PAIA - The monster-sized waves that visited Maui County earlier in the week were gone Wednesday, allowing the National Weather Service to cancel high-surf warnings and replace them with advisories of larger-than-normal surf on north- and west-facing shores.
The high-surf advisory was expected to remain in effect until 6 a.m. Friday.
The diminished surf allowed Maui County to reopen Baldwin and Hookipa beach parks. Both had been closed since Monday because of concern about dangerously large surf and rip currents. The Baldwin lifeguard tower was moved 150 feet inland Monday to prevent surf from damaging it.
No injuries were reported from the high surf, said county spokeswoman Mahina Martin.
Although the surf was smaller, county officials still advised beachgoers to exercise caution on the shoreline.
Surf at Hookipa was reported to have 12- to 16-foot wave faces Wednesday morning, said Glenn James, senior weather analyst at the Pacific Disaster Center in Kihei. He expected waves at Hookipa to drop to 8 to 12 feet today.
After dropping today and Friday, surf should "bump up" again Saturday, James said. Then, on Monday and Tuesday, another large northwest swell is expected to arrive in the islands.
Light winds should make for smooth conditions for surfers today, he said. Then, on Friday, trade winds should kick up enough to allow windsurfers and kiteboarders to get out on the water.
Over the weekend, light variable winds out of the southeast should arrive, probably bringing voggy conditions, James said.
Residents can expect pleasantly warm days, with some chilly nights and early mornings for the next few days, he said, noting that Kahului Airport recorded a low temperature of 59 degrees Wednesday morning.
James said he saw a low temperature of 48 degrees Wednesday at his Kula residence, which is at the 3,000-foot elevation.
