High surf forecast
to hit North Shore

Giant waves with up to 40-foot faces are expected to hit Oahu's North Shore today and stick around through Tuesday, National Weather Service forecasters said.

Kauai, Molokai and Maui are also expected to see warning-level waves from the swell.

The waves on the North Shore were expected to rise overnight, and reach warning levels by early this morning, the National Weather Service said. The surf will peak Monday afternoon, and likely start declining by Tuesday.

Officials say they're concerned about property damage associated with the swell, especially because of its anticipated days-long duration. "This will hit and peak and stay elevated for 18 to 24 hours," said Weather Service forecaster Tom Birchard.

"That allows more time for wave action to do any sort of erosion." He also said shoreline residents should be aware of the big waves, and prepare in case of an emergency.

Oahu Civil Defense volunteers are on alert to respond to any problems associated with the waves, said spokesman John Cummings. Hawaii's American Red Cross chapter is also geared up to help if necessary.

"We're as ready as we can be," Cummings said. "We just have to wait and see. Once the waves cross on the roads, that's when we start to get involved."

The swell was generated by a massive storm "that's covering almost the entire north Pacific," Birchard said.

The storm was situated about 1,600 miles northwest of Oahu last night, he said.