RON VALENCIANA / SPECIAL TO THE STAR-BULLETIN The Department of Land and Natural Resources stationed an enforcement officer at Laniakea Beach in Haleiwa yesterday, after a pregnant Hawaiian monk seal attracted a crowd of people.

High surf lashes North Shore

Choppy conditions prompt lifeguards to post warning signs

Surf with wave faces 30 to 35 feet high pounded Oahu's North Shore yesterday and occasionally washed onto Kamehameha Highway.

Oahu Civil Defense volunteers and police were stationed at Rocky Point to direct traffic if waves crossed the highway, said John Cummings, Civil Defense spokesman.

The agency also received reports of surf reaching the highway at Laniakea and Sunset Beach and crossing Ke Waena Road near Pupukea Beach Park.

Onshore and cross winds made for some unfavorable surfing conditions, said Capt. Bodo Vanderleeden, City Ocean Safety and Lifeguard Services Division. He said lifeguards posted warning signs and warning tape at Laniakea, Chun's Reef, Waimea Beach, Three Tables, Shark's Cove and Sunset Beach to discourage people from entering the ocean or getting too close to the water's edge.

Civil Defense and police closed Waimea Bay Beach Park at 5 p.m.

The Department of Land and Natural Resources stationed an enforcement officer at Laniakea where a pregnant Hawaiian monk seal attracted a crowd of people to the beach.

A low-pressure storm that raged near the Aleutian Islands a few days ago is responsible for the big waves, said Tim Craig, National Weather Service lead forecaster.

A high-surf advisory was in effect for the north- and west-facing shores yesterday and is expected to remain in effect at least through this morning, he said.

The high surf is expected to diminish during the day, but another large swell is scheduled to reach the islands tomorrow night.