High Surf — Lanai, Hawaii

2003-01-02 to 2003-01-07 · Lanai, Hawaii

Wider weather episode

A powerful storm low northwest of Hawaii generated surf of 15 to 30 feet along the northwest-facing shores of all the islands. One man, visiting Hookena Beach in the South Kona District on the Big Island of Hawaii, drowned as he was pulled out to sea by a strong current caused by the high surf on the 5th. A 20 year-old man from Switzerland suffered lacerations while boogie boarding in the high surf near The Pines in North Kona on the 6th of January. No other serious injuries were reported.Some damage occurred along beaches and beach-front properties, especially on the west side of the Big Island and the North Shore of Oahu. However, no damage estimates were available.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 5328123. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.