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January 22, 2014 Contact: John M Cummings III, Public Information Officer - 808-723-8938   High surf hazard continues for Oahu   Honolulu — The long duration hazardous high surf anticipated by the National Weather Service began impacting Oahu this morning.  Surf along north and west shores remain hazardous to swimmers, beach goers and residents living on the shoreline.   As of noon today all coastal roads were open and passable.  Waimea Bay will remain closed today as Ocean Safety lifeguards have reported that the surf has run up onto the beach and into the parking lot and has undermined several large trees.  The closure at Waimea Bay will likely extend through Thursday.   The National Weather Service advised the Department of Emergency Management that the largest swells are building and impacting now.  Those effects will continue throughout the afternoon and extend into the next rising tide later this evening.  No significant change in the swell has been seen and high wave heights are still expected to reach the 40-50 foot range on the North Shore.   Meanwhile, lifeguards at Makaha reported wave heights in the 12-15 foot range and that Waianae Boat Harbor is impassable at this time. Lifeguards also reported that Haleiwa Boat Harbor and Ali'i Beach Park are also closed.   Residents and visitors transiting along coastal roads and highways should be careful of sand and seawater that may wash across the road.  All beachgoers along affected shorelines need to exercise extreme caution, do not enter the water or go near the ocean and heed all warnings from Ocean Safety Lifeguards and emergency personnel.  If you have a high surf related emergency call 9-1-1 immediately.   To receive emergency information by email or cell phone text message from the Department of Emergency Management, Honolulu Police Department and the Board of Water Supply sign up for Nixle alerts at www.nixle.com/dem.   -END-