UPDATE: Tsunami advisory is canceled, County of Hawaiʻi to open beach parks, all roads

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 and the shelters closed at 7 a.m. today (July 30).

The County of Hawaiʻi is currently reopening county beach parks and all roads are open and cleared of debris.  

County officials request that the public to continue to exercise caution in and near the water. The earthquake added an enormous amount of energy to the ocean, which has produced strong and unusual currents near the shore and in harbors.  

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.

Residents and business operators returning to their properties are advised to take pictures and document damage before cleanup and to contact the insurer of the property. Damages reports can be submitted to Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense through the website or over the phone at (808) 935-0031.

Update at 8:25 a.m. July 30, 2025: A tsunami advisory remains in place for the island and state of Hawaiʻi, according to the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center.

All beaches and low-lying coastal areas are at risk and remain closed until the coastal waters are safe. All shelters are now closed.

To report any property damage caused by the tsunami, call Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense at 808-935-0031.

Update at 11:34 p.m. July 29, 2025: Hawaiʻi County canceled evacuation orders for coastal areas after officials assessed areas in tsunami inundation zones. It follows the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center’s downgrading of the tsunami warning, which had been in effect for most of the day for the Hawaiian islands, to a tsunami advisory.

Residents are asked, however, to exercise caution and stay out of the water, as coastal areas continue to be hazardous.

Emergency shelters will remain open until 7 a.m. at the following locations:

• Puʻuʻeo Community Center, 145 Wainaku St., Hilo.
• Panaʻewa Park, 100 Ohuohu St., Hilo.
• Keaʻau Armory, 16-512 Volcano Road, Keaʻau.
• Pāhoa Neighborhood Facility, 15-2910 Kauhale St., Pāhoa.
• Kaʻū District Gym, 96-1219 Kamani St., Pāhala.
• Nāʻālehu Community Center, 95-5635 Hawaiʻi Belt Road, Nāʻālehu.
• Yano Hall, 82-6156 Māmalahoa Highway, Captain Cook.
• Kealakehe High School Gym, 74-5000 Puʻohulihuli St., Kailua-Kona.
• Waimea Community Center, 65-1260 Kawaihae Road, Waimea.
• Waikōloa Elementary School cafeteria, 68-1730 Hoʻokō St., Waikōloa.

County beach parks remain closed.

Residents returning to their homes are advised to:

• Take pictures to document damage before starting cleanup and repairs. Contact your insurer.
• Stay away from damaged buildings or infrastructure.
• Submit damage reports for your property at the Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense website or by calling 808-935-0031.

Update at 11:07 p.m. July 29, 2025: Pacific Tsunami Warning Center forecasters report a major tsunami is no longer expected for Hawai‘i.

However, tsunami waves that can be a hazard to swimmers and boaters, as well as people near shorelines and in harbors and marinas are now affecting the state, so they downgraded the warning issued earlier today to a tsunami advisory.

The advisory will remain in effect until further notice as the threat could continue for several hours even now that major tsunami waves are no longer expected from the massive magnitude-8.8 earthquake off the east coast of Russia earlier Tuesday afternoon that generated the Pacific Ocean-wide tsunami.

The largest tsunami waves recorded after the tsunami waves reached the main Hawaiian Islands as of 7:10 p.m. at Hanalei as reported by the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Honolulu, measured relative to normal sea level not crest to trough, were:

• 5.7 feet amplitude at 8:09 p.m. at Kahului, Maui.
• 4.9 feet amplitude at 8:32 p.m. at Hilo.
• 3.9 feet amplitude at 7:48 p.m. at Hanalei, Kaua’i.

Hawai‘i County Mayor Kimo Alameda reported that tsunami wave waters in Hilo did flood the parking lot at Coconut Island, a portion of SCP Hilo Hotel near Reed’s Bay Beach Park, parts of iconic Banyan Drive and portions of the Keaukaha community.

Video on social media also shows SCP Hilo Hotel front area flooded..

Alameda said now that the warning was downgraded to an advisory, first responders are headed to those areas to survey damages and other issues.

Hawai‘i County Civil Defense Administrator Talmadge Magno added that some buildings in those areas could have sustained damage.

Otherwise, it didn’t seem as though any major damage was reported.

Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said additional messages will be issued hourly or sooner as conditions warrant until the threat to the islands passes.

Forecasters continue to monitor the situation closely. The tsunami advisory will end when the hazard passes.

Update at 9:32 p.m. July 29, 2025: Hawai‘i County Emergency personnel continue to monitor conditions as a tsunami warning continues for the state.

“All 11 shelters are open and we have about 1,500 folks are at the shelters as we speak,” said Hawai‘i County Mayor Kimo Alameda, adding officials are waiting for about three to four more what he called “waves of insignificance” before they “can call this [tsunami warning] off.”

“Stay vigilant, watch social media, the TV and radio and do not return to areas of inundation,” the mayor said. “Please stay safe.”

Hawai‘i County Civil Defense said in its 9:10 p.m. update that tsunami waves are impacting the Big Island and state.

The height and duration of tsunami waves, however, cannot be easily determined.

“It is not safe to enter the tsunami evacuation zone at this time,” the county’s emergency agency said. “Please be patient while the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center evaluates the situation. Thank you. You will be informed as conditions change.”

Hawai‘i County Civil Defense Administrator Talmadge Magno said that Hawai‘i Island has not seen any changes in water levels since the first wave was expected to arrive at 7:17 p.m.

However, he said it will be a few hours before the energy of the magnitude-8.8 earthquake that struck just before 1:30 p.m. today off the east coast of Russia that generated the tsunami passes completely.

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:

• 5.7 feet amplitude at Kahului, Maui.
• 4.9 feet amplitude at Hilo.
• 3.9 feet amplitude at Hanalei, Kaua’i.

That 4.9-foot wave might have been responsible for what caused the parking lot at Coconut Island in Hilo to flood.

However, there has not been any major coastal flooding so far from the tsunami wavees so far, but again, forecasters and emergency officials warn the public to not get complacent and remain cautious because danger still exists.

Update at 7:50 p.m. July 29, 2025: The estimated time of arrival of the first wave has come and past with no impacts from an anticipated tsunami seen by forecasters yet.

Hawai‘i County Civil Defense Administrator Talmadge Magno said that Hawai‘i Island has not seen any changes in water levels since the first wave was expected to arrive at 7:17 p.m.

However, he said it will be a few hours before the energy of the magnitude-8.8 earthquake that struck just before 1:30 p.m. today off the east coast of Russia that generated the tsunami passes completely.

Emergency personnel continue to monitor the situation.

Magno said the water has receded and rose a few times on the Nawiliwili side of Kaua‘i, where the first wave was expected to arrive by 7:10 p.m.

A live view from a camera looking at Hanalei Bay on the North Shore of Kaua‘i 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.

So 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.

“Be advised that wave heights cannot be predicted and the danger period of destructive waves could last for several hours after the initial arrival time,” Hawai‘i County Civil Defense said in a 6:43 p.m. update. 

All evacuations must be completed at this time.

Hawai‘i Police Department secured all coastal areas around the Big Island. Entry is prohibited until danger has passed.

Boaters who evacuated offshore are not to risk coming in until the “All Clear” notification is issued for your area.

The public should continue to comply with instructions from local authorities.

Keep telephone usage to essential use only. Do not endanger lives by causing unnecessary traffic congestion.

Updates will be provided as conditions change.

A tsunami in 2011 was the last time the Hawaiian Islands were impacted by a tsunami.

That event was generated by a magnitude-9.0 earthquake off the northeastern coast of Honshu, Japan, and generated a devasting tsunami which caused extensive damage to private and public property in Kailua-Kona, especially along Ali‘i Drive.

Update at 5:39 p.m. July 29. 2025: Hawaiʻi County ordered the evacuation of all tsunami inundation zones as a result of the tsunami warning issued for the Hawaiian Islands.

The first tsunami wave is expected to arrive at Big Island coasts about 7:17 p.m. today.

County officials are telling the public to leave all coastal innundation zones around the island no later than 6:15 p.m.

Click here to find out whether you are in a tsunami zone.

An earthquake with an estimated magnitude of 8.8 happened at 1:25 p.m. today off the east coast of Kamchatka, Russia. Evidence of a tsunami was recorded in the western Pacific Ocean.

Evacuation shelters also have been opened for those who need their services. County emergency officials also offered the public several tsunami safety tips.

If you are outside the tsunami evacuation zone, you are safe. Residents and others outside the evacuation zones should stay off roads to help alleviate traffic congestion.

Visit the Hawaiʻi County Hazard Impact Map for additional information.

All Young Brothers ports throughout the state also are closed until further notice.

“The safety of our employees, equipment and your cargo are our priority,” the shipping company said in a statement Tuesday afternoon.

Young Brothers was securing cargo, equipment and facilities to minimize potential damage and will continue to closely monitor ocean conditions while coordinating with federal, state and local partners.

Updated information to changes of statewide operations will be sent via email, posted on our website and through the shipping company’s social media channels.

Young Brothers encourages its customers to sign up for email notifications at its website.

Update at 2:50 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 Big Island Now for additional information to be published shortly.

Update at 2:34 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 1:59 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.