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Strong winds, high surf buffet islands

Nina Wu

A high surf advisory as well as a wind advisory are in effect for most Hawaiian isles through this morning.

The National Weather Service has issued a high surf advisory for north and west shores of isles from Niihau to Molokai, north shores of Maui, and east shores of Kauai to the Big Island, effective through 6 a.m. Wednesday.

A large, northwest swell will peak this morning, then gradually lower this afternoon through Wednesday. Strong tradewinds will create rough, elevated surf through this afternoon, then ease on Wednesday as well.

Surf of 10 to 16 feet is expected along north and west shores, and 6 to 8 feet along east shores of Oahu, Molokai and Maui through this afternoon.

Officials warn the public of strong, breaking waves, shore break and rip currents, making swimming difficult and dangerous.

Beachgoers, swimmers and surfers should exercise caution and heed all advice given by ocean safety officials. Boaters should watch out for recreational surfers and bodyboarders utilizing harbor channels to access surfing areas.

A wind advisory has also been issued for parts of Oahu, Molokai, Lanai, Kahoolawe, Maui and Hawaii island, effective through 6 a.m. Wednesday.

Weather officials warn of northeast winds of 25 to 35 miles per hour, with gusts up to 55 mph expected for lower elevations statewide. At Big Island summits, northeast winds of 25 to 40 mph are expected, with gusts up to around 60 mph.

Areas affected stretch from Oahu’s Waianae coast to Waikiki, Honolulu, Hawaii Kai, Kapolei, Nanakuli, Makaha, Haleiwa, Waialua, Kahuku, Punaluu, Laie, Kailua, Kaneohe, Waimanalo, Mililani, Wahiawa, Pearl City and Makakilo.

On Maui County, the advisory covers Kalaupapa, Kaunakakai, Manele, Lanai City, Wailuku, Lahaina, Kaanapali, Kahului, Haiku, Makawao, Hana, Kihei, Makena, Pukalani, and Kula.

On Hawaii island, it covers South Point, Pahala, Hilo, Volcano, Honokaa, Kamuela, Waikoloa, Bradshaw Field, and Saddle Road Above 5,000 feet, The wind advisory also covers Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea above 8,000 feet

The strong winds caused numerous power outages around Oahu overnight, including Manoa and Kalihi, due to downed poles. Customers in Waianae, Nanakuli, Kapolei, Waipahu, Laie, Kaaawa and Kailua are also affected this morning, according to the Hawaiian Electric outage map.

Shortly before 9 a.m. today, police said both directions of Dillingham Boulevard and Kalihi Street are closed due to a leaning pole.

Forecasters say a strong high-pressure system passing north of the isles will produce windy trades across the state into early evening hours.

The strong winds are expected to ease later tonight and become more moderate through Thursday before increasing into the windy range again on Friday and Saturday.

Periods of showers are expected through the week, and will favor mostly windward and mauka areas, especially in the overnight and early morning hours.

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