Surf spurs rescues on O'ahu, Maui
By Jessica Webster
Advertiser Staff Writer
Surf swells across the south shore kept ocean safety crews alert yesterday as they plucked an average of 15 people an hour from the water.
Bruce Asato • The Honolulu Advertiser
Inexperienced swimmers, as well as a few seasoned surfers and adventurers, ran into problems with surf ranging from 3 to 6 feet.
Surfers were riding high at Ala Moana Bowl surf break yesterday on O'ahu's south shore. But the higher surf is best left to skilled surfers and swimmers: Ocean safety officials said tower guards on Ala Moana and Waikiki made 100 assists and seven critical rescues.
Ocean Safety Capt. Edmund Pestana said tower guards on Ala Moana and Waikiki made 100 assists and seven critical rescues. Crews using jet-propelled vehicles made 80 preventative saves.
An average day on Ala Moana or Waikiki beaches might yield a dozen assists.
In addition, guards treated 24 first-aid cases — primarily people who were hit in the head and face by loose surf boards.
Earlier surf forecasts indicated the potential for 10-to 16-foot waves, but the big stuff never arrived.
Capt. Richard Soo said the Honolulu Fire Department responded to a call around 1 p.m. when a rubber raft overturned off Point Panic. Ocean safety officials rescued two girls, and no one was injured.
Hanauma Bay closed portions of its reef because of high surf and winds.
On Maui, lifeguards rescued four people from the surf at South Maui beaches. They also responded to two medical calls and warned scores of others to watch out for dangerous conditions.
"It was a busy day, for sure,'' said John Silberstein, the head of beach water safety for Maui County. He said that an additional lifeguard was posted at Kihei's Kama'ole beaches after the forecast called for rising surf.
Soo said high surf captures people's excitement.
"What these kind of conditions bring out is the real amateurs who think that because of the crowd they ... are safe," Soo said. "People should know their skill levels and not venture out unless they are really experienced."
Neighbor Island editor Christie Wilson contributed to this report.
