What are my risks?
Maui has had a tsunami?!
Click
here to download an image of tsunami areas.
Over 100 tsunamis have been observed in the
Hawaiian Islands since the first recorded tsunami in 1812.
Although only 16 have caused significant damage, 26 have
been recorded since 1819 with wave run-ups greater than
3.3ft (1 m) and reported damage.
Tsunamis reaching Maui have exhibited tremendous
variability in terms of their wave run-ups and damage. During
the 1946 tsunami, run-up heights within only a few miles
along the south shore varied by over 10 feet between Huakini
Bay and Mokuia Point.
Past records signify that a damaging tsunami
has reached Hawaiian shores once every 7 years. However,
the last damaging tsunami recorded in Hawaii was over 25
years ago, in 1975. This has scientists noting Maui County
is long overdue for a damaging tsunami.
Am I at risk?
If you live in a low-lying coastal area, you
are at risk. All low-lying coastal areas can be struck by
tsunami.
To see Maui County’s Tsunami Evacuation
Maps, go to the front section of your phone book or click
here.
For more information, contact the Maui
Civil Defense Agency (808) 243-7721.
Source: Fletcher, Charles, Eric Grossman,
Bruce Richmond. Atlas of Natural Hazards in the Hawaiian
Coastal Zone. 2000.