50-foot waves
headed for isles

Areas evacuate as Waimea
prepares for the Eddie
Aikau big-wave contest

When waves as high as five-story buildings are predicted to hit Hawaii's northern shorelines, two things usually happen: Expert surfers wax their boards and civil defense volunteers go on alert to protect the islands.

Nature's display of raw power got under way last night, when state authorities closed several beaches across the state in anticipation of 30-foot waves, which were expected to reach up to 50 feet by sunrise today.

"The last time we had high surf of this magnitude was on Jan. 5, 2003," Civil Defense spokesman John Cummings said, noting that civil defense volunteers have been put on alert.

The massive waves are expected to attract large crowds to Oahu's North Shore. And they better bring bicycles if they want to get near the rarely held Quiksilver in Memory of Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational surfing contest, which is scheduled for today at Waimea Bay, event organizers said.

Created in 1986 to honor the legendary waterman Aikau, it's held only when waves reach at least 20 feet under the local scale. It has been held only six times in 19 years.

"We've been looking at long-lasting high swells that have been showing consistently on the buoys," said event spokeswoman Jodi Young. "It is expected to last through the whole day."

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World-class surfers are expected to participate in the event, including Kelly Slater, three-time world champion Andy Irons, and past Eddie Aikau winners Clyde Aikau and Keone Downing.

Waves in excess of 20 feet are predicted to occur between midnight and 6 p.m. tomorrow.

"We've also got excellent light winds and clean conditions," said Young. "It can't get much better."

But it will not be just fun under the sun for North Shore and Leeward communities. A National Weather Service advisory for most islands is in effect, and the monster waves could do some damage, civil defense workers warn.

The peak of the swell is expected to coincide with a high tide of 2 1/2 feet above the mean-low tide.

"High surf coupled with unusual high tide levels have a tendency to magnify the effects of the event and increase the probability of damages to homes, roads and infrastructure in the affected areas," said Doug Aton, acting administrator for the Oahu Civil Defense.

North Shore and Leeward Coast residents have been advised to take precautions.

"We've been pretty lucky. We've only had a wave hit just once," said Gary Quinn, a 25-year-resident of Ka Waena Road on the North Shore.

"It was just like having 100 gardeners sweep out the leaves from under the house," Quinn said.

The large waves hitting the islands today were caused by 60-mph winds over the northwest Pacific Ocean this past weekend, said Tom Birchard, forecaster for the National Weather Service in Honolulu.

"The strong winds were associated with a series of low pressure systems," he said. "There were two lows that joined forces to make a long stretch of enhanced winds. As they moved toward the island, they sort of clean up a little bit and separate and become swells."

A high surf advisory was also issued for the west-facing shores of Maui and the Big Island, while a small craft advisory was issued for Oahu, Kauai, Maui and the Big Island. Areas such as Laniakea and Kamehameha Highway on Oahu, as well as Hilo Bayfront Highway on the Big Island, are normally swept over with seawater when high surf occurs.

"We will anticipate water washing over the roadways in the favored areas, which will likely mean sand as well, if not other debris," said Birchard.

Light winds are expected to last through Friday. "Right now, the strongest winds I see are about 10 mph. At night, it's practically calm over the islands," he said.

After today, the swell is expected to slowly decline through Friday. But another large swell is predicted to occur sometime after Friday morning and continue through Saturday.

On Oahu, camping permits were not issued for Malaekahana State Park until further notice. Campers were advised to leave the area yesterday. Permits also were suspended at Kalalau trail on Kauai.

Park staff also informed campers at Hanakapiai to leave the area, while campers at Kalalau Valley were advised to relocate to higher ground at Red Hill.

On Oahu, the high surf marked the first day of the main event in the Rip Curl Pro Pipeline Masters yesterday.

"We had a very good day today. It's about 6 to 10 feet," event spokeswoman Young said.

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Prepare for danger of high surf The Oahu Civil Defense Agency and state Department of Land and Natural Resources made the following recommendations in preparation of huge waves on the North Shore: » Residents living on or near beach areas in the North Shore or Leeward Coast should be ready to evacuate immediately if ordered or if they feel that their lives or property are in danger. » Residents on the north- and west-facing shorelines should move valuables to higher floors, sandbag oceanside doorways and secure or remove all nonanchored objects in the pathway of incoming waves. » Beach-goers should stay away from the water, peninsulas and the reef overlooking the ocean and be aware of the sudden hazardous changes in ocean behavior. » Motorists driving along the North Shore should exercise caution, as roads can become blocked with sand and debris. » Take measures to protect your property and prepare to evacuate to a safer location if necessary. Listen to your radio or television for Civil Defense precautionary instructions. » Seek homes of family or friends away from the coast or to shelters should you need to evacuate. » If an evacuation is ordered, shelter locations will be broadcast via the Emergency Alert on TV and radio. » Campers in beach parks or private campgrounds should also be prepared to evacuate if threatened by high surf. » Should you or your property be affected by high surf, call the police department immediately at 911.