HONOLULU – Following last night’s tsunami warning, which fortunately resulted in no significant impact to Oʻahu, Mayor Rick Blangiardi and the City and County of Honolulu are reminding the public that every tsunami alert—no matter the outcome—must be treated as a serious threat to life and safety.
“While we were fortunate that last night’s event did not escalate, it’s critical that we never take these warnings lightly,” said Mayor Blangiardi. “These alerts are issued based on the best information available at the time, and they are designed to save lives. Tsunamis can strike with little warning and cause devastating loss of life and property. When an alert is issued, take action immediately—there is no room for hesitation or complacency. I want to thank our residents and visitors for the high level of cooperation shown during this event; your quick response helps ensure the safety of our entire community.”
The City emphasizes the following key safety reminders:
- Pay attention to official alerts from the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC) and City and County of Honolulu Department of Emergency Management.
- Follow all evacuation orders immediately—do not wait to see the wave or assume the danger has passed.
- Know your evacuation plan ahead of time and move to higher ground without delay when instructed.
- Help visitors and those unfamiliar with local procedures understand the urgency and where to go during an alert. Have a Go Bag ready! Do not wait until there is a threat to collect your essential belongings. Keep Go Bag with important documents, medications, and other essentials ready.
- Sign up for HNL Alerts to receive critical emergency notifications directly to your mobile phone. Residents can easily register for text alerts at www.honolulu.gov/dem/hnl-alert.
Mayor Blangiardi concluded, “Taking precautions during a tsunami warning may feel inconvenient, but it is a small price to pay for keeping our families safe. The real tragedy would be ignoring a warning that turns out to be life-threatening. Anytime we can return home safely at the end of the night, with no injuries or damage to our homes, it is the best possible outcome. That is why preparedness, awareness, and immediate action during these events are so essential for protecting our community.”
Tsunamis are rare but deadly, and even a small delay in response can have serious consequences. Last night’s warning serves as a powerful reminder to stay prepared, remain calm, and act quickly when an alert is issued.
For more information on tsunami preparedness, including evacuation zone maps, safety tips, visit www.honolulu.gov/dem.
Sign up for HNL Alert:
- CUSTOMIZE YOUR ALERTS: Create an account at hnlalert.gov. Pick any combination of text messages, email alerts, or push notifications from the Public Safety by Everbridge app. Make changes to your preferred alert topics any time!
- URGENT ALERTS ONLY: Text “HNLALERT” to 888777 to quickly subscribe and get the most critical safety alerts by text. No registration needed!
Learn more about HNL Alert and get step-by-step instructions on how to sign up at honolulu.gov/dem/hnl-alert.
—PAU—
