In regard to the Tsunami just experienced, Hawaii was blessed not to have any damage. The wave was smaller than was expected. The direction that the wave was coming from did not have many warning buoys so it was difficult for the Tsunami Center to estimate, but they went with the most caution. I believe the highest water was by Kahului, Maui Island, Harbor at 2 1/2 feet. People were very good about evacuating but some areas had traffic congestion that hampered the evacuation.

There are directional signs being put in place to tell people where to evacuate or if they are in a safe area. And this will help correct the problem of traffic congestion. Plus, there is a new policy for the hotels near the beach, to only evacuate guests to higher floors.

The warning was a concern to begin with as the 2011 Tokyo Tsunami did some extensive damage on all Islands, on all sides, because of what is called a wrap around wave. Especially in the harbor areas.

In some areas on all Islands, the sirens did not go off and the state is extensively investigating what might have happened. Part of the problem was that the notice went direct into a Tsunami Warning without a first Tsunami Advisory warning.

I am fortunate in that my Hana Maui Botanical Gardens B&B is 100 feet above sea level and approximately 2,000 or more yards from the ocean. So my guests and I did not have to evacuate. And my place on Big Island of Hawaii, A'alani Volcano Heart Hawaii B&B, is on the mountain at 3,500 feet so they had no concern.

Even though it is inconvenient to evacuate and wait to hear the all clear, it is so important to be safe and grateful that nothing bad happened.

Aloha,
JoLoyce Kaia
Hana Maui Botanical Gardens & A'alani Volcano Heart Hawaii B&B