JAMM AQUINO / JAQUINO@STARBULLETIN.COM Dallas resident Rhett Higgenbotham, left, watched with his son, Andrew, 8, as big surf rolled in yesterday at Makapuu Point on East Oahu.

Troubled waters

» Sandy's gets waves up to 20 feet
» Superferry cancels rides due to heavy seas

High surf is normal along the North Shore in the winter, but Sandy's?

The Hawaii Superferry canceled its rides yesterday and today because of heavy seas.

Lifeguards, warning everyone to stay out of the water, made four rescues at Sandy Beach Park and two at Makapuu yesterday, according to Ocean Safety and Lifeguard Services.

JAMM AQUINO / JAQUINO@STARBULLETIN.COM Waimanalo resident Yuko Stender, left, kept her hand on her hood yesterday while watching big waves roll in with her husband, Keoki, at Makapuu Point on East Oahu. Calmer seas are expected today and tomorrow.

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With unusually high surf hitting the east shores yesterday, surfers thought they were in for a rare treat.

But no.

"It's horrible," complained professional surfer Kainoa McGee yesterday after surfing waves reaching 15 feet to 20 feet at Sandy Beach Park. "It's windy, choppy and bumpy. ... If people aren't experienced, this is not the place to come."

High surf on the state's north and east shores lasted for most of the day yesterday, causing dangerous and rough water conditions, but calmer seas are expected today and tomorrow.

"The waves are treacherous," said David Loganbill, a water safety officer with Ocean Safety and Lifeguard Services. "It's like a washing machine all over the east coastline today."

The Hawaii Superferry canceled its rides yesterday and today because of heavy seas.

The National Weather Service issued a high-surf warning yesterday that was expected to be downgraded to an advisory today with swells reaching about 10 feet to 14 feet.

"These waves are unusual," said Ian Morrison, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Honolulu. "We usually get some wind from the northwest. Those shores on the east side of the island aren't used to seeing those large waves."

The rare northeast swells began three days ago from strong winds north of Hawaii that mixed with the low pressure of a harsh winter storm that slammed Southern California with rain and hail last week.

While there were no serious injuries reported on Oahu, there were several incidents around the island related to the choppy conditions.

The Honolulu Fire Department helped a windsurfer in distress at Malaekahana State Park near Laie yesterday afternoon, said Fire Capt. Earle Kealoha. When firefighters arrived at about 2 p.m., the windsurfer's husband said she was fine, but a firefighter went out to check and brought her back to shore.

Lifeguards at Makapuu Beach Park attempted to keep swimmers and surfers out of the water yesterday. At Sandy Beach Park, lifeguards took preventive measures by walking along the beach and warning residents and tourists of the high surf.

Lifeguards made four rescues at Sandy Beach Park and two at Makapuu yesterday, according to Ocean Safety and Lifeguard Services.

"When it gets like this, we keep everyone out," said Peter Erwin, acting Ocean Safety lieutenant. "Surfers have already tried to get out, and they keep getting pushed back in. Even the more experienced surfers are looking out and saying the water's all washed out."