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Friday’s episode of ‘king tides’ not so dramatic; experts say stay tuned

Kihei residents James Loux and Francine Ally survey the peak of Friday afternoon’s “king tides” along South Kihei Road near the Kihei Youth Center. Though he said he was “unimpressed,” Loux did allow that “obviously it does eat away at the road.” -- The Maui News / MATTHEW THAYER photo

The expected peak “king tides” Friday afternoon turned out to be really high tides but did not appear to cause major flooding or damage in Maui County.

Still, the National Weather Service continues to advise caution along shorelines through the holiday weekend.

The tide phenomenon is being created by an ocean swell that generated a high-surf advisory, high tides and higher-than-normal sea level around the islands likely related to El Nino a couple of years ago, according to the weather service and scientists.

The weather service has issued precautions to residents along shorelines in low-lying areas to prepare for possible coastal flooding due to the king tides. There were reports of the ocean washing over Honoapiilani Highway in Ukumehame earlier this week.

Fire Services Chief Edward Taomoto said Friday night that there was “nothing unusual” reported regarding the king tides.

Kihei’s Julee Maurice throws a ball for Roxy while Kahului’s Derick Velez baits a hook Friday afternoon in Maalaea near the peak of the “king tides.” No damage or major flooding was reported from the peak king tides Friday. -- The Maui News / MATTHEW THAYER photo

At Kahului Harbor at high tide at 3:44 p.m. Friday, the tides rose 2.8 feet, according to the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration. Regular oceangoers there at the afternoon high tide said rocks that are usually visible were covered by water. The ocean was not splashing onto Kahului Beach Road.

“It’s rumbling and grumbling,” Kahului resident Larry Bailey said as waves splashed along the breakwater.

Paukukalo resident John Golis said that the water was high.

“Usually, you can see more shoreline,” he said.

In Kihei at the 5:30 p.m. Friday high tide, there were little rollers in the ocean and a really high tide but nothing particularly damaging. The ocean was lapping against a bank across South Kihei Road from the Kihei Youth Center that has experienced erosion and threatened the roadway in the past.

The National Weather Service said Friday afternoon that the combination of large surf and record level king tides will last through the Memorial Day weekend during late-afternoon and early-evening hours. The tides will enhance wave runup, likely flooding portions of beaches that normally remain dry or exposed, and affect beaches, shorelines, boat ramps, docks and vulnerable low-lying roads and structures.

A high-surf advisory remains in effect for south-facing shores of Maui through 6 a.m. Sunday, the weather service said. The surf is expected to reach 6 to 10 feet today and diminish to 5 to 8 feet tonight into Sunday.

The maximum coastal flooding impacts at the highest tides by day, location and times follow:

• Today — Kahului, 4:31 p.m.; Lahaina, 5:49 p.m.; Kihei, 6:23 p.m.

• Sunday — Kahului, 5:20 p.m.; Lahaina, 6:36 p.m.; Kihei, 7:12 p.m.

• Monday — Kahului, 6:13 p.m.; Lahaina, 7:31 p.m.; Kihei 8:05 p.m.

King tides also are expected June 23-24 and July 21-22 in Hawaii.

Hawai’i Sea Grant is asking residents to help document high water levels and related impacts by submitting photos online at ccsr.seagrant.soest.hawaii.edu/king-tides.

• Photographer Matthew Thayer contributed to this

report. Lee Imada can be reached at leeimada@mauinews.com. Lila Fujimoto can be reached at lfujimoto@mauinews.com.

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