NORTH SHORE, Oahu, Hawaii -- Forecasters issued a high-surf warning for the north and west shores of nearly all the Hawaiian Islands. Big waves are pounding Kauai, Oahu, Molokai, and Maui.

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GALLERY IMAGES One of the most spectacular views was at Shark's Cove, where the big waves were slamming on to the rocks and cascading into huge explosions of white water.

The waves were generated by a storm far north of the islands. The air was heavy with salt spray.

Visitors admired the incredible power of the ocean and tried their best to capture it on their digital cameras. The view attracted many tourists.

"I've never seen anything like this. This is just incredible. It's beautiful," Houston tourist Kendall Coopmann said.

"We're here to see God's awesome power. We're amazed at the surf hitting the rocks, blowing the white water everywhere. These waves have got to be 30-feet high. Unbelievable," Houston visitor Debbie Coopmann said.

The biggest waves were about 20 feet on their face. The waves were expected to get as big as 30 to 35 feet by the evening.

At Sunset Beach, the water was choppy mess. Surfers weren't even bothering. At Waimea Bay a couple of surfers went out, but the conditions weren't very good there either.

Civil Defense officials plan to keep an eye on these waves overnight. High tide is scheduled to hit just about 2 a.m. Tuesday.

There have been no reports of damage. That may change with the arrival of high tide. Officials warned residents to be on the lookout for rising surf.