Hawaii Lifeguards Assist 28 in Ocean Rescues

June 7, 2013

High waves are keeping lifeguards busy.

The Honolulu Star-Advertiser reports City Ocean Safety Division workers assisted 28 people in ocean rescues Tuesday.

Department of Emergency Services spokeswoman Shayne Enright says they issued warnings about hazardous conditions to another 250 people.

National Weather Service meteorologist Derek Wroe says storms forming southeast of New Zealand typically send large swells toward Hawaii in June.

A high-surf advisory is in effect through 6 a.m. Thursday for south-facing shores of all islands.

Waves on Wednesday are forecast to reach 6 to 10 feet.

Ocean Safety operations chief Jim Howe says workers typically rescue seven people per week. He says the high surf and the large number of visitors in Waikiki factored into Tuesday’s higher rescue numbers.