Growing up in California, I learned that waves hitting you can push you to the bottom and keep you there until they pass.
These would have done the same but dragged everyone along it's path inland.
Very sad!!
Over rocks, over coral, over the cement walls along the islands shoreline roads, along the cement patios of resorts, along and into swimming pools, into fences around the swimming pools...into and through buildings...down streets...these waves had such an underpull with so much debris...just a whack in the head with a pvc chair was sure as death...can't hold your breath when you have been knocked unconscious...so very sad for the victims...
That reminds me, when I was swimming in the Sea of Japan. The waves had one large and powerful break onto the beach. While heading to shore, my dad who was swimming with me, swam ashore first. I watched a wave carry him that threw him hard against the rocky beach. As the wave receded I saw him lying on the rocks feeling a little hurt, but OK - suffered a few bruises.
I was smarter. I observed the timing of the surf and swam between the waves. :)