Magnitude 8.8 Russia Earthquake Triggers Tsunami Warnings Across Hawaii, Vancouver Island

Hawaii is bracing for potentially destructive tsunami waves following a massive magnitude 8.8 earthquake off Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula. Officials, including Governor Josh Green and Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi, have urged residents to evacuate tsunami danger zones and seek higher ground, with specific instructions to shelter on the fourth floor or above in buildings at least 10 stories high. The first tsunami waves are expected to hit around 7:10 p.m. local time, starting near Kauai and affecting all islands, though the exact wave heights remain uncertain until ocean buoy measurements near Midway Island are analyzed. Traffic congestion is reported as residents and tourists rush to evacuate low-lying coastal areas, with authorities managing roadways to facilitate movement to safety. Emergency management agencies across Hawaii have issued multiple alerts and sirens, emphasizing the life-threatening nature of the event and urging people to stay away from beaches, harbors, and other vulnerable areas. Meanwhile, tsunami advisories are also in effect along the U.S. West Coast and Pacific territories, and similar precautionary measures are advised for western and northern Vancouver Island in Canada.