Kauai is rarely struck by tsunamis, and it has been over 60 years since the last one impacted the island in 1960. Previous tsunamis also occurred in 1957 and 1946, each bringing significant devastation across the Hawaiian Islands.
Tsunamis can strike at any time, in any season, and under any weather conditions. These unpredictable events have no specific “tsunami season” and are often triggered by underwater earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, landslides, or other large-scale disturbances. Tsunamis can travel vast distances and cause extensive destruction to coastlines, structures, and communities.
Signs of an approaching tsunami may include:
- A strong or prolonged earthquake
- A loud, rumbling noise from the ocean, similar to a train or airplane
- Unusual ocean activity, such as a rapid flood or sudden wall of water
Tsunami Warning Centers continuously monitor for tsunami activity and issue alerts as needed. In the United States, these include the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Hawaii and the National Tsunami Warning Center in Alaska. The image shows the estimated travel times for a tsunami to reach the island of Kauai. Key emergency contact info can be found here. Kauai CERT center provides additional information here.
The previous three tsunamis to reach Kauai were:
- 1960 Chilean Tsunami: An earthquake off the coast of Chile created a Pacific-wide tsunami, with waves that reached the Hawaiian Islands, including Kauai. Although many residents evacuated to higher ground, the waves caused extensive damage in Hawaii, killing 61 people in Hilo on the Big Island.
- 1957 Aleutian Tsunami: Triggered by an earthquake near the Aleutians, this tsunami reached Kauai and caused significant damage, especially along the northern coast. Waves as high as 16 meters (about 52 feet) surged onto Haena, destroying infrastructure and flooding areas far inland.
- 1946 Aleutian Tsunami: Generated by an earthquake near the Aleutian Islands, this tsunami was devastating across Hawaii. Kauai was severely impacted, and 17 residents lost their lives. Waves surged onto the shore, washing out homes and buildings.
