Update: High surf advisory remains in effect for north, west shores of Kaua‘i and Ni‘ihau

Update at 5:41 p.m. March 8: The National Weather Service in Honolulu extended the high surf advisory in effect along north and west shores for Kaua‘i and Ni‘ihau until 6 a.m. Sunday as a moderate, medium- to long-period northwest swell is forecast to hold near peak level into tonight before slowly declining into early next week.

Surf will remain above advisory levels — from 14 to 18 feet for north shores and 10 to 14 feet along west shores — through tonight and then should fall below those thresholds by Sunday morning.

Members of the public who plan to be in the advisory areas are again urged to heed all advice from ocean safety officials. Remember: when in doubt, don’t go out.

Original post from 5:49 p.m. March 7: National Weather Service forecasters in Honolulu say a reinforcing northwest swell will steadily fill in tonight and peak Saturday at advisory thresholds for north and west facing shores of many of the state’s north and west shores, including those of Kaua‘i and Ni‘ihau.

A high surf advisory is in effect for those shores for both islands until 6 p.m. Saturday, with large breaking waves of up to 12 to 16 feet along north shores and 8 to 12 feet along west shores expected.

Strong breaking waves and strong currents along shores in the advisory areas will make swimming and other ocean activities dangerous.

Forecasters again urge the public to heed all advice from ocean safety officials if they plan to spend time on the north and west shores of the islands during the advisory period.

When in doubt, don’t go out.