When Was The Last Tsunami Warning In Hawaii?
If you are searching for the most recent official tsunami warning that affected the Hawaiian Islands, the answer points to the March 15 2022 alert issued after the massive volcanic eruption of Hunga Tonga‑Hunga Haʻapai. The warning was broadcast by the National Tsunami Warning Center (NTWC) and the Pacific Tsunami Warning System, and it was lifted later that same day once the threat level dropped.
Why March 2022 Stands Out
The Hunga Tonga‑Hunga Haʻapai eruption on March 14 2022 generated a powerful under‑sea blast that produced a trans‑Pacific tsunami. Waves traveled more than 7,000 km across the ocean, reaching the Hawaiian archipelago within 12 hours. Because the event was unprecedented in modern monitoring history, the NTWC issued a tsunami warning for all Hawaiian islands on March 15, advising residents to stay away from the shoreline, check local alerts, and be prepared for possible inundation.
The warning was lifted at 7:15 p.m. HST after tide‑gauge data showed that wave heights would remain well below the hazardous threshold. No significant damage or injuries were reported in Hawaii, but the event reinforced the importance of the Pacific warning network.
