All flights in and out of Hawaii were suspended Tuesday night, July 29, 2025, after a tsunami warning followed a massive earthquake off Russia’s Far East coast. The shutdown affected Honolulu’s Daniel K. Inouye International Airport, Kona, Maui, Kauai, and Hilo airports, stranding travelers and causing widespread delays. By the morning of July 30, flights resumed, but disruptions and delays continued as airlines and officials worked to restore normal operations.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center issued a statewide tsunami warning for Hawaii after an 8.8-magnitude earthquake struck at 3:22 p.m. HST on July 29. The first tsunami waves were expected to reach Maui at 7:17 p.m. and Kauai at 7:10 p.m. Evacuations began across all tsunami evacuation zones, with shelters opening on every island. Kahului Harbor saw a dramatic 15-foot water drop as the tsunami approached, and wave gauges recorded heights of 4.9 feet in Hilo and 4 feet in Kahului.
Immediate Impact on Air Travel
All commercial flights in and out of Hawaii were suspended Tuesday night, including at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL), Kona (KOA), Maui’s Kahului (OGG), Kauai’s Lihue (LIH), and Hilo International Airport (ITO). Flights already en route to Hawaii were diverted or sent back to their origin cities, including Los Angeles, Vancouver, San Francisco, and San Diego. At Honolulu’s Daniel K. Inouye International Airport, over 110 flights were delayed or canceled, affecting major airlines such as Hawaiian, Southwest, Alaska, Delta, United, and American. Kahului Airport saw nearly 50 delays and cancellations, with about 200 people sheltering in the terminal overnight. Kona reported 34 delays and cancellations, especially impacting Alaska and Southwest Airlines. Lihue had 26 delays and cancellations, with Alaska canceling a quarter of its scheduled service. Hilo canceled 15 flights, with half of Southwest’s and over a third of Hawaiian’s flights affected.
Resumption and Ongoing Disruptions
The tsunami warning was downgraded to an advisory at 10:38 p.m. HST, and evacuation orders were lifted for Maui County at 11:05 p.m. Residents were allowed to return home, and airlines began to resume operations. Hawaiian Airlines restarted flights late Tuesday night, while Alaska Airlines resumed on Wednesday morning. Both airlines issued travel waivers for July 29–30, allowing free changes or cancellations. Other airlines, including Southwest, Delta, United, and American, also offered flexible change policies, though details varied.
As of July 30, airports are open and flights are resuming, but delays and cancellations continue as airlines clear backlogs and reposition aircraft. Travelers are strongly advised to check their flight status with their airline before heading to the airport. Flexible rebooking policies remain in effect for all major carriers, and travelers should use these options if their plans are affected.
Policy Changes and Practical Steps for Travelers
Hawaiian Airlines and Alaska Airlines have issued travel waivers for all flights to, from, or within Hawaii for July 29–30, allowing free changes or cancellations. Other airlines have implemented similar flexible change policies. Travelers stranded at airports were directed to shelters or allowed to stay in terminals until flights resumed. Emergency management agencies worked closely with airlines and port authorities to ensure public safety and orderly evacuations.
If you are affected by these disruptions, follow these steps:
1. Check your flight status directly with your airline before going to the airport.
2. If your flight is canceled or delayed, use the airline’s website or customer service to rebook or request a refund under the current waiver policy.
3. If stranded at the airport, follow instructions from airport staff about shelter options or rebooking help.
4. Monitor official updates from the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, Hawaii Emergency Management Agency (HIEMA), and your airline for the latest information.
Impact on Ports and Cruise Ships
Commercial ports were secured, and all commercial vessels were ordered to evacuate Hawaiian ports. Cruise ships, including Norwegian’s Pride of America and Oceania Regatta, left early, leaving some passengers ashore. Emergency management agencies coordinated with airlines and port authorities to keep the public safe and manage evacuations.
Official Statements and Stakeholder Responses
Governor Josh Green gave several press briefings, confirming the initial suspension of all flights, the downgrading of the tsunami warning, and the phased reopening of airports. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center provided wave height data and coordinated with state agencies. The Hawaii Emergency Management Agency and Maui Emergency Management Agency led evacuation and reentry orders, working with airlines and ports. Airline spokespeople from Hawaiian Airlines and Alaska Airlines issued public statements on operational status and passenger waivers.
Quantitative Data and Statistics
- Earthquake magnitude: 8.8, one of the strongest ever recorded in the region.
- Wave heights: 4.9 feet in Hilo, 4 feet in Kahului.
- Flight disruptions: Over 110 at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport, 50 at Kahului, 34 at Kona, 26 at Lihue, 15 at Hilo.
- Evacuations: Statewide for all tsunami evacuation zones, with shelters opened across all islands.
8.8-magnitude earthquake struck
First tsunami waves expected to reach Kauai
First tsunami waves expected to reach Maui
Tsunami warning downgraded to advisory
Flights resumed, but delays continued
Background and Context
Tsunami warnings for Hawaii are rare but have happened after major Pacific earthquakes in 2011, 2018, and 2022. The 2025 event stands out for the scale of travel disruption and the rapid, coordinated response by state and federal agencies. Air travel to Hawaii is highly centralized, with most interisland and mainland flights going through Daniel K. Inouye International Airport, Kona, Kahului, Lihue, and Hilo. This makes a statewide suspension especially severe for travelers and the local economy.
Future Outlook
Flight operations are expected to return to normal over the next 24–48 hours as airlines clear backlogs and move aircraft back into place. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center and HIEMA continue to watch for aftershocks or new tsunami threats. Travel waivers may be extended if more disruptions happen, so travelers should keep checking airline and official government channels for updates. Cruise ship schedules have changed, and some passengers are still waiting to reboard.
Official Resources
Travelers should use official resources for the latest updates:
– Hawaii Emergency Management Agency (HIEMA)
– Pacific Tsunami Warning Center: ptwc.weather.gov
– Daniel K. Inouye International Airport: hawaii.gov/hnl
– Hawaiian Airlines: hawaiianairlines.com
– Alaska Airlines: alaskaair.com
– Southwest Airlines: southwest.com
Check these sites for updates and contact airline customer service for rebooking or waiver details.
Multiple Perspectives and Analysis
Airline industry analysts say the quick, coordinated suspension and restart of flights kept travelers safe but created big challenges for airlines and passengers. Emergency management experts point to the success of Hawaii’s evacuation plans and the importance of real-time teamwork between aviation, maritime, and emergency agencies. Travelers and tourism businesses are frustrated by the disruption but understand the need for strong action given the possible danger.
Summary Table: Key Impacts by Airport (July 29–30, 2025)
| Airport (Code) | Status During Warning | Delays/Cancellations | Current Status (July 30) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Honolulu (HNL) | All flights suspended | 110+ | Resumed, delays remain | Main hub, major backlog |
| Kahului (OGG) | All flights suspended | ~50 | Resumed, delays remain | 200+ sheltered in terminal |
| Kona (KOA) | All flights suspended | 34 | Resumed, delays remain | Alaska/Southwest impact |
| Lihue (LIH) | All flights suspended | 26 | Resumed, delays remain | 25% Alaska canceled |
| Hilo (ITO) | All flights suspended | 15 | Resumed, delays remain | Half Southwest, 1/3 Hawaiian canceled |
In summary, Hawaii’s air travel system faced a rare, full shutdown due to a tsunami warning on July 29, 2025. Operations are resuming, but travelers should expect ongoing delays and check with airlines for the latest information. Flexible rebooking options are available, and emergency agencies continue to monitor the situation. According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, the coordinated response helped protect travelers and minimize confusion, but the event highlights the need for strong emergency plans in places like Hawaii that depend on air travel.
Learn Today
Tsunami Warning → Official alert indicating potential dangerous tsunami following an earthquake or seismic event.
Daniel K. Inouye International Airport → Main airport in Honolulu, central hub for Hawaii’s interisland and mainland flights.
Travel Waiver → Policy allowing passengers to change or cancel flights without fees during disruptions.
Pacific Tsunami Warning Center → US agency that monitors seismic events to issue tsunami alerts for Pacific regions.
Flight Diversion → Redirecting an in-flight aircraft to a different airport due to emergency or disruption.
This Article in a Nutshell
Hawaii’s air travel halted July 29 by tsunami warning after massive 8.8 quake off Russia. Airports shut, flights canceled, and shelters opened statewide. Operations resumed July 30, but delays continue. Travelers must check flight status and use flexible change policies amid ongoing disruptions and safety measures.
— By VisaVerge.com
