LIHU‘E — The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center has canceled its tsunami warning for Hawaii, with the state apparently escaping the roiling waves unscathed. Kauai police have reopened all roads. There have been no reports of damages on Kaua’i as a
LIHU‘E — The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center has canceled its tsunami warning for Hawaii, with the state apparently escaping the roiling waves unscathed. Kauai police have reopened all roads.
There have been no reports of damages on Kaua’i as a result of the tsunami, a county news release says. Traffic is heavy, but flowing normally.
The tsunami reached Kaua’i after noon, generating waves less than a foot in height.
Gov. Linda Lingle says no damage has been reported in any county. Tidal surges were observed Saturday along the coasts but did not roar ashore. She’s calling it “a great day now that it’s over.”
Visitors who missed their flights as a result of the tsunami are advised to contact the airlines and rebook their flights before going to the airport, the release says.
An official at the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center says Hawaii “dodged a bullet” after a major earthquake sent powerful waves roiling around the Pacific.
Gerard Fryer, a geophysist for the tsunami center, defended the decision to urge evacuations of coastal areas, saying “better safe than sorry.”
The tsunami began affecting Hilo Bay on the Big Island just before noon local time. Water began pulling away from shore, exposing reefs and sending dark streaks of muddy, sandy water offshore. That is usually an indication of the wave building strength before coming ashore.
The tsunami raced across the Pacific Ocean in terrifying force after the magnitude-8.8 quake hit Chile. Officials in Hawaii had ample time to get people out of the potential disaster area, and thousands were evacuated.
Starting at 9:30 a.m., Kauai police set up roadblocks and only vehicles heading for higher ground will be allowed to travel on coastal roads, a county news release states.
The county earlier this morning urged all people in tsunami inundation zones to evacuate immediately.
Tsunami waves were predicted to arrive on Kaua‘i at approximately 11:45 a.m.
By 5:30 a.m. on Kauai, vehicles were forming lines at gas stations, residents were standing with empty carts waiting for grocery stores to open and some businesses had closed due to the tsunami warning.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center issued the warning — its highest alert — for Hawaii, where incoming waves could cause damage along the coastlines across the island chain. A warning was also in effect for Guam, American Samoa and dozens of other Pacific islands.
State Civil Defense sounded the sirens at 6 this morning to alert the public about a tsunami that could cause damage to all coastal areas of the islands.
The sirens were activated every hour on the hour until the warning was canceled just before 2 p.m.
The Civil Air Patrol was flying along coastal areas to warn those in remote areas about the tsunami.
The following emergency shelters were set to be open at 11:45 a.m.: Waimea, Kaumakani, Koloa, Lihu’e and Kilauea neighborhood centers; and Kapa‘a High School, according to a county news release.
The Kaua’i Bus cancelled several routes including: the 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Route 100, Kekaha to Lihu’e; 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., Route 200, Lihu’e to Kekaha; 10:15 a.m. and 12:15 p.m., Route 400, Hanalei to Lihu’e; 10:25 a.m. and 12:25 p.m., Route 500, Lihu’e to Hanalei; 12:33 p.m., Route 60, Kapahi; 9:20 am and 1:20 pm, Route 300, Koloa/Po’ipu.
In addition, the bus stop at the Garden Island Inn and the one across street from the Garden Island Inn will be closed from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The following facilities are closed: Kaua‘i Resource Center, Wailua Golf Course, Hanapepe transfer station and the Kekaha Landfill.
All state Department of Education and KIF athletic events are canceled along with public libraries.
NOAA’s whale count was also canceled due to the tsunami warning. Rescheduling dates will be announced later, a release states.
First Hawaiian Bank branches are closed due to the warning, a news release says.
The Wailua-Kapaa Neighborhood Association meeting is canceled, a news release says. It will be rescheduled for 2 p.m., March 27, at the Kapaa Library.
Most retail outlets are reportedly open, including Walmart, Kmart and Costco.
Kaua‘i’s Emergency Operations Center has been fully activated and officials are taking action to prepare for a possible tsunami.
Stay tuned to a local radio station for further information and instructions.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
