8.8 Richter Chilean earthquake generates 1 meter wave on Hawaii

The warnings had been out since dawn. The beaches closed to bathers, coastal roads cleared, the warning sirens blared.

In the end, the Tsunami was less than the 2 meter wave expected. A wave of 1 meter at the top and one meter at the trough gently rolled into Hilo beach.

The wave was so gentle, it took reporters some time to determine that it actually was the tsunami.

The third wave in the video covers an inshore reef in about five minutes.

Civil authorities expect an all clear within an hour.  As we posted the all-clear was expected. Traffic was returning to the highways near the coast.

The lower parts of Honolulu and all coastal towns had cleared out. Hawaiians are used to tsunami warnings and alarms are are well prepared.

Video copyright CNN and KHON, Hawaii