(ABOVE) Hawaii Island Weather Alert map plots the area under a National Weather Service High Surf Warning

NEWS BRIEF

• A High Surf Warning remains in effect for west facing shores of Hawaii Island until 6 a.m. HST Tuesday.
• Wave heights are expected to measure 8 to 12 feet tonight, lowering to 6 to 10 feet Tuesday.
• Due to the high surf, Kohanaiki Beach Park will close overnight to campers on Monday, December 22.

PRIMARY SOURCES

A high surf warning remains in effect until 6 am HST Tuesday.

• Surf… Along north and west facing shores of Niihau and Kauai and north facing shores of Oahu… Molokai and Maui… 20 to 25 feet tonight feet lowering to 14 to 18 feet Tuesday. Along west facing shores of Oahu and Molokai… 15 to 20 feet tonight lowering to 8 to 12 feet Tuesday. Along west facing shores of the Big Island… 8 to 12 feet tonight lowering to 6 to 10 feet Tuesday. In addition… Some east facing shores of the smaller islands exposed to north swell will experience elevated surf through Tuesday.
• Timing… Gradually diminishing tonight and Tuesday.
• Impacts… High… Expect ocean water occasionally sweeping across portions of beaches… Very strong breaking waves and strong currents. Breaking waves may occasionally impact harbors exposed to the swell… Making navigating the harbor channel dangerous.

Precautionary/preparedness actions…

Stay out of the water and well away from the shoreline along the affected coasts. Inexperienced persons should remain off beaches and adjacent beachfront areas. Large breaking surf… Significant shorebreak… And dangerous currents make entering the water very hazardous. Anyone entering the water could face significant injury or death.National Weather Service on Dec. 22

Due to high surf conditions, the County of Hawai‘i Department of Parks and Recreation will close Kohanaiki Beach Park to overnight campers on Monday, December 22.

Kohanaiki Beach Park will be open for day use only, and the access gate will be locked nightly at the normal 9 p.m. closing time.

Kohanaiki Beach Park will be reopened for overnight use as soon as conditions allow. A follow-up announcement will be issued when normal operating hours resume.

The Department of Parks and Recreation thanks patrons and the general public for their patience during the temporary suspension of camping and for understanding the need to ensure safe conditions for all park users.Hawaii County Dept. of Parks and Recreation on Dec. 22