WAIMEA BAY — Thousands of spectators flocked to Oahu’s North Shore this morning to see the start of a swell forecast to bring monster waves of up to 50 feet to outer reefs.

So far, the surf hasn’t reached those heights.

But at Waimea Bay this afternoon, the surf did reach heights of 25 to 35 feet, with occasional bigger sets.

Earlier in the day, at Sunset Beach and Waimea, the surf was about 15 to 18 feet, with occasional 20-foot sets.

National Weather Service lead forecaster Robert Ballard said the surf could continue to rise throughout the day, though it’s tough to tell how high it will get because northerly winds are making the seas choppy.

"We don't want people to let their guard down," he said.

Thousands of residents and visitors came out to the North Shore to see the big swell.

Traffic is backed up on Kamehameha Highway near Laniakea but no roads have been closed yet. Police are on scene directing traffic.

Parking is also going to be tough to find. Some folks are parking as far as Chun's Reef and walking down to Waimea Bay.

Meanwhile, the Eddie Aikau surf meet is not on today, according to the contest's Web site.

The site said contest Director George Downing is at Waimea Bay monitoring conditions.

At Waimea well before dawn, hundreds lined Kamehameha Highway to get a look at the waves.

Reemoni Enos, 21, of Honolulu, said he came out with a group of about 10 friends to see the surf. He got to the North Shore at 2 a.m.

"I think it's worth it," he said.

Soly Kor, 34, of Austin, Texas, was visiting friends and decided to come out to see the waves.

"So far, the waves are pretty awesome," he said.
Around 10 a.m., there were still large crowds at Waimea Bay.

Many of those who fought traffic to get to Waimea said it was worth it, even though the waves were lower than expected.

“It’s beautiful — a little sloppy,” said Carina Armendariz, of Ewa.

Sharee Pepper, of Honolulu, said she was glad she came out to see the surf.

“It’s great,” she said. “Even this is fine.”

City emergency services spokesman Bryan Cheplic said all beaches on the North Shore are closed for swimming. He said there weren't a lot of swimmers in the water but out at Waimea Bay, experienced and professional surfers are hitting the waves. They are still being advised to check with lifeguards first; lifeguards officially go on duty at 9 a.m.

Water came over the road near Laniakea, Chun's Reef and Rockpile. Cheplic said there was minor debris on the road, but that police were doing a good job with traffic control.

He said people were parking and walking on the Haleiwa side of Waimea Bay from Chun's Reef and from the Kahuku side, they were walking from Shark's Cove. Cheplic said foot and vehicle traffic is very heavy and urged people to not walk on the highway.

John Cummings, spokesman for the city Department of Emergency Management, said civil defense volunteers are going up and down the coastline checking for damage or other problems.

Cummings did warn drivers to look out for pedestrians on the North Shore.

"We're urging drivers to be cautious," he said.

Three American Red Cross of Hawaii shelters were open overnight on the North Shore and in Waianae.

Cummings said no one showed up at the North Shore shelters.

Six people came to the Waianae shelter, he said.

A high-surf warning remains in effect until 6 p.m. Wednesday for north- and west-facing shores on Oahu, Kauai, Maui, Molokai and Niihau and for west and northeast shores on the Big Island.

The National Weather Service in Honolulu said the large northwest swell will bring dangerous surf into Wednesday.

Surf along the east-facing shores of Oahu and northeast-facing shores of the Big Island will rise to 10 feet to 18 feet today.

A high-surf warning means that battering waves will pound the shoreline, producing dangerous swimming conditions and deadly rip currents.

Beachgoers are advised to remain far from the water. Cheplic said the main concern now is wave runup on the beach. The weather service said waves can suddenly wash up onto previously dry areas and they urge people to follow directions issued by water-safety and emergency-management officials.

You can also follow Advertiser updates on Twitter at twitter.com/honadvmaryv.
Or check out live surf conditions in our Waimea Bay livestream at http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/99999999/MOGULUS02/399990001&template=mogulus.