KOHALA COAST, Hawaii – High surf battered West Hawaii, closing beaches for the second day in a row.

The Kona-side of the Big Island of Hawaii usually avoids the full effects of these winter swells, but Friday and Saturday were said to have some of the largest surf in years.

Lynn Beittel checked out some shoreline spots on the resort-dotted Kohala Coast, and grabbed some video of the ocean (above). The first part of her video shows the churning sea facing Kauona by the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel. Hawaii County Civil Defense reported this beach closed for the last two days.

Also closed was the popular Hapuna Beach State Recreation Area. A steady stream of hopeful visitors were turned away at the parking lot, which was also closed.

Yesterday the Department of Land and Natural Resources reported the public beach – including the Waialea section – were closed as “10-15 foot waves breaking in Hapuna Bay, and washing all the way up to the vegetation line of the beach area.” DLNR sai the cabins and cabin area at Hapuna Beach State Recreation Area would remain open.

Beittel reports that a short distance away from the state’s portion of the beach, at the north end near the Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel, the beach seemed to be open. People who know the drill walk in from a public access trail.

On Friday the waves reportedly damaged Puako pier.

By Saturday evening the High Surf Warning had been reduced to an advisory. The National Weather Service map is below: