Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Tsunami warning for Hawaii lifted

Posted at 20:43 on 28 October, 2012 UTC

A tsunami warning for Hawaii was lifted overnight, after mild waves hit the US state.

The warning, after a powerful earthquake off the west coast of Canada, forced a state-wide evacuation.

The Hawaii-based Pacific Tsunami Warning Center announced the tsunami threat has decreased and is now at the advisory level and not expected to increase.

However it said sea level changes and strong currents could still occur and present a hazard for swimmers and boaters.

The tsunami wave activity is reported to have peaked at just 0.8 of a metre at the island of Maui.

Local media reports that three flights were canceled on Oahu and five flights canceled on Maui due to the tsunami warning.