NORTH SHORE, Hawaii -- Organizers on Monday called off the start of the Quiksilver in Memory of Eddie Aikau Surf Competition on Monday because of sloppy conditions at Waimea Bay.

Later in the morning, the surf became more defined and climbed to about 40-foot faces. Video: 40-Foot North Shore Surf

Forecasters with the National Weather Service said the waves should climb even higher by Tuesday.

Images: North Shore High Surf

Lifeguards made four rescues and warned hundreds of people to beware along the shoreline. One man was sent to the hospital in serious condition.

The Department of Land and Natural Resources closed the Keawaula portion of Kaena Point State Park

"We urge the public to respect this park closure and to not enter the park due to unsafe conditions from high surf," DLNR Chairwoman Laura Thielen said in a written statement.

Officials closed a number of beaches to swimmers including Laniakea and Rock Piles. Officials also closed Waimea Bay to spectators only, except for professional surfers practicing for the "Eddie."

Maui officials closed Baldwin and Hookipa beach parks because of dangerous surf conditions. Tow-in surfers took advantage of the conditions to tackle monster waves after getting towed in by watercraft at Jaws near Hookipa.

So far, Civil Defense officials said that aside from heavy traffic and parking problems from Paia to Haiku and East Maui, there have been no real problems in the water.

The Hawaii Red Cross kept three shelters open on Oahu.

Open Shelters:
Waianae District Park, 81-601 Farrington Hwy.
Queen Liliuokalani Church, 66-090 Kamehameha Hwy. Haleiwa
Sunset Beach Recreation Center 59-530 Kamehameha Hwy.