Outlook through Thursday August 16: As Hurricane Hector tracks westward south of the Islands, a short- period southerly swell is expected to fill in later today and peak tonight. A new long-period south swell is expected to fill in Friday, peak Saturday and gradually lower on Sunday. A mix of small long- period easterly swell and trade wind energy will keep the surf up along east facing shores through the weekend. The small north swell will gradually lower into the weekend. Although confidence is low, a small long-period northwest swell will be possible by Wednesday of next week.
Surf heights are forecast heights of the face, or front, of waves. The surf forecast is based on the significant wave height, the average height of the one third largest waves, at the locations of the largest breakers. Some waves may be more than twice as high as the significant wave height. Expect to encounter rip currents in or near any surf zone.
North East
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Surf: Waist to chest high E wind swell with occasional shoulder high sets.
Conditions: Sideshore/choppy with SSE winds 15-20mph in the morning shifting SE 20-25mph in the afternoon.
North West
ampm
Surf: Knee high N medium period swell in the morning with occasional thigh high sets. This drops a bit in the afternoon.
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Conditions: Glassy in the early morning with S winds less than 5mph. Choppy/sideshore current conditions move in during the morning hours with the winds shifting SW 15-20mph.
West
ampm
Surf: Waist to chest high S wind swell for the morning. This fades in the afternoon with sets up to stomach high.
Conditions: Light sideshore texture in the morning with SSE winds 5-10mph. Semi glassy/semi bumpy conditions for the afternoon with the winds shifting NW less than 5mph.
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South East
ampm
Surf: Stomach to shoulder high SSW medium period swell for the morning. This fades in the afternoon with sets up to chest high.
Conditions: Semi glassy/semi bumpy with ESE winds less than 5mph in the morning shifting SE 5-10mph in the afternoon.
Image: NOAA
Image: NOAA
Image: NOAA
Image: NOAA
Image: NOAA
Image: NOAA
**Click directly on the images below to make them larger. Charts include: Hawaii County projected winds, tides, swell direction & period and expected wave heights.**
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