A high-surf warning is in effect for north- and west-facing shores of Oahu, Kauai, Niihau and Molokai and for north-facing shores of Maui until 6 a.m. tomorrow.
Ke Iki beach near the surf spot Log Cabins, about 200 yards west of Rockpile on Oahu, has been closed to swimmers, said Bryan Cheplic, spokesman for the city Emergency Services Department, and the public is being advised to stay off the beach. Lifeguards have put up yellow caution tape at Ke Iki, where waves at 15- to 20-foot face values were seen this morning, Cheplic said. He said waves were coming in at a northerly angle and because of the size of the surf, many breaks were not that rideable.
At midday, surfers at Waimea Bay were reporting waves of about 17 feet with a big crowd in the water looking for the best waves.
There were plenty of onlookers, but it wasn't overly crowded on the beach.
Traffic was moving along on Kamehameha Highway, though the line of cars slowed at Waimea Bay.

The National Weather Service in Honolulu said a large northwest swell will build this morning and peak later today and tonight. Surf along those shore lines will peak at warning levels today and then fall to advisory levels tomorrow and Friday.
The weather service said surf today will increase to heights of 20 feet to 30 feet along north-facing shores of Oahu, Kauai, Niihau, Molokai and Maui. Surf will increase to heights of 14 feet to 20 feet along west-facing shores of Oahu, Kauai, Niihau and Molokai. Surf will gradually diminish tomorrow into Friday.
Meanwhile, the Ocean Safety Bureau of the Kauai Fire Department is reporting high surf and 25-foot waves are causing hazardous conditions on the North Shore, from Hanalei pier and heading west.

Residents and visitors are being asked to stay out of the water for swimming or snorkeling for the time being.

For more information on daily ocean conditions, visit www.kauaiexplorer.com.