Hawai‘i experienced its largest earthquake in 23 years today, it was centered a few miles off-shore along the Kona coast of our island. No tsunami was generated, and thankfully this was determined quickly. According to news reports it would take an earthquake of over 7 to generate one; this was was reported as something between 6.3 and 6.5. There has been some infrastructure damage, some roads on our island or closed or cut down to single lane traffic. No fatalities have been reported, though there were some unverified injury reports. The North Kohala Hospital has been evacuated.
Electricity was out for about two hours on Hawai‘i island, from 7-9 AM, but apparently O‘ahu got the worst of it. Their power went out about the same time and supposedly will not be back on for another 8-10 hours or more.
Scott on Maui reports a broken wine glass; I think that will qualify him for FEMA funds. Wait, Brownie quit. Maybe not. There was also reports of landslides in and around H?na on Maui.
More news as it manifests itself. Apparently CNN is broadcasting KITV’s coverage nationally. There was a funny moment while anchors Shawn Ching and Pauka Akana were conversing. An alarm sound could be heard in the newsroom, and they stopped what they were saying to listen. It was an announcement from the building maintenance people that there was a bathroom working on the 9th floor of the building.
