Officials urge public to get to higher ground

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 estimated to arrive in less than 20 minutes out, at 7:10 p.m., at Hanalei on the Garden Isle’s North Shore.

County emergency officials urge the public to make sure their evacuation is complete and they are on higher ground, sheltering in place. If not, they need to get there soon.

When the wave arrived 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 Hawaiʻi Gov. Josh Green at the beginning of his news conference at just after 6:23 p.m.

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.

“This is a very serious event,” the governor said. “Please do not put yourself in harm’s way.”

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.

Civil Air Patrol flew over Hāʻena to Kekaha earlier this afternoon to assist Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources in evacuating the coastline.

Officials advise the public to stay off the road if at all possible to alleviate any traffic congestion and make evacuation easier.

The following bridges were closed to all traffic as of 6:10 p.m. today:

• Kaumualiʻi Highway at Fort Elizabeth (Russian Fort).
• Kaumualiʻi Highway west of Lele Road junction.
• Kaumualiʻi Highway and Waialo Road junction.
• Traffic roundabout (Poʻipū Road).
• Ala Kinoiki Road and Weliweli Road junction.
• Nāwiliwili Road and Lala Road junction.
• Rice Street and Mōkoi Street junction.
• Kūhiō Highway and Kapule Highway junction.
• Kūhiō Highway and Kamole Road junction.
• Kūhiō Highway and Hanalei Plantation Road.
• Hanalei Bridge.

Evacuation/shelter areas are open:

• Kapaʻa High School, 4695 Māʻilihunā Road, Kapaʻa.
• Kapaʻa Middle School, 4867 Olohena Road, Kapaʻa.
• ʻEleʻele Elementary School, 4750 ʻUliʻuli Road, ʻEleʻele.
• Kōloa Library, 3451 Poʻipū Road, Kōloa.
• Kauaʻi Community College, 3-1901 Kaumualiʻi Highway, Līhuʻe.
• Kalāheo Neighborhood Center, 4480 Pāpālina Road, Kalāheo.
• Kīlauea Elementary School, 2440 Kolo Road, Kīlauea.
• Kaua’i Christian Fellowship, 2731 Ala Kinoiki, Poʻipū.
• Waimea High School, 9707 Tsuchiya Road, Waimea.

These evacuation/shelter areas will have parking and restroom facilities available.

If you are bring a pet, be sure to also have a kennel, food and water.

Do not call 9-1-1 unless you have an emergency.

U.S. Coast Guard also ordered the evacuation of commercial vessels from all commercial harbors in the Hawaiian Islands because of the incoming tsunami waves.

All harbors in Hawaiʻi have been closed to incoming vessel traffic.

Vessels transiting within the vicinity of the Hawaiian Islands or inbound to Hawaiʻi ports should remain offshore until conditions subside.