(BIVN) – Hurricane Lane, passing 230 miles to the south of Hawaii Island’s Ka Lae (South Point), generated big waves on Wednesday, triggering a High Surf Warning for south-facing shores.

In Kaʻū, the popular beach parks of Punaluʻu and Honuʻapo (Whittington) were the first closures announced in advance of Lane.

15 to 25 ft. wave heights were forecast along the Kaʻū and Puna coast. Surf along the Kona coast will quickly rise to 8 to 12 ft with locally higher waves possible through the day Thursday.

“Life-threatening surf is expected along exposed south facing shores of all Hawaiian Islands through the second half of the week as Hurricane Lane approaches and moves through the area,” the National Weather Service said. “In addition to the surf, rising water levels due to storm surge will be possible, especially as Lane nears the smaller islands Thursday through Friday. Inundation over vulnerable low-lying coastal areas due to a combination of surge and surf will be possible, especially around the normal high tide cycles.”