Rare swell heading toward West shores

By Curtis Lum
Advertiser Staff Writer

A high-surf warning was issued yesterday for the north shores of most islands, but forecasters want people along west-facing shores to be particularly careful because surf there is expected to be exceptionally high.

A powerful, slow-moving storm is producing a west and northwest swell that will peak today and again late tomorrow, with surf on north shores reaching 30 to 40 feet. But Bob Farrell, National Weather Service lead forecaster, said residents on west shores should be prepared for rare high surf that could reach 15 to 25 feet.

"It's not often that we get a west swell this big," Farrell said. He said exposed areas, such as the Kona Coast on the Big Island, may be hit hard.

"Those coasts have particular problems with the high surf," he said. "They can't take waves as big as the north shores can so it may pose a problem for the Kona Coast and possibly the west coast of O'ahu."

The surf is expected to slowly decrease beginning Friday.

During last week's high surf, the west shores saw waves in the 15- to 20-foot range, he said.

The possible big surf has residents in the 454-unit Makaha Surfside condominium concerned because the shoreline fronting the complex is badly eroded. Resident Chris Martin said some units are less than 30 feet from the ocean.

Last week, waves were breaking 10 feet above a breakwater, which stands about five feet above the sea level, Martin said. He said those waves caused minor damage, but he's concerned about this week's higher surf.

"Another one comes in like that, it's going to be very bad," Martin said. "Supposedly it's going to be higher so we could be in big trouble."

He said security personnel will be keeping an eye on the waves and are prepared to place additional sandbags where needed.

Reach Curtis Lum at culum@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8025.