UPDATE: Tsunami advisory canceled for state of Hawaiʻi

Update at 9 a.m. July 30, 2025: The tsunami advisory has been canceled statewide, according to the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center.

An all clear was issued at 11:15 p.m. yesterday (July 29) for coastal evacuation zones. All road closures are lifted and the County of Kauaʻi is in the process of reopening all roadways. All County campgrounds and parks have reopened and are operating on their regular schedule.

The county will maintain shelter operations at the Kaua’i Veterans Center for displaced visitors only. Operations will conclude sometime today.

Across all tsunami refuge areas, more than 1,800 individuals sought shelter. Approximately 150 visitors remained overnight at the Kaua’i Veterans Center.

County officials advise that small sea level changes and strong or unusual currents may persist for several additional hours in some coastal areas. Continue to exercise caution in coastal areas including beaches, docks, piers, harbor areas or rivers, and streams subject to tidal surges..

The Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation reported no damage to state highways and have opened all port gates.

Airports have resumed operations, however, there may be delays and passengers are urged to check their flight schedule before going to the airport.

Update at 4 a.m. July 30, 2025: The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center has continued the Tsunami Advisory for Kaua‘i with sea level oscillations across the state of Hawaiʻi still at advisory levels.

Tsunami waves continue to affect the state. They can be hazardous to swimmers and boaters, and to people near the shore at beaches and in harbors. This hazard could continue for several hours, according to the center.

Update at 10:39 p.m. July 29, 2025: The Tsunami Warning for the County of Kaua‘i has been downgraded to a Tsunami Advisory by the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center.

Based on all available data, a tsunami is not expected to strike the State of Hawai’i. However, sea level changes and strong currents may occur along all coasts that could be a hazard to swimmers and boaters as well as to persons near the shore at beaches and in harbors and marinas, according to a Kaua‘i County news release.

The threat may continue for several hours.

While the warning has been downgraded, officials advise the public not to return to tsunami zone areas.

The County of Kaua’i is conducting a sweep of coastal areas to ensure that it is safe to return before the county issues the all-clear notice. Once the all clear is issued, roads and highways will be reopened.

Update at 8:38 p.m. July 29, 2025: Estimated time of arrival for the first wave has come and past with no impacts from an anticipated tsunami seen and no massive long ocean breakers crashing onto Garden Isle shores.

Kaua‘i County Emergency Management warns: The tsunami warning is still in effect. DO NOT return to the area from which you evacuated or tsunami inundation areas. The threat is still active.

The largest tsunami waves recorded so far as reported by the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Honolulu, measured relative to normal sea level not crest to trough, have been:

• 4 feet amplitude at Kahului, Maui.
• 4 feet amplitude at Hale‘iwa, O’ahu.
• 3 feet amplitude at Hanalei, Kaua’i.

A live view from a camera looking at Hanalei Bay showed what appeared to be some typical tsunami activity shortly before 8 p.m., with water receding from the shoreline, exposing the seafloor before rushing back in, but nothing destructive was seen or reported.

It was still relatively minor activity. Forecasters said there were still hours ahead for the event.

They and emergency officials were quick to remind that tsunami are not just one-wave events, and while the first few waves might have been on the small or minor size, subsequent waves could be larger and even destructive.

Kaua‘i County officials warn that if more waves occur, they will be about 20 to 30 minutes later than the one before: “Do not be complacent,” they warned the public in an update at 8 p.m.

The islands are definitely not out of danger. Pacific Tsunami Warning Center forecasters said it might not be until Wednesday morning until the tsunami warning can be canceled.

Update at 7:09 p.m. July 29, 2025: An emergency proclamation has been issued by Kauaʻi County Mayor Derek Kawakami in advance of the anticipated arrival of a tsunami wave, with the first wave expected to arrive basically now, by 7:10 p.m., at Hanalei on the Garden Isle’s North Shore.

The message from emergency officials now: Get to higher ground now if you haven’t already.

Kaua‘i County has activated its Emergency Operations Center to Level 1, full activation.

All emergency support function have been activated.

“This is a very serious event,” Hawai’i Gov. Josh Green said during a news conference earlier this evening. “Please do not put yourself in harm’s way.”

When the wave arrived shortly before 6:30 p.m. at Midway Atoll in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, it was 6 feet from peak to crest, or 3 feet from ocean surface to top, according to the governor at the beginning of the conference.

But he reiterated that the long ocean waves are much more powerful than normal waves. Those that strike the islands also could be larger or smaller.

Pacific Tsunami Warning Center forecasters said tsunami wave heights cannot be predicted, and the first wave might not be the largest.

Officials also remind the public that tsunami waves efficiently wrap around islands, so all islands and all coastlines are at risk no matter which direction they face.

Several bridges have been closed around the island, several evacuation/shelter areas are open for those who need them and commercial vessels have been ordered by the U.S. Coast Guard to evacuate from the state’s harbors.

Update at 4:08 p.m. July 29, 2025: The estimated arrival time of an aniticpated tsunami wave has been moved up slightly to 7:10 p.m. at Hanalei on Kaua‘i’s North Shore.

The warning sirens were sounded to alert the public because of the tsunami warning and to alert the public about possible flooding inundation zones.

Kaua‘i Police Department shut down the westbound side going across Hanalei Bridge; however, the eastbound lane remains open for evacuation.

Officials advise the public to stay off the road if at all possible.

Pacific Tsunami Warning Center forecasters in Honolulu issued the tsunami warning after determining a tsunami was generated by a massive magnitude-8.8 earthquake that struck just before 1:30 p.m. today about 78 miles east-southeast from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, Russia, at a depth of about 11 miles.

Officials advise residents and visitors prepare and complete evacuations by 5 p.m. at the latest. Do not call 9-1-1 unless you have an emergency.

A series of powerful waves and strong currents could impact coasts near you. You are in danger. Get away from coastal waters.

Kaua‘i County Department of Parks and Recreation advise all members of the public to evacuate county campgrounds and beach parks.

Additionally, all county services were closed shortly after the tsunami warning was issued.

Pacific Tsunami Warning Center forecasters determined shortly before 3 p.m. that a tsunami was generated that could cause damage along coastlines of all Hawaiian Islands.

Urgent action should be taken to protect lives and property.

The wave crest of each individual wave in the series of long ocean waves that forms a tsunami can last 5 to 10 minutes or more and extensively flood coastal areas.

Danger can continue for many hours after the initial wave as subsequent waves arrive.

Wave heights also cannot be predicted, and the first wave might not be the largest.

Tsunami waves efficiently wrap around islands, so all islands are at risk no matter which direction they face.

The trough of a tsunami could temporarily expose the seafloor, but the area will quickly flood again.

Extremely strong and unusual nearshore currents also can accompany a tsunami. Debris picked up and carried by a tsunami amplifies its destructive power as well.

Simultaneous high tides or high surf can significantly increase the tsunami hazard.

Update at 2:53 p.m. July 29, 2025: Hawai‘i is now under a tsunami warning.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center issued the warning at 2:43 p.m. today after a massive magnitude-8.7 earthquake struck just before 1:30 p.m. today about 78 miles east-southeast from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, Russia, at a depth of about 11 miles.

Keep an eye on Kaua‘i Now for additional information to be published shortly.

Update at 2:42 p.m. July 29, 2025: Pacific Tsunami Warning Center forecasters report the tsunami watch in effect for Hawai’i will continue until further notice as they continue to investigate if a destructive tsunami wave is headed toward the islands.

The size of the earthquake, which struck just before 1:30 p.m. today about 78 miles east-southeast from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, Russia, at a depth of about 11 miles, was also upgraded to a massive magnitude-8.7.

It was originally reported as magnitude-8.0.

The earliest estimated arrival time of any destructive tsunami wave, if determined to be headed to the islands, continues to be 7:17 p.m. today.

Original post at 2:11 p.m. July 29, 2025: A tsunami watch has been issued for the Hawaiian Islands after a magnitude-8.0 earthquake struck off the east coast of Kamchatka, Russia, shortly before 1:30 p.m. today.

The National Weather Service Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Honolulu says based on all available data, a tsunami wave could have been generated by the earthquake that could be destructive to coastal areas even far away from the quake’s epicenter.

Forecasters are investigating now to determine if there is a tsunami threat to Hawai‘i, which is why the watch was issued.

If a tsunami is determined to be headed toward the islands, the estimated earliest time of arrival is 7:17 p.m. today.

Additional messages will be issued hourly or sooner as conditions warrant until the threat passes.

Residents and visitors are urged to monitor local media for updates.

Visit the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center’s website for more information about the tsunami watch

There are no road closures at this time. Call 808-241-1725 for updates about road conditions and closures.

Do not call Kaua‘i police or 9-1-1 unless you have an emergency.

Call the National Weather Service automated weather line at 808-245-6001 or visit the National Weather Service Honolulu forecast office website for weather updates.

Visit Kaua‘i Emergency Management Agency on the Web to sign up for the county’s Wireless Emergency Notification System.

You can also call Kaua‘i Emergency Management at 808-241-1800.