A high surf advisory is in effect through 6 a.m. Saturday as a west-northwest swell passes through the islands and elevates surf.

Waves could reach 12 to 20 feet along north-facing shores of Molokai and Maui and 12 to 16 feet along west-facing shores of Molokai, according to the National Weather Service.

The surf was expected to rise Thursday night and decline this evening.

Impacts may include strong breaking waves and strong currents that could make swimming dangerous, the weather service warned.