Hawaii, 1997

High Surf in Hawaii, September 23 to 25, 1997

September 23 to 25, 1997 · NWS HFO · 6 events in 6 counties and zones

An intense storm that was originally Typhoon David moved across the north Pacific near the Aleutian Islands and generated swell that produced surf of 15 to 20 feet along the north shores of the islands. This was the first large surf of the season for the north shores.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 4 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.

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  • Marine and coastal
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The toll

Deaths
0
Injuries
0
Property damage
None recorded
Crop damage
None recorded
Events
6

Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.

What happened

The episode as NWS HFO wrote it up.

An intense storm that was originally Typhoon David moved across the north Pacific near the Aleutian Islands and generated swell that produced surf of 15 to 20 feet along the north shores of the islands. This was the first large surf of the season for the north shores. Over 30 surfers, bodyboarders, and swimmers were rescued from Sunset Beach and Waimea Bay on Oahu. Public beach parks were closed along Oahu's North Shore, and at Yokohama Bay on the Leeward Coast. Surf of 8 to 12 feet occurred along the west shores, but decreased to heights below 10 feet by 6 p.m. on the 24th as the northwest swell became more northerly.

The radar

The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

6 high surf. Local standard time, as filed.

High Surf, Island of Hawaii

When
September 23, 8:00 AM HST to September 25, 3:30 PM HST
Where
Island of Hawaii forecast zone
Coordinates
22.011, -159.705 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Surf, Kauai

When
September 23, 8:00 AM HST to September 25, 3:30 PM HST
Where
Kauai forecast zone
Coordinates
22.011, -159.705 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Surf, Lanai

When
September 23, 8:00 AM HST to September 25, 3:30 PM HST
Where
Lanai forecast zone
Coordinates
21.455, -157.961 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Surf, Maui

When
September 23, 8:00 AM HST to September 25, 3:30 PM HST
Where
Maui forecast zone
Coordinates
22.011, -159.705 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Surf, Molokai

When
September 23, 8:00 AM HST to September 25, 3:30 PM HST
Where
Molokai forecast zone

High Surf, Oahu

When
September 23, 8:00 AM HST to September 25, 3:30 PM HST
Where
Oahu forecast zone

What these are

High Surf
Large waves breaking on the shore that caused damage, erosion or casualties.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

More

Every storm in Hawaii in 1997Every state in 1997This day in weather historyWarnings in Hawaii, September 1997

Sources

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 5626693, 5626694, 5626695, 5626696, 5626697, 5626698.