Traffic Chaos During Honolulu Tsunami Alert Highlights Over-Evacuation

Honolulu, Jul 31 (AP) David Sun-Miyashiro was at his Honolulu apartment on the 31st floor when his phone signaled a potential tsunami due to a significant earthquake across the Pacific. Although he was safe from immediate danger, he still attempted to pick up his father for a planned airport trip. However, traffic congestion in his Kakaako neighborhood quickly turned his journey into an hour-long ordeal over just a few blocks. Abandoning his car, Sun-Miyashiro walked back home with his young son. Despite the intensity of the 8.8 magnitude quake near a Russian peninsula, the ensuing tsunami caused minimal damage in Hawaii.

Hawaii officials noted that the quake’s timing during rush hour and the extended warning period led to severe traffic jams, challenging an otherwise smooth evacuation process. "It became clear that in densely populated areas, it’s manageable as long as everyone doesn't get in their cars simultaneously," Sun-Miyashiro remarked, acknowledging the paralysis such gridlock caused.

Officials identified "over-evacuation" as a concern. Hotels dismissed nonessential staff early, adding more vehicles to the roads. Some tourists prematurely sought higher ground instead of staying in hotel upper floors, while residents rushed for supplies or to rendezvous with family. Confusion about evacuation needs added to the chaos, with some residents from "extreme" tsunami zones evacuating unnecessarily.

Ed Sniffen, from the state Department of Transportation, expressed no regret about the early warning but emphasized better public education for future events. "Many immediately attempted to leave, even those in safety zones," he noted, urging people to stay put if safe to ease road usage for those who genuinely needed to evacuate. State Rep. Adrian Tam shared concerns about the gridlock in tourist-centric Waikiki, advocating for more organized evacuation strategies in the future.

Hawaii usually has sufficient warning before tsunamis as it lies in the middle of the Pacific Plate. While significant earthquakes in the state are rare, tsunamis often generate from distant tremors around the Ring of Fire, giving ample lead time for evacuation. Notably, Tuesday’s event stirred memories of past disasters, prompting road clearances, including the military and private routes on Oahu and Maui.

Despite challenges, the evacuation proceeded with notable orderliness. Jake Bacon, a vacationing photographer from Arizona, observed the calm in stark contrast to hasty wildfire evacuations he's encountered. "I didn't hear a car horn honk," he commented, appreciating the calm demeanor of residents as they navigated the traffic.

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