HONOLULU — A partnership between the University of Hawaii Sea Grant College Program and various organizations across the state has resulted in a new 2024 Hawaii Tsunami Preparedness video launched in April that Gov. Josh Green had proclaimed Tsunami Awareness Month in Hawaii.

What You Need To Know

  • Every Hawaii resident and visitor is strongly encouraged to view the free video which could save lives

  • The 2024 Hawaii Tsunami Preparedness video is available on the Hawaii Sea Grant’s YouTube channel, as well as websites of organizations that partnered to produce the video

It has been 78 years since the 1946 Aleutian Island earthquake generated powerful and deadly 50-foot-plus tsunami waves that hit Hilo causing tragic loss of life and $340 million in economic damage to the state.

Green’s proclamation highlighted awareness, education and action to prepare for tsunami that can strike anywhere in the state and with very little notice.

“This video has it all in one place,” said Hawaii County Civil Defense Agency Administrator Talmadge Magno in a news release. “It covers how a tsunami is generated, tsunami zones, emergency communications and evacuation planning, so that residents properly know where to go during the tsunami threat.” 

Agreeing with Magno, Hawaii County Mayor Mitch Roth emailed the link to county employees, so they could be more aware and better prepared.

Kauai County Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami also distributed the video to local media, Kauai’s public access station Hōʻike Television, and through the county’s social media channels.

Residents flee from the April 1, 1946, tsunami that destroyed downtown Hilo, HI. (Cicilio Licos, courtesy of the Pacific Tsunami Museum)

“This video is the result of a collaborative partnership among emergency managers from across the state, as well as the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, International Tsunami Information Center and Pacific Tsunami Museum, as well as the Hawaii State Department of Education which produced the video,” said Dennis Hwang, faculty with Hawaii Sea Grant.

“It includes the most up-to-date information available and is an important resource for the public now and into the future,” Hwang said.

Every Hawaii resident and visitor is strongly encouraged to view the free video which could save lives. In addition to focusing on tsunami preparedness, the video includes information to help prepare for other natural disasters such as wildfires and hurricanes.

The 2024 Hawaii Tsunami Preparedness video is available on the Hawaii Sea Grant’s YouTube channel, as well as websites of organizations that partnered to produce the video.

Sarah Yamanaka covers news and events for Spectrum News Hawaii. She can be reached at sarah.yamanaka@charter.com.