Update: Hilo-bound lane of Bayfront Highway reopen; Moku Ola, Onekahakaha beach parks still closed because of high surf

3:50 p.m. Dec. 19 update: The National Weather Service extended the High Surf Advisory for North and East facing shores of Hawai‘i Island through Wednesday morning.

The Department of Parks and Recreation will keep Moku Ola and Onekahakaha Beach Parks closed due to debris.

As conditions remain elevated, additional closures may occur without warning. Beach-goers, swimmers, and surfers should heed all advice given by ocean safety officials.

7:48 a.m. Dec. 19 update: The Hawai‘i Department of Transportation reports that the Hilo-bound lane of Bayfront Highway in Hilo is now open. Crews continue to clear the Hāmākua-bound lane of debris washed onto the roadway because of high surf.

The Hawai‘i County Department of Parks and Recreation also will keep Moku Ola and Onekahakaha beach parks closed because of debris caused by the surf.

Surf conditions remain elevated. Hawai‘i County Civil Defense says beachgoers, swimmers and surfers should heed all advice given by ocean safety officials.

4 p.m. Dec. 18 update: The National Weather Service extended the high surf warning for north- and east-facing shores of Hawai‘i Island through Tuesday morning.

Original post: A high surf warning is in effect for east-facing shores of Hawai‘i Island through this evening. As a result, Onekahakaha, Mokuola, Kealoha, Richardson, and Leleiwi Beach Parks in Hilo are closed.

Bayfront Highway and Lihiwai Street in Hilo are also closed.

A Young Brothers barge meant to dock in Hilo this morning is waiting off port until conditions at the harbor improve.

Hawai‘i County officials say additional closures can occur without warning as the surf conditions will remain elevated through the evening. Beachgoers, swimmers, and surfers should heed all advice given by ocean safety officials; when in doubt, don’t go out.