image courtesy Pacific Tsunami Warning Center

UPDATE (1:15 a.m.) – The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center has cancelled the Tsunami Watch for the State and Island of Hawaii. “Based on available data, there is no tsunami threat to the State and island of Hawaii,” a 1:15 a.m. civil defense message stated. “I say again, based on available data, there is no tsunami threat to the State and Island of Hawaii.”

(ORIGINAL POST) – A Tsunami Watch is in effect for the State of Hawaii following the Magnitude 8.2 earthquake off the Gulf of Alaska that occurred at 11:32 p.m.

“Based on all available data a tsunami may have been generated by this earthquake that could be destructive on coastal areas even far from the epicenter,” the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center wrote. “An investigation is underway to determine if there is a tsunami threat to Hawaii.”

If tsunami waves impact Hawaii, the PTWC estimated the earliest arrival of the first tsunami wave is 4:23 a.m. HST on Tuesday (Jan. 23)

UPDATE (12:46 a.m.) – From Hawaii County Civil Defense:

Hawaii County Civil Defense
on January 23, 2018

This is a Civil Defense Message for Tuesday, January 23 at 12:40 AM.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center has issued an Tsunami Watch for that State and Island of Hawaii.

An earthquake with a magnitude of 8.2 has occurred near the Gulf of Alaska.

A tsunami watch is issued when an earthquake occurs that may generate a tsunami.

The Pacfic Tsunami Warning Center is assessing if a tsunami has been generated.

It is not known, I say again, it is not known at this time if a tsunami has been generated.

If a tsunami has been generated, the estimated time of arrival for the first wave is on Tuesday, at 4:15 AM Hawaii standard time.

It is not known, I say again, it is not known at this time if a tsunami has been generated.

You will be informed as conditions change.

This is your Hawaii County Civil Defense Agency.

Further messages will be issued hourly or sooner as conditions warrant until the threat to Hawaii has passed, officials say.