Tsunami warning downgraded in Hawaii, but dangers remain. What tourists should know.
Tsunami warning downgraded in Hawaii, but dangers remain. What tourists should know.

Tsunami warning downgraded in Hawaii, but dangers remain. What tourists should know.

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Tsunami advisory dropped in Hawaii, but dangers remain. What tourists should know.

The tsunami advisory for Hawaii has been dropped, but travelers shouldn’t rush back to the beach just yet. All airports are resuming regular operations. Most major airlines are offering impacted customers the chance to rebook existing flights without penalty. Norwegian Cruise Line’s Pride of America was forced to leave Hilo, Hawaii, at 4 p.m. local time on July 29 – two hours earlier than planned – the company said. The vessel remains at sea pending a safety assessment of Hilo Harbor in the early morning of July 30, 2025 local Hawaii time, the company added.“Before departure, all guests were notified via SMS and advised to seek higher ground and follow instructions from local authorities if they were unable to return to the ship in time for its departure,” Norwegian said.

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The tsunami advisory for Hawaii has been dropped, but travelers shouldn’t rush back to the beach just yet.

Officials are “warning residents and visitors of sea-level changes and strong currents along all coasts that may be hazardous to swimmers, boaters, and people near the shore at beaches, harbors, and marinas” through July 30, the Hawaii Visitors & Convention Bureau said in a statement. All airports are resuming regular operations.

Evacuation orders have been lifted, but residents and visitors are urged to remain cautious near the coast.

Here’s what travelers in Hawaii or heading there soon should know.

Which states felt impact of tsunami? See list

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Airline travel waivers

Most major airlines are offering impacted customers the chance to rebook existing flights without penalty.

American Airlines’ waiver applies to flights to, from and through Honolulu, Kahului (Maui), Kona and Lihue (Kauai) as well Tokyo through July 31.

Delta Air Lines isn’t offering a flat waiver, but is working with impacted travelers on a case-by-case basis.

Hawaiian Airlines’ waiver applies to flights to and from Honolulu, Kahului (Maui), Kona and Lihue (Kauai) through July 30.

Southwest Airlines’ waiver applies to flight to, from and through Hilo on the island of Hawaii, Honolulu, Kahului (Maui), Kona and Lihue (Kauai) through July 30.

United Airlines’ Waiver applies to airports in Honolulu, Kahului (Maui), Kona and Lihuʻe (Kauai) through July 30.

Travelers should reach out to their airlines about rescheduling if needed.

Park operations

Hawaii’s Department of Land and Natural Resources posted the July 29 tsunami warning on its webpages for Diamond Head State Monument in Oahu and Waimea Canyon State Park in Kauai. Visitors were urged to monitor conditions, but no closures were mentioned.

Haleakalā National Park on Maui didn’t have any tsunami-related closures listed as of July 30.

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park closed its coastal areas on the Big Island on July 29. “Chain of Craters Road is closed past Kealakomo to all use until further notice,” the park posted on X.

Pearl Harbor National Monument’s website said its Oahu visitor center and USS Arizona memorial programs were running as scheduled.

Tourists may want to confirm operations for any destinations they plan to visit in Hawaii on July 30, just in case.

Norwegian reroutes cruise ship

Norwegian Cruise Line’s Pride of America ship was forced to leave Hilo, Hawaii, at 4 p.m. local time on July 29 – two hours earlier than planned – the company said.

“Before departure, all guests were notified via SMS and advised to seek higher ground and follow instructions from local authorities if they were unable to return to the ship in time for its departure,” Norwegian told USA TODAY in an emailed statement. “Guests participating in NCL shore excursions were brought directly to a local high school, a designated safe location in Hilo, where refreshments were provided for their comfort and well-being.”

The vessel remains at sea pending a safety assessment of Hilo Harbor. “This assessment is scheduled to take place in the early morning of July 30, 2025 local Hawaii time, at which point our guests will reboard the ship,” Norwegian added.

(This story has been updated with new information.)

Source: Usatoday.com | View original article

Source: https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/2025/07/30/hawaii-tsunami-travel-flights-parks/85375000007/

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