By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2026-06-20 00:37:25 | Updated at 2026-06-22 10:04:30
2 days ago
A gargantuan wall of water unleashed by powerful Pacific swells exploded over the roof of a two-story beachfront condominium complex in Hawaii causing major devastation.
Extraordinary footage captured the moment the massive wave crashed on top of the oceanfront Keauhou-Kona Surf and Racquet Club on the Big Island on Sunday.
The wall of water surged over the entire structure before cascading down the opposite side like a waterfall, ripping away roof tiles and sending stunned onlookers fleeing.
Witnesses could be heard gasping and shouting in shock as the enormous swell rose above the building's roofline before detonating against the structure and engulfing it in a cloud of white spray.
'It was shocking to see the waves coming over top of the building,' Elizabeth Cano, who filmed the dramatic scene, told ABC7.
'But it's not the first time this has happened at this same condo from a large south swell.'
The jaw-dropping incident came as forecasters warned of dangerous ocean conditions across Hawaii's southern shorelines.
The National Weather Service had initially issued a High Surf Advisory for the region before escalating the alert to a more serious High Surf Warning as conditions deteriorated.
A towering wave surged completely over the roof of a two-story beachfront condominium complex on Hawaii's Big Island, ripping roof tiles from the structure
Witnesses screamed in disbelief as the massive swell slammed into the Keauhou-Kona Surf and Racquet Club before cascading off the roof like a waterfall
Elizabeth Cano, who filmed the dramatic scene, said it was not the first time large south swells had sent waves crashing over the same condominium complex
Meteorologists warned that a potent south-southwest swell colliding with seasonal King Tides could generate powerful currents and towering breaking waves reaching between ten and 15 feet.
Sunday's footage offered a vivid demonstration of those warnings.
As the wave barreled toward shore, it appears to dwarf the condominium complex before smashing into the seaward side of the building and surging clean over the roof.
The Keauhou-Kona Surf and Racquet Club is no stranger to the destructive power of the Pacific.
The same oceanfront complex made headlines in 2022 when huge swells generated in the aftermath of Hurricane Darby battered the property and sent seawater surging into nearby areas.
But even in a state accustomed to dramatic surf, Sunday's spectacle left viewers stunned.
Video footage showed seawater pouring off the condominium complex after the wave engulfed the structure
A golf cart sits amid floodwater as residents assess the aftermath of a massive wave that surged over the beachfront buildings
The footage quickly spread online, with many comparing the scene to a tsunami as the wave appeared to consume the entire building before retreating back toward the ocean.
Forecasters continue to urge residents and visitors to exercise extreme caution near exposed shorelines, warning that unexpectedly large waves can sweep people off rocks, flood coastal areas and cause significant property damage with little warning.
Keauhou-Kona Surf and Racquet Club is a gated vacation rental complex located around five miles from downtown Kona.
It offers large two and three bedroom condos and townhomes for around $350 per night.
