Posted at 11:59 a.m., Thursday, February 19, 2004
Surfer rescued, Kaua'i beaches closed; waves hit 25 feet
By Rod Ohira
Advertiser Staff Writer
The surfer, who was not identified, was injured at a break off Waialua on O'ahu. Other surfers in the water kept him afloat outside the breaking waves, a half-mile offshore, while lifeguards and firefighters went to his rescue.
Surf this morning was 10 feet to 15 feet, but the National Weather Service forecast wave faces of 20 to 25 feet by this evening on the north shores of Kaua'i, O'ahu, Moloka'i and Maui.
The surfer was brought to shore about 10:15 a.m. on Crozier Drive and taken to Wahiawa Hospital with serious head injuries, said Donnie Gates, an Emergency Medical Services administrator.
Meanwhile, the Ocean Safety Bureau on Kaua'i today closed Ha'ena and Ke'e beaches to swimming and snorkeling after surf reached heights of 20 to 25 feet.
A high-surf advisory was issued for north- and west-facing shores of O'ahu, Kaua'i, Moloka'i and Maui.
