6.0 earthquake off Hōnaunau-Nāpōʻopoʻo, no tsunami threat to Hawaiʻi
There is no tsunami threat to Hawaiʻi following a 6.0 (preliminary magnitude 5.9) earthquake that occurred at 9:46 p.m. on Friday, May 22, 2026, 12 km S of Hōnaunau-Nāpōʻopoʻo, on Hawaiʻi Island. The location is on the western flank of Maunaloa.
The USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory reports the quake occurred at a depth of 22.39 km (13.91 miles).
Scientists with the HVO issued a statement saying, “The depth, location, and recorded seismic waves of the earthquake suggest that it was caused by stress due to bending of the oceanic plate from the weight of the Hawaiian island chain; the earthquake was not directly related to volcanic processes.”
The USGS Did You Feel It? site recorded multiple felt reports on Hawaiʻi Island. The quake was also felt across various parts of Maui including Kahului in Central Maui, with residents describing the tremor as a long rumbling. The USGS recorded more than 2,500 felt reports from across the state with strong to very strong shaking reported on the west side of of Hawaiʻi Island.
The quake also resulted in the temporary closure of Route 11 (Mamalahoa Hwy) in South Kona due to large rocks and debris falling onto the roadway between Rabbit Hill Road and Manuka State Park.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center issued a notification saying, “No tsunami is expected; however, some areas may have experienced strong shaking.
The Hawaiʻi Civil Defense Agency issued an information statement at 10:20 p.m. saying, “As in all earthquakes, be aware of the possibility of after-shocks. If the earthquake was strongly felt in your area, check for any damages, including but not limited to structural and gas, water, and electrical utilities.”
The USGS reports that nearby places include the following:
- Hōnaunau-Nāpōʻopoʻo, Hawaiʻi, 12.6 km (7.8 mi) N. Population: 2,567
- Kailua-Kona, Hawaiʻi, 35.8 km (22.3 mi) NNW. Population: 11,975
- Hilo, Hawaiʻi, 92.2 km (57.3 mi) ENE. Population: 43,263
- Hawaiian Paradise Park, Hawaiʻi, 97.9 km (60.9 mi) ENE. Population: 11,404
- Honolulu, Hawaiʻi, 301.4 km (187.3 mi) NW. Population: 371,657
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