Previous Chilean earthquakes have produced deadly tsunami on the Big Island.  A 1960 Chile 9.6 magnitude quake caused a 30-foot wave in Hilo while a magnitude 8.0 quake in Chile in 1946 prompted 60 foot wave that devastated Laupahoehoe, sent wreckage into downtown Hilo, and destroyed the railroad along Hawaii’s east shores.  NOTE: 1960 damage was caused by THIRD wave which emptied out Hilo Bay before flowing back in.  LINK>>>The Pacific Tsunami Museum, Photos - The Pacific Tsunami Museum Archives, Newsreel from 1960

I Report VIDEO: Naval vessels, commercial ships, private boats head out to sea from Pearl Harbor, Honolulu Harbor

HILO 9:30AM:  Security has opened a path for Keaukaha residents to drive across the closed runways of Hilo Airport.  A steady stream of cars has been moving over the airport tarmac for the last two hours. --AW

Hawaii Tsunami 11:25AM Hilo, Kona, Honolulu ... so far nothing ...KFVE: "Strong surge Wailoa area"  11:40AM Hilo Bay water has receeded a foot or two, mud churning up in bay   Hawaii Tsunami 11:50AM water flows back into Hilo Bay, mud churned up, water flowing back out again. No damage.  Hawaii Tsunami 12:00 Hilo Bay drops about 3 feet, Kahului rocks exposed, turbulence, mud churning, no damage

NOAA reports 3.0 ft Tsunami surge in Hilo, 3.2 ft in Kahului.  Pacific Tsunami Ctr cancels Hawaii - wide tsunami warning at 1:38PM.

Hilo Bay Webcam: LINK 

LINK>>>Photos: Tsunami surge in Hilo, Kahului

  *   *   *

Six Foot wave hits >>> Marquesas

  *   *   *

From Pacific Tsunami Center

EVALUATION

A TSUNAMI HAS BEEN GENERATED THAT COULD CAUSE DAMAGE ALONG COASTLINES OF ALL ISLANDS IN THE STATE OF HAWAII. URGENT ACTION SHOULD BE TAKEN TO PROTECT LIVES AND PROPERTY.

A TSUNAMI IS A SERIES OF LONG OCEAN WAVES. EACH INDIVIDUAL WAVE CREST CAN LAST 5 TO 15 MINUTES OR MORE AND EXTENSIVELY FLOOD COASTAL AREAS. THE DANGER CAN CONTINUE FOR MANY HOURS AFTER THE INITIAL WAVE AS SUBSEQUENT WAVES ARRIVE. TSUNAMI WAVE HEIGHTS CANNOT BE PREDICTED AND THE FIRST WAVE MAY NOT BE THE LARGEST.

TSUNAMI WAVES EFFICIENTLY WRAP AROUND ISLANDS. ALL SHORES ARE AT RISK NO MATTER WHICH DIRECTION THEY FACE. THE TROUGH OF A TSUNAMI WAVE MAY TEMPORARILY EXPOSE THE SEAFLOOR BUT THE AREA WILL QUICKLY FLOOD AGAIN. EXTREMELY STRONG AND UNUSUAL NEARSHORE CURRENTS CAN ACCOMPANY A TSUNAMI. DEBRIS PICKED UP AND CARRIED BY A TSUNAMI AMPLIFIES ITS DESTRUCTIVE POWER. SIMULTANEOUS HIGH TIDES OR HIGH SURF CAN SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASE THE TSUNAMI HAZARD.

THE ESTIMATED ARRIVAL TIME IN HAWAII OF THE FIRST TSUNAMI WAVE IS 1119 AM HST SAT 27 FEB 2010.

ADV: Civil Defense says first waves to hit at 11:04

Tsunami waves are now expected to hit the Big Island at 11:19 a.m., followed by Maui at 11:29 a.m., Oahu (11:49 a.m.) and Kauai (11:59 a.m.), according to the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center. Oahu Civil Defense is reporting the first waves will arrive at 11:04.

LINK to MAP, Warning updates

SB: Hilo Airport closed; vessels urged to leave harbors  “Officials said the biggest problems are expected in enclosed bay areas in Hilo, Kahului and Haleiwa where waves could reach six to eight feet.”

ADV: Hawaii remains under tsunami warning, sirens sounded about 6 a.m. , All UH sporting events today called off, Hilo airport to close; other airports remain open, Stores seeing influx in customers looking for last-minute supplies, On Maui, a miles-long line of cars heads for high ground, Waikiki hotels planning to evacuate at 6 a.m.

CNN: Sirens in Hawaii warn of possible tsunami

  *   *   *

Related:  Photos: Samoa Tsunami Surge Sept 29 in Keauhou Bay, Hawaii  (From a Tsunami warning that was called off.)