City officials yesterday closed Hanauma Bay Beach Park for the day because of a high number of box jellyfish stings.

They will decide today whether to keep the bay closed.

Eighteen stings were reported at the popular snorkeling area yesterday morning, officials said.

On Wednesday, hundreds of the stinging sea creatures were removed from the Waikiki Beach area.

While yesterday's influx was milder, it resulted in an "unusually high number of stings" at Hanauma Bay, said Bryan Cheplic, spokesman for city Emergency Services Department. For ocean-related conditions, including jellyfish updates, call 922-3888, ext. 51.