The Maui News

Maui County ocean safety officers rescued a snorkeler caught in a rip current and three people aboard a capsized jet ski Thursday during a second day of high surf from an extra-large northwest swell.

In West Maui, an ocean safety safety officer aboard rescue watercraft from D.T. Fleming Beach Park was dispatched to Napili Bay at 10:49 a.m. and brought to shore a snorkeler in distress due to a strong rip current caused by the surf, the county said Thursday evening.

Another ocean safety officer aboard a rescue watercraft launched from Kanaha Beach Park at 11:30 a.m. to pick up three people who were on a jet ski that capsized and was sinking in 12- to 15-foot surf in the outer reef fronting the lifeguard tower. After the three were taken to shore, the ocean safety officer went back out and was able to recover the jet ski and the riders’ belongings. The state Department of Land and Natural Resources was also on scene.

Ocean safety officers made assists and contacs throughout the day as the swell tracked to a more northerly direction and made the high surf more consistent, the Maui Fire Department said.

The swell is expected to gradually ease today, according to the National Weather Service.

A high surf warning remains in effect through 6 a.m. today for north- and west-facing shores of Molokai and north-facing shores of Maui, while a lower-level high surf advisory is still in effect through 6 a.m. today for west-facing shores of Maui.

On Thursday, the state Department of Health issued a brown water advisory for Maui from Waihee to Maliko and from Honolua Bay to Wahikuli Beach Park, after extremely high surf sent coastal waters into foliage and other areas above the normal high-water mark.

The department advised the public to stay out of coastal waters that appear brown due to possible runoff containing chemicals, pathogens, animal fecal matter and debris.

For updates on the brown water advisory, visit eha-cloud.doh.hawaii.gov/cwb#!/event/1585/details/view.