A high surf warning remains in effect for west-facing shores of the Big Island through Wednesday afternoon.
Fueled by a west-northwest swell that rolled in Monday evening, wave heights are forecast to remain between 8 feet and 12 feet along the Kona and Kohala coasts through 6 p.m. Wednesday, forecasters with the National Weather Service in Honolulu said shortly before 4 p.m. Tuesday.
The swell is forecast to peak Wednesday evening, however, the surf could continue with a reinforcing west-northwest swell forecast to arrive Thursday.
“Thursday’s swell may push advisory level surf back up toward warning levels Thursday through Friday. While there will be multiple northwest swell arrivals through the weekend, the overall trend will be slowly downward into early next week,” forecasters said.
As of press-time, the county said all beach parks were open. Laaloa and Kahaluu beach parks in North Kona and Mahukona Beach Park in North Kohala were closed Monday due to hazardous ocean conditions.
The National Weather Service said oceangoers should expect ocean water occasionally sweeping across portions of beaches, very strong breaking waves, and strong longshore and rip currents amid the warning. Beachgoers, swimmers, and surfers should heed all advice given by ocean safety officials and exercise caution.
In addition, breaking waves may make navigating harbor channels dangerous. Boaters should also be aware of an increased number of surfers and body boarders utilizing the harbor channel to access surfing areas.