BY HAWAII REPORTER
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center lifted its tsunami warning for the state of Hawaii on Friday morning, downgrading its alert to an advisory level and asking people to stay off of beaches.
Hawaii residents were asked to evacuate from possible inundation areas on Thursday night after a series of temblors struck off of Japan, generating a tsunami there and killing hundreds of people. In Hawaii there are reports of damage to several boat harbors, though not at the level reported on Honshu.
“The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center has downgraded the tsunami warning to an advisory for the state of Hawaii,” said Gov. Neil Abercrombie in a message released by his office. “Please continue to exercise caution – stay out of the waterways and shoreline areas. Tidal activity around our islands remains unpredictable.”
Abercrombie said the state was fortunate that a more destructive tsunami did not materialize. He thanked the work of civil defense, police and firefighters, and government agency workers in the disaster preparedness effort.
“During the upcoming hours, county agencies will assess their respective districts. State agencies will continue to work with the counties in this effort.”