8:00pm UPDATE
TSUNAMI WARNING CONTINUES FOR HAWAI‘I – UPDATED INFORMATION
Issued: 8:00 PM HST, Tuesday, July 29, 2025
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC) reports that a Tsunami Warning remains in effect for the entire State of Hawai‘i. Tsunami waves are now impacting the islands following a powerful magnitude 8.8 earthquake that struck off the east coast of Kamchatka, Russia, at 1:25 PM HST.
Tsunami Wave Activity Detected
Tsunami wave activity has been observed at multiple locations in Hawai‘i and across the Pacific. Measurements include:
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Haleiwa, O‘ahu: 1.21 meters (4.0 ft)
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Hanalei, Kaua‘i: 0.90 meters (3.0 ft)
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Nawiliwili, Kaua‘i: 0.23 meters (0.8 ft)
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Midway Atoll: 0.96 meters (3.1 ft)
Additional wave activity has been recorded at locations in Japan, Guam, Saipan, and at multiple deep-ocean DART sensors. Note: Deep-ocean measurements are generally much smaller than the wave heights expected at the coast.
Current Impact and Ongoing Threat
Tsunami waves are striking coastal areas throughout Hawai‘i. Each wave crest can last from 5 to 15 minutes or more and may cause extensive flooding. The first waves may not be the largest, and dangerous conditions could continue for many more hours. Tsunami waves wrap around islands, meaning all shores are at risk, regardless of the direction they face.
Extremely strong and unusual nearshore currents are expected and may carry debris, amplifying the destructive power of the waves. Simultaneous high tides or high surf could significantly worsen the tsunami hazard.
Public Safety Advisory
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Move inland or to higher ground immediately if you are in a coastal area.
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Avoid beaches, harbors, and coastal areas until the official all-clear is issued.
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Expect strong and unpredictable currents in harbors and bays.
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Do not return to coastal areas until authorities declare it safe.
Further updates will be issued hourly or sooner as conditions warrant until the threat to Hawai‘i has passed.
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5:10pm UPDATE
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC) reports that a Tsunami Warning remains in effect for the entire State of Hawai‘i following a powerful magnitude 8.7 earthquake that struck off the east coast of Kamchatka, Russia, at 1:25 PM HST.
Tsunami Wave Activity Detected
Additional tsunami wave activity has now been recorded at several deep-ocean DART sensors and coastal gauges:
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Hanasaki, Hokkaido, Japan: 0.32 meters (1.0 ft)
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DART 46413: 0.19 meters (0.6 ft)
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Kushiro, Japan: 0.33 meters (1.1 ft)
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DART 21415: 0.20 meters (0.6 ft)
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DART 21414: 0.28 meters (0.9 ft)
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DART 21416: 0.90 meters (3.0 ft)
Note: Deep-ocean measurements are typically much smaller than the heights expected when waves reach coastal areas.
Estimated Arrival Time for Hawai‘i
The first tsunami waves are expected to arrive at approximately:
7:17 PM HST, Tuesday, July 29, 2025
What This Means for Hawai‘i
A tsunami could cause dangerous flooding and extremely strong currents along all coastlines in Hawai‘i. The first wave may not be the largest, and dangerous conditions can persist for many hours after the initial arrival. Tsunami waves wrap around islands, meaning all shores are at risk, regardless of their direction.
Public Safety Advisory
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Move inland or to higher ground if you are in a coastal area.
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Stay away from beaches, harbors, and coastal areas until the official all-clear is given.
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Avoid returning to coastal areas until it is declared safe by local authorities.
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Expect strong and unusual currents in harbors and bays.
Further updates will be issued hourly or sooner as conditions warrant.
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Tsunami Warning Remains in Effect for Hawaii Following Major Earthquake Near Russia
Honolulu, HI — 3:51 PM HST, Tuesday, July 29, 2025
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center has issued an updated tsunami warning for the entire state of Hawaii following a powerful undersea earthquake off the east coast of Kamchatka, Russia.
Earthquake Details:
- Time of Occurrence: 1:25 PM HST, July 29, 2025
- Location: 52.2°N, 160.0°E (off Kamchatka’s east coast)
- Magnitude: 8.7 (Moment magnitude scale)
Tsunami Activity:
Deep-ocean sensors (DART buoys) have detected tsunami wave activity:
- DART 21414: 0.9 ft wave at 1:03 UTC
- DART 21416: 3.0 ft wave at 12:03 UTC
These measurements are taken in deep water and may be significantly smaller than waves that could impact coastal areas.
What to Expect:
A tsunami has been confirmed and poses a serious threat to all Hawaiian coastlines. Residents and visitors are urged to take immediate protective action. Tsunami waves are a series of long ocean surges that can flood coastal areas for hours. The first wave may not be the largest, and dangerous conditions can persist long after the initial impact.
Key hazards include:
- Rapid flooding of low-lying areas
- Strong, unusual currents near shorelines
- Debris carried by waves increasing damage potential
- Risk amplified by high tides or surf conditions
Residents in coastal areas should evacuate. Emergency shelters are open:
- Hisaoka Gym
- Honokaa Gym
- Kau District Gym
- Keaau Armory
- Kealakehe High School Gym
- Naalehu Community Center
- Pahoa Neighborhood Facility
- Panaewa Park
- Puueo Community Center
- Waimea Community Center
- Yano Hall
Estimated Arrival Time in Hawaii:
7:17 PM HST, Tuesday, July 29, 2025
Stay Informed:
Further updates will be issued at least hourly or as conditions change. Authorities urge everyone to monitor official channels and follow emergency instructions.
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Tsunami Warning Issued for Hawai‘i Following Massive 8.7 Earthquake
HILO, Hawai‘i – The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center has issued a Tsunami Warning for the entire state of Hawai‘i, effective at 2:43 p.m. HST Tuesday, following a massive earthquake off the east coast of Kamchatka, Russia.
The earthquake, which struck at 1:25 p.m. HST, registered a magnitude of 8.7 and was centered at 52.2° North and 160.0° East. Officials confirm that a tsunami has been generated and could cause widespread damage along the coastlines of all Hawaiian Islands.
Residents are urged to take immediate action to protect life and property. Tsunamis are a series of long ocean waves, and each wave crest can last 5 to 15 minutes or longer, causing extensive flooding in coastal areas. The danger can persist for many hours after the initial wave, as additional waves arrive.
Authorities warn that tsunami wave heights cannot be predicted and the first wave may not be the largest. Waves can wrap efficiently around islands, placing all shores at risk regardless of their orientation. The trough of an incoming tsunami wave may expose the seafloor temporarily, but the area will quickly flood again.
Nearshore currents will be extremely strong and unusual, and debris carried by the waves will significantly increase their destructive potential. High tides or surf occurring simultaneously with tsunami waves could further amplify the hazard.
The first tsunami waves are expected to arrive in Hawai‘i at approximately 7:17 p.m. HST Tuesday, July 29, 2025.
Officials will continue to issue updates hourly, or sooner if conditions change, until the threat to Hawai‘i has passed. Residents are urged to monitor local media, NOAA Weather Radio, and official emergency channels for the latest information and evacuation instructions.
