Warning Level Surf Prompts Closure of Baldwin and Ho‘okipa Beach Parks through Monday

Baldwin Beach Park and Hoʻokipa Beach Park are closed today (Saturday, Jan. 16), through Monday, Jan. 18, because of forecasts of dangerous conditions from warning level surf along north-facing shores.

The National Weather Service issued a high-surf warning saying: “a giant northwest swell will build today, peaking on Kauaʻi during the late morning, on Oʻahu shortly after midday, and mid- to late- afternoon on Maui. Some of the swell`s energy is expected to reach portions of the Big Island later in the day, peaking tonight. A gradual decrease in wave heights is expected on Sunday, but another large swell is expected to arrive by Monday.”

According to the NWS forecast, the largest surge of the north-northwest swell is expected to peak at 40 to 50 feet today before beginning a steady decline.

The Maui Fire Department recommended the closure of Baldwin and Hoʻokipa Beach Parks based on the high-surf forecast.