10-15 Foot Surf North Shores of Maui, Molokai

East Maui, Hana. Photo by Wendy Osher.

By Wendy Osher

(Update: 4:30 p.m. 1/14/13)

The National Weather Service has extended a High Surf Advisory for the North and East facing shores of Maui and Molokai until 6 p.m. on Wednesday, January 16, 2013.

Forecasters say the northwest swell will continue to build tonight, to 10 to 15 feet on the North shore, and 6 to 9 feet on the East facing shores.

The NWS states that surf along the north facing shores of the smaller islands will hold at advisory levels over the next couple of days before declining on Thursday.

A much larger, very long period northwest swell will build in its place, forecasters from the NWS said.

The elevated surf will create strong breaking waves, shore break, beach erosion, and dangerous rip currents.

As a precaution, beach goers, swimmers, and surfers are cautioned to heed the advice of Ocean Safety officials, and exercise caution.

A friendly reminder issued by NWS officials advises the public to, “Know your limits. When in doubt…don’t go out.”

(Posted: 10:59 a.m. 1/14/13)

Forecasters are expecting surf in the 8 to 12 foot range with locally higher sets today along the east facing shores, with decreasing sets of 7 to 10 feet later in the day.

The high surf advisory issued by the National Weather Service remains in effect until 6 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 14 along the east facing shores of Maui and Molokai.

The NWS states that the elevated surf is being generated by a long fetch of strong trade winds upwind of the islands.

The elevated surf will create strong breaking waves, shore break, beach erosion, and dangerous rip currents.

As a precaution, beach goers, swimmers, and surfers are cautioned to heed the advice of Ocean Safety officials, and exercise caution.

A friendly reminder issued by NWS officials advises the public to, “Know your limits. When in doubt…don’t go out.”