Hawaii sits in the middle of the Pacific. That's like being the bullseye of a dartboard. Every earthquake from Japan to Chile sends waves straight to our shores.
The waves travel at 500 miles per hour. That's as fast as a jet. And they lose almost no energy over thousands of miles. The ocean is basically a giant slingshot.
But here's the fun part: You can't see a tsunami coming. From a boat, it looks like a small bump. Until it reaches shallow water—then it rears up like a monster rising from the deep. Cue the dramatic music.
How to Stay Alive (Without Being Boring)
First, don't panic. Panic makes you drop your phone. And your phone has the tsunami alert app. So keep calm.
Second, head to higher ground. In Hawaii, that means literally walking uphill. Waikiki? Go to Diamond Head. Hilo? Drive to the volcano. Easy peasy.
Third, bring snacks. If you're stuck on a hill for hours, you don't want to hangry. And a good playlist helps. Tsunami waiting parties are a thing. I'm not kidding.
