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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Monday, January 11, 2010

High surf closes beaches on Oahu's North Shore


Advertiser Staff

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

The shorelines shaded in green are under a high-surf warning. The waters shaded in purple are under a small-craft advisory.

National Weather Service graphic

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City lifeguards this morning closed beaches on Oahu's North Shore to recreational swimming because of high surf.

Bryan Cheplic of the city's Emergency Services Department said surf was "easily in the 20- to 25-foot face-value range" this morning, with occasional sets in excess of 30 feet.
The National Weather Service has posted a high-surf warning for most north- and west-facing shores of the state as a large northwest swell rolls in.
The weather service says the swell will bring north shore surf in the 30- to 40-foot range today.
Surf along west-facing shores will be 10 to 20 feet.
The big waves are expected to continue into tomorrow before slowly diminishing.
The high-surf warning remains in effect until 6 p.m. tomorrow.
Cheplic said there have been reports this morning of water coming across the roadway in areas such as Laniakea and Chun's Reef, but no reports of property damage.
On Kauai, officials are reporting surf with 30- to 40-foot faces and hazardous ocean conditions from Hanalei to Kekaha. Beachgoers are being urged to seek other beaches for swimming and snorkeling, including Lydgate, Po'ipu and Salt Pond.
Lifeguards are urging beachgoers to practice extreme caution and to heed all warning signs that might be posted.
The city's Ocean Safety and Lifeguard Services Division provides recorded updates on ocean conditions at 922-3888, ext. 51, or go to:
www.hawaiibeachsafety.org