Tsunami Hazards Gallery
The photos in this gallery are courtesy of the Pacific Tsunami Museum, and they will not enlarge. Be sure and visit the Pacific Tsunami Museum web page for extensive photos, as well as more information.
Now available throughout Hawaii in surf shops and at Civil Defense, a free 18-minute DVD: He'e Nalu--But never try to surf a tsunami. Funded by Hawaii State Civil Defense, this video compares huge surfing waves generated by the November 2003 storm in Hilo with deadly tsunami waves. Scientists explain the nature of tsunamis and why you should be far inland during a tsunami watch or warning. View short clips of this DVD, and short clips of the 11/03 storm, in the Video Galleries below!
Downtown Hilo, heavily damaged by the 1946 tsunami, was battered again in May 1960. (Martin Polhemus Collection, Pacific Tsunami Museum.)
The hardest hit area in 1960 was the Waiakea peninusla: nearly every building was flalttened or floated away. Above, a school building. (Matt Chow collection, Pacific Tsunami Museum.)
Video Gallery: Why You Can't Surf a Tsunami
Videos are COMING SOON. Photos below are taken from the He'e Nalu DVD described above.
Enjoy surfing--but not on a tsunami.
Don't go near the ocean if a tsunami is coming.
Photo Gallery: November 2003 Storm
These waves are NOT from a tsunami, but were quite impressive.
Srorm waves washed across Bayfront Highway.
Trees were uprooted.
Onekahakaha Beach park flooded.
Huge surfing waves were generated.
Surfers were happy.