Tsunami Warning: Hawaii Orders Vessels Out of Ports as First Waves Expected

Tsunami Warning: A tsunami has hit the Kuril Islands and Hokkaido, Japan according to AP, just after an 8.8 magnitude earthquake hit Kamchatka, Russia this morning.

Evacuations are ordered for all major coastal areas of Oʻahu including parts of Honolulu.

"Take Action! Destructive tsunami waves are expected," Honolulu's Department of Emergency Management said on social media.

Tsunami sirens are blaring in Honolulu according to the Associated Press. Residents are to evacuate to higher ground or to at least the 4th floor of a building 10 stories or taller.

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A tsunami warning is the highest level of alert. It means a tsunami is either already happening or will hit the coast imminently. These are issued after powerful undersea earthquakes, usually 7.5 or higher, or when tsunami waves are confirmed on deep ocean sensors.

“When a tsunami warning is issued, evacuate all coastal and low-lying areas right away,” officials said. “You will hear sirens for three minutes in affected areas.”

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center says tsunami waves of 1 to 3 meters above tide are possible for some coasts of Hawaii and the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands.

First wave estimated to hit Hawaiʻi at 7:17 p.m. HST Tuesday, July 29, 2025.

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Motorists are reporting traffic congestion in various areas around Central Maui including Main Street in Wailuku and roads away from Kahului Harbor, as well as South Kihei Road and Piʻilani Highway in South Maui.

Maui Emergency Management Agency issued evacuations via sirens, Emergency Alert System, Wireless Emergency Alert, MEMA and Genasys Protect alerts to residents and visitors in Maui County tsunami evacuation zones at 3:22 p.m. today, July 29, 2025 after the National Weather Service (NWS) issued a statewide tsunami warning this afternoon. All individuals in coastal areas should move inland and to high ground now.

NWS issued a Tsunami Warning at 2:45 p.m. today, July 29, 2025 for the State of Hawaiʻi after an 8.7-magnitude earthquake was reported off the east coast of Kamchatka, Russia at a depth of 19.3 km. A warning means a tsunami has been generated that could affect all islands in the state and immediate action should be taken to protect lives and property.

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