Hawaii Tsunami Warning: New Updates You Must Know!

Liputan6.com, Jakarta In July 2025, the Hawaiian Islands faced a state of emergency after the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC) issued a tsunami warning following an 8.8 magnitude earthquake.

This powerful earthquake struck off the east coast of Kamchatka, Russia, sparking fears of large waves threatening the Pacific.

The warning caused sirens to sound throughout Honolulu and prompted authorities to call for evacuations in several coastal areas.

Thousands of residents and tourists were urged to immediately leave the danger zone and seek higher shelter in anticipation of the approaching tsunami waves.

Although initial waves reached the islands at significant heights, the warning was later downgraded to a tsunami advisory.

This decision was made after further evaluation indicated that a major tsunami threat was no longer expected, although coastal conditions remained hazardous for marine activities.

The tsunami warning for Hawaii in July 2025 stemmed from a powerful 8.8 magnitude earthquake.

The earthquake struck on July 29, 2025, at 1:25 PM HST (Hawaiian Standard Time), at latitude 52.2° north and longitude 160.0° east, off the east coast of Kamchatka, Russia.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC) immediately issued a tsunami warning for not only Hawaii but also Japan, the Philippines, and parts of Alaska in the United States.

The magnitude of the earthquake naturally raised global concern about the potential for destructive tsunami waves.

Initial reports from Sky News confirmed that tsunami warnings had been issued in multiple countries, indicating the broad scope of the threat.

This incident highlights the importance of early warning systems and international coordination in responding to natural disasters.

Following the warning, tsunami sirens sounded in Honolulu on Tuesday evening, local time, July 29, 2025.

Emergency departments immediately took action, calling for the evacuation of several coastal areas in preparation for a tsunami.

Hawaii Governor Josh Green urged residents to evacuate coastal areas and assessed potential flooding on all islands.

Widespread evacuation orders were issued, and emergency shelters were opened across Hawaii to accommodate displaced residents.

Preventive measures also included a call from the U.S. Coast Guard for all vessels to leave port before the tsunami's arrival.

The airport was temporarily closed for safety reasons, but later reopened after the situation was under control.

The Honolulu Department of Emergency Management advised residents in the most threatened areas to evacuate or seek shelter on the fourth floor of buildings with at least 10 stories.

The first tsunami waves are expected to reach Hawaii at 7:17 PM HST on Tuesday, July 29, 2025.

Initial waves began impacting the Hawaiian Islands shortly after 8:00 PM local time, with heights varying between 1 and 1.2 meters (3.3-3.9 feet) above normal sea level.

A gauge in Hanalei recorded a wave height of one meter above normal sea level, while a gauge in Haleiwa on Oahu's North Shore recorded a tsunami amplitude of 1.2 meters.

Later readings even reported waves as high as 1.7 meters above normal sea level in some locations.

Despite this, the PTWC stated that a major tsunami was not expected to hit the state of Hawaii.

The tsunami warning for the state was finally downgraded to a tsunami advisory on Wednesday morning, July 30, 2025.

Evacuation orders were lifted, and there were no reports of significant major damage, with Hawaii experiencing only minor flooding and small waves.

After the tsunami threat subsided, Hawaii emergency officials issued an "all-clear" in the afternoon, officially canceling the tsunami advisory.

Commercial ports reopened and flights at airports resumed as usual, signaling a return to normal activity.

Hawaii Governor Josh Green had previously activated Black Hawk helicopters and placed high-water vehicles on standby as part of emergency preparations.

This measure was taken to ensure the readiness of rescue operations if needed, demonstrating the high level of preparedness of the local government.

The public was advised to remain away from beaches, harbors, rivers, and low-lying areas for an extended period.

The HI-EMA website (ready.hawaii.gov) also provides information on tsunami evacuation zones and routes to higher ground, as part of long-term education and preparedness.

Although Hawaii has recovered, warnings remain in effect along the east coast of Japan and the southern islands, and a tsunami advisory for states on the U.S. West Coast remains in effect until Wednesday morning.