, happy,” Na­kagawa said. “It’s so exciting.”

Eliza Davis of Melbourne, Australia, who had just returned to Oahu after visits to Maui and Hawaii island, said the waves were “huge” compared with what they were like at the start of her trip two weeks ago.

“I tried to surf today but I couldn’t. The waves were above my head,” Davis said.

Even local Daniel Rivera of Makakilo observed that the waves, while not the strongest that he’d seen, were more fun than normal during high-tide conditions.

“I came down to Waikiki to spend time with family and swim,” Rivera said. “I’ve seen the waves stronger on Yokes (the name locals call Yokohama Bay on Oahu’s west side). But the waves were pumping so I went boogie boarding.”

King tides are expected through Wednesday and again on July 31 and Aug. 1.

During this king tide event, the National Weather Service has issued a high-surf advisory in effect through 6 p.m. Wednesday, when surf will reach from 5 to 8 feet along the south- facing shores of Oahu and Kauai and from 6 to 10 feet along the south-facing shores of Maui and Hawaii island. The NationalWeather Service anticipates moderate impact conditions could bring strong breaking waves, shore break and strong longshore and rip currents that make swimming difficult and dangerous.

“Beachgoers, swimmers, and surfers should heed all advice given by ocean safety officials and exercise caution. Boaters should expect recreational surfers and body boarders utilizing harbor channels to access surfing areas,” the National Weather Service said.

Beach flooding is expected at Waikiki at least through Wednesday, according to the wave run-up forecast at the Pacific Islands Ocean Observing System.

While personal responsibility is important in king tide events, local officials and businesses also tend to operate under heightened awareness with enhanced preparedness efforts.

Nathan Serota, spokesman for the city Department of Parks and Recreation, said Tuesday that staff has placed sandbags along the beach wall at Ala Moana Regional Park, stretching from the Ewa end of the park to the middle.

“We also will sweep sand back into beach areas once the tides have subsided,” he said.

So far, a sand mattress installed in December 2017 at Kuhio Beach Park has been functioning well in the face of these elevated tides, Serota said.

He added that the city Department of Facility Maintenance also is more engaged in storm preparations, such as readying its base yards, to ensure proper responses needed in flood-prone areas.

Hotels, especially those in coastal areas where the shoreline is narrow, also typically prepare for king tides.

Monica Salter, spokeswoman for Outrigger Hospitality Group, said Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort underwent a beach access improvement project last summer that “significantly enhances access to and from the beach for Outrigger’s visitors and hosts.”

“It also mitigates any concern surrounding tidal changes thanks to the removal of a stairwell system that originally went from the beach side of the property to its basement. Since Outrigger’s beach access improvement project finished, there has been no need for additional preparations with king tides,” Salter said.

Along with the higher wave activity, Salter said Outrigger also expects increased restaurant activity at The Reef Bar & Market Grill.

“It’s a prime viewing spot to enjoy the excitement and energy of the ocean,” she said.

Christine Donnelly is off. Kokua Line returns Tuesday.