LIHU‘E — The National Weather Service has issued a high-surf advisory for Kaua‘i’s north- and west-facing shores effective until 6 a.m. today. Ocean Safety Bureau officials closed Kalihiwai Bay and all North Shore guarded beaches since Sunday afternoon due to
LIHU‘E — The National Weather Service has issued a high-surf advisory for Kaua‘i’s north- and west-facing shores effective until 6 a.m. today.
Ocean Safety Bureau officials closed Kalihiwai Bay and all North Shore guarded beaches since Sunday afternoon due to strong currents. Affected beaches include Kalihiwai, Ke‘e, Ha‘ena and Hanalei.
North Shore beaches remained closed for swimming Sunday and Monday due to hazardous ocean conditions.
“Our fire fighters responded three times to swimmers being swept out of Kalihiwai Bay, and thankfully, they were all saved,” KPD Battalion Chief Albert Kaui said Sunday.
Given the hazardous ocean conditions, Kaui said everyone should exercise “extreme caution” near the water.
On Monday, the surf was expected to be between 16 and 22 feet along north and west-facing shores on Kaua‘i, as well as north-facing shores on O‘ahu, Moloka‘i, Maui and the Big Island.
In the first three months of 2013, seven visitors and three local residents drowned on Kaua‘i — eight in the ocean and two in fresh water — during a deadly 10-week span.
Due to the high surf advisory for all north-facing shores, Kaui urged beachgoers to go to other guarded beaches on Kaua‘i such as Lydgate, Po‘ipu or Salt Pond.
“Check with the lifeguards before going swimming and when in doubt, don’t go out,” Kaui said.
Visit www.kauaiexplorer.com for a detailed ocean report.
