NOAA
Hawaii Tsunami Awareness Month - April 2019
The theme for 2019 is an ʻŌlelo Noʻeau from Mary Kawena Pukui.
ʻIliki ke kai i ka ʻopeʻope lā, lilo; i lilo no he hāwāwā.
Literal translation
The sea snatches the bundle, it is gone; It goes when one is not watchful.
Tsunami interpretation
A person who fails to watch out often loses. Never turn your back on the sea.
This Hawaiian proverb is as important today as it was in the past. Although Hawaii has a tsunami warning siren system to alert us to evacuate, the sirens do not cover all coasts, and in some cases, sirens could be weaker than the sounds of heavy surf or strong winds. It is also possible that a local tsunami may strike the coast before a warning is issued or siren sounds. Please respect and appreciate the ancient Hawaiians who, with this proverb, hoped to save more lives in future generations than were tragically and needlessly lost in the past.
The sea snatches the bundle, it is gone; It goes when one is not watchful.
Tsunami interpretation
A person who fails to watch out often loses. Never turn your back on the sea.
This Hawaiian proverb is as important today as it was in the past. Although Hawaii has a tsunami warning siren system to alert us to evacuate, the sirens do not cover all coasts, and in some cases, sirens could be weaker than the sounds of heavy surf or strong winds. It is also possible that a local tsunami may strike the coast before a warning is issued or siren sounds. Please respect and appreciate the ancient Hawaiians who, with this proverb, hoped to save more lives in future generations than were tragically and needlessly lost in the past.
For Awareness Materials, visit Hawaiʻi Information
Press Release, City & County of Honolulu (Website)
Press Release, Hawaii Emergency Management Agency (Website)
Calendar of Events
| SATURDAY, 23 MARCH 2019 O'ahu: Community Emergency Preparedness Fair, Mililani, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 95-1039 Meheula Parkway, 10:00AM – 2:00PM Contact: Tom King, Director of Public Affairs Mililani Hawaii Stake, 808-258-9671 |
| TUESDAY, 02 APRIL 2019 Kaua'i: FEMA NDPTC AWR-217 Tsunami Awareness training Contact: National Disaster Preparedness Training Center |
| WEDNESDAY, 04 APRIL 2019 Hawai'i: Gogi Kara, Japanese Chamber of Commerce After Hours at the Pacific Tsunami Museum. Contact: Pacific Tsunami Museum, www.tsunami.org |
| SATURDAY, 06 April 2019 Hawai'i: Pacific Tsunami Museum Open House (Childrenʻs Day), 10:00AM - 4:00PM, Event will feature tsunami activities for children. Contact: Pacific Tsunami Museum, www.tsunami.org |
| FRIDAY, 12 APRIL 2019 Hawai'i: Rotary Club, Hilo Hawaiian Hotel, 11:30AM – 1:00PM Contact: Pacific Tsunami Museum, www.tsunami.org |
| SATURDAY, 13 April 2019 Hawai'i: Pacific Tsunami Museum Tsunami Preparedness Day, 10:00AM - 4:00PM Event will feature activities and information on how to prepare for the next local and distant tsunami. Contact: Pacific Tsunami Museum, www.tsunami.org Hawai'i: Keiki Fest, Parker Ranch Center, 9:00AM - 1:00PM. Learn about fitness, nutrition, environment and safety. |
| TUESDAY, 16 APRIL 2019 Hawai'i: Rotary Club, Hilo Hawaiian Hotel, 11:30AM – 1:00PM Contact: Pacific Tsunami Museum, www.tsunami.org |
| FRIDAY, 19 APRIL 2019 Moloka'i: Moloka'i Earth Day Celebration, Mitchell Pauole Center, 5:00PM – 9:00PM This years theme is "Nana I Ke Kumu, Look to the Source." Contact: 336-0474 |
| SATURDAY, 20 April 2019 Hawai'i: Pacific Tsunami Museum Speakers Day, 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Event will feature guest speakers from Hawaii tsunami agencies and others. Contact: Pacific Tsunami Museum, www.tsunami.org Hawai'i: Kau Wellness Fair, 9:00AM - 12:30PM, Kau District Gym's multipurpose room. Participating organizations include HSTA, Bay Clinic, UnitedHealthcare, Keiki ID, Blue Zones, Children’s Community Council, Friends of the Library, PATH, Tutu and Me, Project Aware - Mental Health First Aid, and Ocean Awareness and Safety. O'ahu: 12th Annual from Mauka to Makai Environmental Expo, 9:00AM - 2:00PM, Waikiki Aquarium. 2777 Kalakaua Avenue. In celebration of Earth Month, this FREE, family-friendly event will promote the importance of keeping Hawaii clean and free of pollution, from the mountaintops to the Ocean. |
| WEDNESDAY, 24 April - SATURDAY, 27 April 2019 Hawai'i: Pacific Tsunami Museum Tsunami Merrie Monarch Special, 1/2 off admission. Contact: Pacific Tsunami Museum, www.tsunami.org |
| SATURDAY, 11 MAY 2019 O'ahu: 4th Annual Eastside Disaster Preparedness Fair, Kahala Mall, 10:00AM - 2:00PM Contact: Aina Haina Prepared, Danny Tengan, 808-620-5403, dstengan@gmail.com, www.ainahainaprepared.org O'ahu: Mililani Emergency Preparedness Fair (6th Event), Mililani Town Center, 10:00AM – 2:00AM. Contact: Councilmember Ron Menor's Office, Mark Watanabe, 768-5097, mark.watanabe@honolulu.gov |
Quick Links
Resources
Tsunami Awareness Poster
Available in English, Spanish, Chinese, French, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Singalese.
Global & Regional Hazard Maps
Tsunami Sources, Significant Earthquakes, Significant Volcanic Eruptions, Tsunami Icosohedron Globe.
TsunamiTeacher USA
Tsunami Basics
Also on YouTube
(w/closed captioning)
Learn the basics of tsunamis. Available in English, Samoan.