High Surf Closes Five West Hawaii Beaches

High surf prompted the closing of a handful of West Hawaii beaches today.

The areas closed included Kahaluu and Laaloa beach parks along Alii Drive south of Kailua-Kona, Kekaha Kai and Kua Bay state parks in North Kona and Hapuna Beach in South Kohala.

Civil Defense Agency Director Darryl Oliveira said while one report was received of waves reaching Alii Drive, it appeared that the current surf was not having as much of an impact in West Hawaii as was observed in December.

Oliveira attributed that mostly to the direction of the current swell.

For example, a check he made today of Puako showed relatively little impact on the boat launching facilities there compared to the damage done last month.

A high-surf warning remained in effect for west-facing shores of the Big Island until 6 a.m. Friday.