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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Friday, September 25, 2009

8 rescues made as huge swell arrives on Oahu


Advertiser Staff

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

A surfer catches a huge wave on Ehukai Beach on Oahu's North Shore. A high-surf advisory remains in effect until tomorrow morning.

DEBORAH BOOKER | The Honolulu Advertiser

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The biggest swell of the year "by far" is rolling in on the north shores of Oahu and Kauai today.

A high-surf advisory for most of the state remains in effect until 6 a.m. tomorrow.
The National Weather Service says wave faces of 14 to 18 feet can be expected today on north-facing shores of Niihau, Kauai, Oahu, Molokai and Maui.
West-facing shores on Niihau, Kauai, Oahu and Molokai will see surf in the 10- to 14-foot range.
Wave heights are expected to remain elevated but drop below advisory levels tomorrow.
"This is by far the biggest swell we've seen this year," said Bryan Cheplic, spokesman for the city's Emergency Services Department, who was on Oahu's North Shore. "We could be seeing wave faces of 18 to 20 feet by the end of the day."
By 2:30 p.m., there were no reports of waves crossing roads on Oahu's North Shore or other wave-related damages, Cheplic said. He said it appears the swell did peak earlier this morning with surf heights in the 12-15 foot face value range and is slowly beginning to subside.
However, Cheplic said lifeguards are still asking people to check with them before going into North Shore waters for the remainder of today and through the weekend.
There were eight rescues and 1,200 verbal warnings issued today on the North Shore.

On Kauai, ocean safety officials said waves of up to 20 feet were breaking at Hanalei, Haena and Kee beaches on the north shore. They urged swimmers and surfers to stay out of those waters or go to other beaches on the island.
The swell is being generated by the remnants of a typhoon that threatened parts of Asia last week.
City lifeguards are urging all beachgoers — swimmers, surfers and spectators — to practice caution and heed warning signs that may be posted.