From last Thursday to Friday, the division performed more than 700 "preventive actions," 100 "assists" and 12 active rescues, according to news release issued by the division.

More than 500 of the preventive actions were reported in District 3 alone, which covers the north and windward sides of the island from Ka'ena Point to the Moku Manu islets.

"It is not unusual to have high surf at this time of year, so we always anticipate being busy," Ocean Safety Capt. Bodo Van Der Leeden said in the release. "However, some of these rescues were avoidable, if people had just heeded the warning signs and consulted with us before venturing out into the surf."

Two of the rescues involved cooperation among the Ocean Safety and Lifeguard Services Division, the Honolulu Fire Department and an experienced professional waterman from the North Shore. Early last Thursday morning, Water Safety Officer Gerald Balaker braved wave heights in excess of 20 feet at Ehukai Beach Park — better known as Pipeline — to rescue a local surfer in distress. After several unsuccessful attempts by the Honolulu Fire Department's rescue helicopter to retrieve Balaker and the distressed surfer, Balaker was able to swim the man back to shore himself.

That evening, professional bodyboarder and world-class waterman Mike Stewart assisted the Ocean Safety and Lifeguard Services Division and the Honolulu Fire Department in rescuing a visiting Peruvian surfer from the waters off Ehukai Beach Park. Water Safety Officer Mark Dombroski, a certified rescue craft operator, was closing up for the day when he got the call.

"I'm just glad that they were able to contact me so I could get the Jet Ski back out in the water," Dombroski said.

"Fortunately, we were able to save him and no one got hurt, but I think many of these rescues could have been prevented, if people just heeded our warnings in the first place."