Posted on 12/15/2004 2:59:18 AM PST by Jet Jaguar
HONOLULU (AP) - Strong winds in the northwest Pacific Ocean sent towering waves crashing along Hawaii's coast, prompting officials to close beaches amid fears that some waves could reach as high as 50 feet.
The National Weather Service put high surf warnings in effect for the north-facing shores of all the islands except Lanai until Wednesday night.
"High surf coupled with unusual high tide levels have a tendency to magnify the effects of the event and increase the probability of damages to homes, roads and infrastructure in the affected areas," said Doug Aton, acting administrator for Oahu Civil Defense.
A handful of beaches on Oahu were closed Tuesday, and Kauai County officials closed beaches on the Garden Isle's north shore as a precaution. In the past, such high surf has caused damage to beachfront homes, and left beachside roads and highways littered with debris.
The agency advised residents to avoid the beaches and stay out of the water, but city lifeguards said they expect some of the largest crowds of the season to attend a seldom-held big wave surfing contest. The Quiksilver In Memory of Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational is held only when the waves reach at least 20 feet; it has been held only six times in 19 years.
"We're just concerned that there will be a lot of people out on the North Shore and it impacts our ability to provide emergency services," said lifeguard Lt. John Hoogsteden.
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On the Net:
National Weather Service: http://iwin.nws.noaa.gov
AP-ES-12-15-04 0533EST
Every winter some of us would ride up to Waimea Bay beach or Pipe Line ('Ehukai Beach) and watch the idiot haole tourists. The beaches would be closed, but these idiots who were used to 10 or 12 foot surf would freak on the 30-40 foot surf and with a scream of “Surf’s Up!” grab their boards and hit the water.
The local surfers and life guards would try to stop them, but there would always be one or two that would make it to the water. My hat went off to the life guards who had to go in and save them.
I used to live on the North Shore, too (Haleiwa). My ex-husband used to snorkle at Wimea and Pipeline. We also lived in Kailua and Honolulu. We were there 4 years.
Man, I miss the beaches sometimes. We were there in 1993 when there was a huge hurricaine. I miss going up to the fields in Wahiawa and grabbing 2nd generation pineapples. I miss mangoes dropping on the street like apples. I miss salt water and heated skin and colors that wake your senses. Oh, how I miss the color of the water at Waimea and Kailua Beach Park.
OH!!!!!!
I need more coffee. I first read it as 'Giant Smurf'.
I wonder what Jaws looks like?
OMG!
LA LA LA LA LA LA.......
LOL!!!
I still have some of those blue stuffed things in my house
LOL!!!
It is real, it's in Tahiti.
I was there between 1979 and 1985. We preferred Hanauma Bay for swimming. Very few tourists, there was seldom any surf, and the water was so clear we could watch the fish swimming around our legs.
I was fortunate to be on an Army boat, so for diving and snorkeling I enjoyed Smuggler’s Cove on Kahoolawe
Looks about right.
Just FYI....regarding your signature...I'm a huge BlackAdder fan,and it's "sod off",which is British slang
for "f&%k off".
When I was young and stupid I tried out a monster wave. Worst wipeout of my life. The sand besides exfoliating me ended up in way too many orfices. I was damn lucky. Any freepers in that area please post pics if you can.
I'll echo the request for pics. I was in Hawaii 83-85. I used to love to wander up to the North Shore and watch the big stuff in the winter.
Semper Fi
Iniki, the one that decimated Kauai, right? We were there right before it hit.
Last year at Sunset.
Noooooo! Not that song!!
You have an evil streak...
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