Kauai beaches close in face of big surf

HANALEI » High surf on the northern and eastern shores yesterday prompted Kauai lifeguards to close North Shore beaches to swimmers.
Kaleo Hookano, Kauai Ocean Safety Bureau supervisor, said the surf, in the 8- to 15-foot face-height range with bigger sets, was causing strong rip currents all over the North Shore. That prompted lifeguards to prohibit swimming from Hanalei to Haena, officials said.

Surf at some of the less accessible spots on Kauai's northeastern shore had big sets rolling in, some with wave faces as big as 25 feet. Hookano said lifeguards were busy in Hanalei and Haena, but they did not make any rescues.
The north swell is expected to slowly subside today, and lifeguards are expected to reopen beaches to swimmers this morning, officials said.