Waves throw sand, rocks across roads
| • | Unruly surf delays finals of G-Shock Hawaiian Pro |
By Curtis Lum
Advertiser Staff Writer
Stormy winter surf of up to 20 feet swept across O'ahu's North Shore yesterday, sending sand and rocks across some sections of Kamehameha Highway and closing several beaches.
Bruce Asato • The Honolulu Advertiser
No serious injury or property damage was reported as a result of the second winter swell this season. But lifeguards from Waimea Bay to Sunset Beach were kept busy.
Despite lifeguard warnings to stay on shore, at least one bodyboarder yesterday did try to test the waves that hit the 20-foot range at Waimea Bay.
On Nov. 8 a large wave swept a 20-year-old visitor, Rachel Cardova, out to sea near Sunset Beach. Her body has not yet been found.
Yesterday, lifeguards stopped inexperienced bodyboarders from testing the waves, which were consistently in the 15-foot range. Ocean Safety Capt. Bodo Van Der Leeden said these people insisted on going out.
"There was quite a lot of back-and-forth with the lifeguard before they finally conceded they shouldn't go out there," Van Der Leeden said. "That one could have easily been a drowning."
Lifeguards closed beaches from Waimea Bay to Sunset Beach. Waves crashed across Kamehameha Highway in Ka'a'awa on the Windward coast yesterday morning, but caused no damage, said O'ahu Civil Defense acting administrator Paul Takamiya.
The National Weather Service issued a high surf advisory yesterday. Lead forecaster Roy Matsuda said the surf should subside today, but is expected to rise again tomorrow and last through the week.
