Warning-level surf closes beach parks

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KAILUA-KONA — Several West Hawaii beaches were closed Thursday amid warning-level surf warning that pounded the Kona Coast.

KAILUA-KONA — Several West Hawaii beaches were closed Thursday amid warning-level surf warning that pounded the Kona Coast.

The surf, fueled by a large northwest swell that spread down the island chain, gradually diminished Thursday, prompting the National Weather Service in Honolulu to downgrade the warning to an advisory, which remains in effect until 6 a.m. today.

Wave heights of 6 to 10 feet were forecast overnight for west-facing shores off the Kona Coast.

On Thursday, Hawaii County Civil Defense closed Kahaluu Beach Park and Laaloa Beach Park, also known as Magic Sands, in Kailua-Kona, and Kaunaoa Bay at Mauna Kea Beach Hotel in South Kohala until further notice. The state Department of Land and Natural Resources has also closed Kua Bay, also known as the Maniniowali section of Kekaha Kai State Park, in North Kona.