Sandbags were piled up at all the beach entrances to the Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort on Saturday in preparation for the coastal erosion, wave over-wash and temporary flooding that could have occurred as summer’s last super-size king tides preceded the downgraded Tropical Storm Fernanda ashore.

Surf splashed over the rock wall near the beach fronting the Ala Wai Small Boat Harbor on Oahu’s South Shore, but beach regulars said Waikiki’s 3:50 p.m. peak fell short of this year’s two earlier king-tide events.

“(Water) came up all the way to the wall, but it’s not too bad right now. In April or May the surf went all the way to the center of the parking lot,” said Anuenue Kawamae, who regularly surfs Ala Moana Bowls.

Bulging ocean eddies and a buildup of water from El Nino made tides exceptional this spring. In late April, water levels resulted in the highest daily mean water level ever observed over the 112-year record. Summer’s highest water levels occurred over a few new-moon days around May 26 and June 23 when the king tides, combined with Fernanda, were expected to produce conditions that mimicked global warming and sea-level rise.

Beach flooding had been expected at Waikiki through Sunday, according to the wave run-up forecast at the Pacific Islands Ocean Observing System. However, Friday and Saturday appeared to be just another day in paradise for the thousands of Waikiki beachgoers who were enjoying the sand and surf.

“There’s not much drama,” said Waikiki resident Stephany Sofos. “This is the last king tide of the season, so I think everyone’s just over it.”

Early Saturday afternoon the Central Pacific Hurricane Center reported that Fernanda had weakened into a post-tropical remnant with maximum sustained winds near 35 mph. The system, which was about 500 miles east of Hilo and 690 miles east of Honolulu at 11 a.m. Saturday, was moving to the west-northwest at 9 mph.

At 3:43 p.m Saturday the National Weather Service Honolulu issued a high-surf advisory for Oahu’s east-facing shores. Surf along the north and north-facing shores is expected to range from 1 to 3 feet today. Surf along the east-facing shores is anticipated to range from 5 to 9 feet through today and is expected to stay below 2 feet along west-facing shores.

National Weather Service Honolulu expects “surf along east facing shores will remain elevated through the weekend before diminishing early next week. Surf along east facing shores may get another boost later in the week as swells from distant Tropical Storm Greg potentially arrive.”

Rick Egged, president of the Waikiki Improvement Association, said Waikiki businesses were ready for the king tides, which happen every year, but were expected to reach new heights this year due to El Nino.

“Everyone is set to deal with it. The only time we’re really worried is if we get a king tide and a heavy rain and the water has no place to go,” Egged said.

Cynthia Rankin, regional director of corporate communications for Hilton Hawaii, said the Hilton Hawaiian Village didn’t have to cancel its Friday fireworks show and, though it deployed sandbags, did not expect king tides to affect the property.

“I think our hotels are used to it already,” said Monica Salter, vice president of corporate communications for Outrigger Enterprises Group.

“They’ve put a sand berm up, and if needed there’s a barrier they can put up to make sure the water doesn’t get over the berm and go into the hotel.”