High surf kept Oahu lifeguards hopping Monday with more than two dozen rescues and thousands of preventive actions along north and west shores.
Anticipating the hazardous conditions, lifeguards patrolled North Shore areas on watercraft throughout the day.
According to Ocean Safety spokeswoman Shayne Enright, lifeguards made eight rescues and several assists at the surf spot Himalayas and took nearly 2,000 preventive actions at Sharks Cove and Three Tables.
Overall, lifeguards conducted 13 rescues and took 4,195 preventive actions along the North Shore, and 13 rescues and 131 preventive actions at west-side beaches.
In addition, lifeguards used watercraft to assist a man and a woman, both 28, Monday morning after the two were swept off a ledge at the Makapuu tide pools.
Lifeguards took the pair to the makai pier, where they were treated by paramedics. The woman also suffered cuts on her legs and was taken in serious condition to a hospital. The man was reported to be in stable condition at the hospital.
The National Weather Service extended until 6 a.m. today a high-surf warning for north and west shores of
Niihau, Kauai, Oahu and Molokai; the north shores of Maui; and the west shores of
Hawaii island.
Surf heights, which reached 20 to 30 feet along northern shores Monday, were expected to slowly diminish overnight.
The weather service warned the public to expect ocean water occasionally sweeping across beaches and to be aware of very strong breaking waves and strong rip currents.
Another northwest swell is possible Friday and could bring more advisory-level surf. Warning-level surf could return this weekend.
