High surf advisory posted for south-facing shores

Waves hit the shoreline fronting Hale Halawai in Kailua Village on Tuesday morning. (Chelsea Jensen/West Hawaii Today)
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KAILUA-KONA — A high surf advisory is in effect for south-facing shores of Hawaii Island through Thursday morning, according to the National Weather Service.

The swell is expected to gradually subside today through rest of the week, forecasters said. Wave heights were expected to rise to 8 to 12 feet are forecast today.

According to Hawaii County Civil Defense, the advisory covers south-facing shores of Hawaii Island from Upolu Point in North Kohala through South Point in Ka‘u to Cape Kumukahi in Puna.

Forecasters advised beachgoers, swimmers, and surfers to 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.

Hawaii County Civil Defense reported no beach closures Monday due to the high surf.

Kealakekua Bay is closed due to a reported shark attack Tuesday morning. A decision on reopening will be made later today.