Latest news with #DariusKila
Yahoo
30-07-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Magnitude 8.8 Earthquake Sets Off Tsunami Alerts Across The Pacific; Tsunami Warning Issued For Hawaii, Alaska
A major magnitude 8.8 earthquake struck early Wednesday in far eastern Russia. Tsunami alerts have been issued in parts of Alaska, Hawaii, Japan and throughout the Pacific. The National Tsunami Warning Center, based in Alaska, issued a tsunami warning for western parts of the Alaska Aleutian Islands and Hawaii, and an advisory for portions of the West Coast, including California, Oregon, and Washington. Wave heights could be as high as 5.7 feet in Crescent City, California; 3.2 feet in Port San Luis, California; 2.0 feet in Port Orford, Oregon; and 1 foot in Moclips, Washington. For the forecast for other cities, click here. Traffic was backed up in some neighborhoods in Honolulu, and officials were preparing to open a mountain pass as an evacuation route out of Waianae, a coastal community on the island of Oahu, said state Rep. Darius Kila. Even though it's summer break, some schools issued alerts canceling sports and other activities. Residents in Maui were seen evacuating away from the water. The advisory also includes a vast swath of Alaska's coastline, including parts of the panhandle. A damaging tsunami wave could reach: The western portions of Alaska's Aleutian Islands by 4:40 p.m. Alaskan Standard Time. Hawaii by 7:17 p.m. Hawaii Standard Time. For other US and Canadian arrival times, click here. The earthquake was initially rated as 8.0, but has been upgraded to an 8.8 magnitude by the United States Geological Survey. International Impacts The quake struck far eastern Russia near the Kamchatka Peninsula city of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, a city of 181,000 people. Russia's Tass news agency reported from the biggest city near the epicenter, Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, that many people ran out into the street without shoes or outerwear. Cabinets toppled inside homes, mirrors were broken, cars swayed in the street and balconies on buildings shook noticeably. Tass also reported power outages and mobile phone service failures in the capital of the Kamchatka region. Tsunami waves have been seen on the eastern coast of the Kamchatka Peninsula. Japan's meteorological agency issued a tsunami alert for Japan's Pacific coast, saying waves up to 10 feet could arrive along the northern Japanese coasts less than half an hour after the alert. Potential Damage And Perspective The USGS estimates that damages could be in the billions of dollars and issued a rare red pager to flag the earthquake's destructive potential. This quake could be one of the largest earthquakes ever recorded. The area of the northwestern Pacific is no stranger to tectonic activity. The Kamchatka Peninsula sits on the boundary between the Pacific tectonic plate and the North American Plate. A magnitude 9.0 earthquake struck nearby in 1952 and a magnitude 8.4 quake struck the eastern coast of the Kamchatka Peninsula in 1923. This is a developing situation. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Daily Mail
30-07-2025
- Climate
- Daily Mail
How to prepare for tsunami as millions in US under threat
As Hawaii residents were urged to evacuate under threat of a devastating tsunami officials issued statements about how to prepare for the possibility of natural disaster. Locals were told to stay aware of their zones and if they are in a high-impact zone for tsunami's in the event of an emergency. 'Head to higher ground or as far inland as possible,' Drew Davis for Hawaii News Now said. The Hawaii Emergency Management Agency advised residents to remain at least 100 feet away from inland waterways or marinas connected to the ocean due to wave surges and possible flooding. 'If possible, remove or deploy vessels to deep water,' the agency said. It further advised anyone to locate evacuation zones or find higher ground, above the fourth floor, of structural steel or reinforced concrete buildings of ten or more stories for increased protection. Millions of Americans were urged to brace for a tsunami to hit following a massive 8.7 magnitude earthquake that struck off the coast of Russia. Hawaii residents were urged to evacuate from coastal areas as the entire island prepares for the 1am EST impact. Traffic was backed up in some Honolulu neighborhoods as residents flee to safety, and officials prepared to open a mountain pass as an evacuation route out of Waianae, a coastal community on the island of Oahu, Rep. Darius Kila said according to the Weather Channel. Warnings were also put into effect for parts of Alaska and Japan, while a tsunami watch expanded to cover the entire West Coast of the United States. Waves were expected to reach California at around 3am EST. Data from the US Geological Survey shows the quake reached a magnitude of 8.7 and struck about 84 miles east-southeast of Kamchatska, Russia at around 7.24pm EST. The Department of Emergency Management for Oahu, an island of Hawaii, urged residents on the coast to evacuate the area or at least move to higher ground ahead. Officials in Guam also urged residents to get off the beaches and harbors. The tsunami 'could be destructive' to coastal areas, authorities at the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center warned. The warning added that 'waves reaching more than three meters above the tide level [or about 10 feet] are possible along some coasts of Northwestern Hawaiian Islands.' The National Weather Service also warned residents they 'are in danger.' 'Get away from coastal waters. Move to high ground or inland now. Keep away from the coast until local officials say it is safe to return,' the department said in an alert. Meteorologist Matthew Cappucci also urged Americans to 'prepare to evacuate vertically if warnings are issued.' 'Move away from beaches, harbors, marinas, bays and inlets. If you're in a boat and cannot reach shore, sail away from the coast into deeper waters where the tsunami's energy will be dispersed. Head to a place with an ocean depth of at least 180 feet.' The earthquake on Tuesday came just over one week after several other tremors struck the area, including one that measured a 7.4 magnitude. Tuesday's earthquake is the largest this year, and is the first magnitude 8.0 or higher since 2021.
Yahoo
07-07-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Maili wildfire prompts mass evacuation on Leeward Coast
RELATED PHOTO GALLERY Honolulu firefighters had a 95-acre wildfire in Maili 75 % contained Sunday night after it led to the mass evacuation of Leeward Coast residents, resulted in a 94-year-old woman being treated for smoke inhalation and burned two homes. City officials Sunday night told people who evacuated to remain out of the evacuation area until further notice. Those who stayed should remain in place, the city said. Some Maili residents, including Council member Andria Tupola, said they never received any notice to evacuate. 'I live pretty close to the fire and I did not get an evacuation order, ' Tupola said. 'I heard there was a radio announcement and some people got texts. But it mostly spread on social media.' If she had not been contacted by state Rep. Darius Kila (D, Nanakuli-Maili ) or Gov. Josh Green, Tupola said, 'I don't think I would have known about the fire.' But Kevin Miller, 58, was awakened by his cellphone with an alert to evacuate at 3 :37 p.m. He was napping inside a house on Kulaaupuni Street, which began filling with smoke. A Honolulu Police Department officer then arrived and told everyone to leave. 'So I got out of there, ' Miller later said Sunday night at the Waianae Intermediate School cafeteria that had been pressed into service as an emergency evacuation center, while vehicles continued to pour out of the Leeward Coast along Farrington Highway and Paakea Road. Miller was one of about 20 evacuees at Waianae Intermediate School, including Abdallah Mwamakatwe, 53, who also said he had received no evacuation order. He lives on the grounds of the Samoan Methodist Church on Paakea Road with an extended family that began to smell—and then see—smoke in the home about 3 p.m. Three cousins—ages 9, 12 and 17—tried to escape by climbing over the backyard fence, which neighbors had to break down to give them an escape route. 'I never yelled that loud for help in my life, ' Laina Tuinavave, 17, said at the evacuation center. The cousins said they were still shocked and traumatized Sunday night and had not had time to cry. Mwamakatwe, 53, was the last to flee the home and drove his Ford Bronco to reunite with his family at Maili Beach Park with only his cellphone. 'I'm glad we're all alive, ' he said. 'I didn't take anything. I'm just happy we came alive.' Kila said that two Maili homes may have burned, and Council member Tupola said that she understood that at least 'one family had lost everything.' The city said only that 'some structure damage ' had been reported Sunday night. Honolulu Emergency Medical Services said it treated a 94-year-old woman who suffered smoke inhalation and transported her in critical condition to an emergency room. Kila—one of many city, state and Neighborhood Board members who continue to advocate for another major route out of the Leeward Coast during an emergency—said Sunday's evacuation under the direction of HPD went orderly and the military remained on standby to open its Kolekole Pass as another evacuation route, if necessary. Kila said it appeared that state, city and military officials were coordinating efforts. 'I've been thoroughly impressed with the quick activation, ' he said. The order to evacuate was appropriate, Kila said, especially given the dry conditions as the Leeward Coast continues to dry out this summer, along with the leeward sides of all islands. 'I'd rather be safe than sorry, ' he said. 'I would rather us exercise safety than not.' Hawaiian Electric turned off power to 30 Maili homes in the fire area at the request of the Honolulu Fire Department, Hawaiian Electric spokesperson Darren Pai said. Sunday's fire represented the latest response to Hawaii wildfires following the Aug. 8, 2023, Maui wildfires that killed 102 people and caused an estimated $13 billion in damage. The Maui wildfires were ignited when high winds knocked over a Hawaiian Electric utility pole overloaded with technology equipment that toppled over and ignited overgrown brush mauka of Lahaina town. Maui County firefighters thought they had extinguished the initial blaze, then left to respond to a different incident, only to discover that the smoldering fire broke out and raced down to Lahaina town, where fleeing residents' escape routes were blocked by other downed utility poles knocked over by high winds. Survivors complained that no tsunami warning alarms went off and Maui police did not broadcast evacuation orders from their patrol cars. The evacuation along Farrington Highway and Paakea Road on Sunday night appeared orderly as Honolulu police officers regulated traffic, Kila said. State Rep. Diamond Garcia (R, Ewa-Kapolei ) said that HPD officers Sunday night warned people over their patrol vehicles' loud speakers to evacuate. 'HPD has done a phenomenal job with their loud speakers, ' Garcia said. The state Department of Education announced Sunday night that the wildfire forced it to pause its free summer meals program during shelter use and Maili Elementary's summer meal service will be closed today because of road closures. For alternative meal sites, visit. Also Sunday night, Hawaiian Electric said that power would remain off for approximately 330 customers in Upcountry Maui until 'hazardous conditions improve.' Hawaiian Electric shut off power Sunday as part of its Public Safety Power Shutoff program following high winds and dry conditions. The utility said that power lines and other utility equipment must be inspected and any damage must be repaired before restoring power. The work could involve ground crews and aerial inspections using helicopters and drones, Hawaiian Electric said Sunday night. 'We sincerely apologize and ask for our customers' continued patience, ' Jim Alberts, Hawaiian Electric senior vice president and chief operations officer, said in a statement. 'The safety of the public and our crews is our top priority. We will work as quickly as possible to ensure power can be restored safely without creating any additional hazards.' Hawaiian Electric said it may shut off power in communities with 'high exposure to wildfire risk during severe weather conditions. Customers in these areas are urged to implement their own emergency plans and prepare for the possibility of extended power outages.'
Yahoo
08-06-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
E-bike bill on Governor Green's intent to veto list
HONOLULU (KHON2) — On Friday, Governor Josh Green released a list of bills he intends to veto. He said of the 320 bills passed by the legislature this session, 19 are on his intent to veto list. Governor Green releases list of bills he plans to veto One of those bills looked to regulate electric bicycles and many were surprised to see it on the list. This session, there were nearly 20 bills aimed at regulating e-bikes and defining rules and laws for the increasingly popular transportation tool. All of those bills turned into one bill, HB 958. 'We really thought this bill was the slam dunk, if you will, of fixing some of our legal language and giving HPD and others the tool to enforce this, so it was quite surprising to see it on the list,' said Travis Counsell, Hawaii Bicycling League executive director. House Transportation Chair Darius Kila said he worked tirelessly on the bill and had support from the county and state transportation departments, and county police departments too. The bill looked to ban 'high speed electric devices' in certain locations like highways and sidewalks; defined the different types of e-bikes and e-motorcycles, and also what ages need to be wearing a helmet while on specific devices. 'This is the only one bill this legislative session that address hundreds and thousands of residents' concerns and complaints,' Kila said. 'There is so much at stake, we cannot risk losing this bill, for the sake of every island finding uniform complicity on regulation.' Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news Governor Green's veto reasoning was: 'While mopeds and motorcycles are exempt from the prohibition established within this bill, on 'high-speed electric devices' driving on public roadways, electric cars are not exempt. Such a prohibition would likely violate the Commerce Clause and Equal Protection Clause of the United States Constitution and conflict with the administration's commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.' 'My pushback is every agency touched the bill and knows its intent and that it's not the impact of wanting to target electric vehicles,' Kila explained. 'And understanding they're federally pre-emptive already on how they are regulated on our public roadways.' The Hawaii Bicycling League said it would be a disservice to see the bill get vetoed. 'It really was the update we needed,' Counsell said. 'Bringing us up to those national standards and then going beyond that and defining some of the new devices.' Kila wrote a letter to the governor's senior advisor and attorney general, making it clear his bill does not impact electric cars and says he has meetings set up with the attorney general's office to comb through the bill page by page and is hopeful e-bike rules and regulations could become law this summer. 'I hope in the end, Gov will sign this bill and understand it's not the intent (to go after electric cars) and we can collectively deliver on what the public has been asking us to do,' Kila has until July 9 to issue final vetoes, all other bills will become law. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Derelict poles, sagging lines plague West Oahu ahead of summer
WAIANAE, Hawaii (KHON2) — As the summer fire season looms, a state lawmaker is sounding the alarm about dangerous utility conditions in West Oahu. State Rep. Darius Kila demanded immediate action from Hawaiian Electric, Hawaiian Telcom and Charter Spectrum Hawaii. 'Our risk is high,' fire experts warn as summer approaches In a letter sent on Wednesday, May 21, Kila highlighted aging poles, sagging wires and overgrown vegetation along Farrington Highway. 'I hate that it's always reactive and not proactive. Because again, I will invite folks to just take a quick five-minute, 10-minute drive down the Waianae Coast on Farrington Highway and you can point to the derelict poles, the derelict wires, the hanging wires,' said Rep. Kila. He has given the companies just 30 days to give an update on how they plan to identify, remove and replace abandoned, damaged or unused infrastructure. 'I felt 30 days was a fair timeline for them to get get some comprehensive plan, and also understand that this will be a rolling plan that they continue to visit and work out and noting that 30 days from now puts us right at the beginning of the summer. Cause I think people just want to feel at ease,' Rep. Kila said. The task isn't simple, since multiple entities share responsibility. Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news 'We have to work with other utilities, with private landowners, with the government, you know. Everybody has their part to play, but it's also something that we share together,' said Darren Pai, HECO spokesperson. The State is taking action — the Hawaii Department of Transportation deputy director said they are currently acquiring land to open Paakea Road as a permanent alternate route to Farrington. 'And when this route is open, it will be 24/7, it's not going to be an emergency route, it's going to be for everyday for public use. So there will be no more gates on that route and anybody can access the route at any time,' Robin Shishido, HDOT Deputy Director, explained. Pai added that over 1,300 poles have been inspected in the area since 2023, 100 have been removed since 2020 and vegetation management in the area is expected to be complete by the end of June. Check out more news from around Hawaii Spectrum said it does not own any of the poles in question, but they have hundreds of technicians who monitor and maintain its infrastructure. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
