Hurricane Lowell generates massive 20-foot swells on Oahu’s south shore

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - Massive, messy swells generated by Hurricane Lowell battered Oʻahu’s south shore Monday, drawing out experienced surfers and prompting warnings from emergency officials.

Wave heights were projected to reach 12 to 20 feet as the storm system moved closer. While conditions were rapidly deteriorating, some seasoned wave riders still chose to test their skills in the turbulent waters.

One experienced surfer described the ocean conditions as “big and messy, but still lots of fun.”

Conditions turned chaotic at Point Panic

Conditions were equally rough at Point Panic in Kakaʻako, where gusty winds and heavy rain turned the ocean chaotic. Despite the stormy weather, several bodyboarders and surfers gathered at their local break.

“I decided to go out with my brothers, and no one knows how water is like us,” a local expert said, noting that they grew up surfing Point Panic daily. “Nobody knows the waters like us. We came out because we figured there was going to be a lot of people out there today, and there wasn’t.”

Lifeguards ramped up south shore patrols

In response to the dangerous conditions, Honolulu Ocean Safety ramped up its presence, deploying extra lifeguards on jet skis throughout Oʻahu’s south and west shores. Crews actively patrolled the lineups to monitor surfers navigating the heavy waves and rocky shores.

Lifeguards and city officials urged the public to use extreme caution. While experienced surfers navigated the swell, authorities reiterated that anyone unfamiliar with these waters or lacking advanced experience should stay out of the ocean.