20-30′ Surf Prompts Extended Warning

Peʻahi at “Jaws” on Jan. 22, 2014. Photo courtesy: francophotography with Morey Hawaiʻi.

By Wendy Osher

A high surf warning has been extended until 6 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 25, 2014, due to ongoing hazardous conditions.

“Although the current northwest swell is slowly subsiding, another large northwest swell is expected to arrive late this afternoon,” according to the latest forecast released by the National Weather Service.

NWS forecasters say surf is expected to build to 20 to 30 feet late this afternoon along the north facing shores of Maui and Molokaʻi.

The forecast also calls for 15 to 20 foot surf along the west facing shores of Molokaʻi over the same period.

Warning level surf will produce deadly rip currents, and “dangerous, battering waves” that will pound the shoreline.

Swimming conditions are described as “very hazardous.”

The large surf has been drawing daily crowds of spectators to the north shore as some big-wave surfers brave conditions at the Peʻahi surf spot known as “Jaws.”

Forecaster say surf is expected to slowly decrease on Saturday.