I never imagined my firsthand account of a tsunami evacuation would start so peacefully. But so there I was, enjoying a perfect day at the beach on Oahu with my family. We were visiting my son, a Marine stationed at Marine Corps Base Hawaii (MCBH), for some long-overdue time together.

On Tuesday, July 29th, at around 2:45 PM local time, every cell phone on the beach suddenly blared to life with a Wireless Emergency Alert. First, the system issued a Tsunami Watch. Then, just a few minutes later, authorities upgraded the alert to an Extreme Tsunami Warning. Ultimately, the message was clear: Get off the beach. Now.

This alert, coupled with lifeguards racing down the sand on ATVs and shouting for everyone to leave, made the situation feel incredibly serious.

Back in my home state of Arizona, we residents are accustomed to emergency alerts for wildfires or flash floods; consequently, we have plans for these familiar hazards. But what happens when you’re a tourist in an unfamiliar place?

Here are my observations from experiencing a Hawaii tsunami evacuation as a visitor, which includes a unique perspective from my time on a military installation.

The Public Response: Confusion Meets Chaos

My work as an Emergency Manager in a high-risk wildfire area has put me on both the sending and receiving ends of evacuation orders. For this reason, what I saw in Hawaii was a startling study in contrasts.

On the Beach: A Lack of Urgency Despite the blaring phone alerts, most tourists on the beach seemed unfazed. For instance, kids were still swimming, and people continued to sunbathe. Even with a four-hour warning before the tsunami’s potential arrival, the general attitude remained, “What’s the rush?”

On the Roads: Gridlock and Panic In stark contrast to the apathy on the sand, the rest of the island reacted with urgency. As soon as we reached the main road, we found traffic at a standstill for miles, as it seemed everyone was trying to get to higher ground on the same highway. Frantic maneuvers quickly replaced the famous “Aloha” driving style, with drivers steering onto shoulders and motorcyclists weaving onto sidewalks.

At the Gas Stations: A Sign of Unpreparedness Furthermore, long lines of cars overwhelmed gas stations, snaking out into the streets and worsening the traffic. Some people frantically threw luggage into their vehicles. Ultimately, the purpose-driven pace made it clear that many residents were taking this seriously, while the sudden warning caught most tourists completely off guard.

In response, the state acted swiftly, pushing messages through the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS). Additionally, the Governor’s office held press conferences to provide directions, identify safer areas, and give updates on water levels and flight delays.

The Unique Challenge: Evacuating from a Military Base (MCBH)

Here’s where our story takes a unique turn. We were staying in guest cabins right on the beach at MCBH. After navigating the traffic back to the base, we received a call from lodging management informing us that a mandatory evacuation was in effect and that Military Police (MPs) would be coming to ensure compliance.

There was one problem, however: when we asked where we should evacuate to, the staff had no answer for us.

This is where clear communication becomes critical.

• Base on Lockdown: Base command completely closed MCBH to all incoming or outgoing traffic.
• Amenities Closed: In addition, they shut down all amenities, including restaurants, the PX, and other facilities.
• Information Blackout for Visitors: Most critically, the base provided no official guidance for visitors like us, even though our son received text updates from his chain of command (“Stay away from the beach, don’t do stupid things”).

Thankfully, our son secured permission from his leadership for us to wait in his barracks room—a place visitors are normally not allowed. We then spent the next five hours waiting for the gates and our lodging area to reopen. It was an exciting, if stressful, end to our trip for sure.

Key Takeaways: Tsunami Evacuation Tips for Tourists in Hawaii

As an Emergency Manager, I spend my time preparing residents for local disasters. This experience, however, made me realize the significant information gap for visitors. If you’re traveling to Hawaii or any coastal area, here’s how you can be prepared.

1. Stay Charged and Connected. Always keep your phone charged and ensure you have enabled emergency alerts, as this will be your first and most important source of information. Also, keep a portable battery pack with you.
2. Know Your Destination’s Hazards. Although we knew Hawaii was an island, we hadn’t researched tsunami evacuation zones or procedures. Therefore, you should take a few minutes before your trip to understand the potential risks where you’re staying.
3. Keep Your Car’s Gas Tank Half-Full. I do this out of habit, and it proved to be a lifesaver. This simple step allowed us to avoid the chaotic gas stations and focus on getting to a safe location.
4. Pack a “Go Bag” with Essentials. If officials ask you to leave your lodging, you may not be able to return for hours. For this reason, have a bag ready with essentials like identification, cash, a change of clothes, hygiene items, water, device chargers, and necessary medications.
5. Be Flexible. Travel requires adaptability, and our plans changed in an instant. Specifically, staying on a military installation added another layer of complexity. A calm, flexible mindset is your best tool in an emergency.

A Final Thought for Emergency Planners

We focus heavily on preparing our residents for disasters, but how much effort do we put into our visitors? Tourists, after all, are not signed up for local alerts and don’t know the hazards. We must consider how we can better communicate evacuation routes, shelter locations, and preparedness steps to those who are just visiting. It’s a challenge I’m certainly putting more thought into now.