Big Isle volcanoes hit
with high winds, snow

HILO » Snow showers and 80 mph wind gusts hit the summits of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa yesterday morning, the National Weather Service said.

Roads on Mauna Kea were closed to the public above 9,000 feet. Rich Berner, a guide at the station, said the road probably would not be open by this morning, even though crews worked all day trying to clear the snow.

A winter weather advisory was canceled in the afternoon, but rangers said low visibility, subzero temperatures and 55 mph winds persisted at Mauna Kea's summit. About 6 to 12 inches of snow fell on the mountain, according to some reports.

On Oahu, ocean safety officials closed Kaena Point State Park yesterday after high surf pushed more than a foot of sand onto the road leading into the park.

A high-surf warning was in effect until this morning for the shores of Kauai, Niihau, Oahu, Maui and Molokai.

Surf was expected to reach up to 30 feet along the northern and western shores of Kauai and Niihau and the northern shores of Oahu, Maui and Molokai.