Hawaiʻi DOT Chief Warns on Traffic During Tsunami Alert

Rapid Response to Tsunami Warning Helps Restore Normalcy in Hawaii

On Tuesday, July 29, a tsunami warning prompted immediate action across the Hawaiian Islands, leading to overnight road closures. However, thanks to coordinated efforts by the military and the United States Coast Guard, roads and harbors were reopened by sunrise, allowing daily life to resume with minimal disruption.

Ed Sniffen, Director of the Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation, expressed relief at the swift recovery. “We’re really happy to be up and running,” he said. The Coast Guard played a critical role in inspecting and clearing the ports, ensuring that commercial activities could restart quickly.

“We started inspections at 5 a.m., cleared the landside by 6:30 a.m., and had all commercial ports open by 7:30 a.m.,” Sniffen explained. He emphasized the importance of the Coast Guard’s assistance, noting that no major damage was found during the inspections. “We’re checking everything for debris clearances, and thankfully, we didn’t see any big issues.”

In addition to port inspections, crews also checked bridges to ensure they were safe for use. “We’re making sure there’s nothing scarred or damaged,” Sniffen added.

The military also contributed significantly to the response. Sniffen praised the Navy and Army for opening Kolekole Pass, which helped ease traffic on the Leeward Coast. “Big shout out to the military. Huge help and huge partnership,” he said. He stressed the need for more emergency access roads in the future, as these routes proved essential during the crisis.

County leaders and state officials also played a key role in facilitating the quick response. “I really appreciate the counties and their leadership,” Sniffen said. “Governor Green made sure we could coordinate with all of our approaches to protect the public.”

Despite the successful coordination, travelers faced significant challenges on the roads. Gridlock caused travel times to extend into hours, with many struggling to move through Oahu’s freeways. Governor Josh Green addressed the situation, acknowledging the difficulties but explaining the reasoning behind the alerts.

“So there are challenges there. The reason why we stagger the alerts is so that people take them seriously but also they’re very well thought out,” Gov. Green explained. “That means yes, we give a lot of warning, yes, there’s going to be a lot of traffic.”

Business owners reported similar frustrations. Don Murphy, owner of Murphy’s Bar & Grill, noted that his bar became a popular spot for people who preferred sitting inside rather than waiting in traffic. Employees sent home from work faced long commutes, with some taking three hours to return home for a trip that usually took less than 15 minutes.

“I think in the future, when AI is more prevalent and there’s more coordination with traffic and travel, I wouldn’t be surprised if our technology helps us with that problem,” Gov. Green said.

He also highlighted the trade-off between traffic congestion and safety. “Imagine what would happen if we did one hour out? We’d be in gridlock and people would be stuck in their cars near the water,” he said. “So, it’s unfortunately a necessary evil of one of these events.”

Fudge Kozuki, owner of Vim & Vigor in Ala Moana Shopping Center, shared similar experiences. Her employee described a two-hour drive out of the Ala Moana parking garage, followed by another two hours to reach home. With many people being sent home from work, evacuating to higher ground, and rushing to stock up on supplies, roads were heavily congested.

Some even chose to walk to safety instead of enduring long waits in their vehicles. This decision underscored the urgency of the situation and the need for better traffic management systems in the future.

As the islands continue to recover, the collaborative efforts of emergency responders, government officials, and the community have proven vital in minimizing the impact of the tsunami warning. While challenges remain, the experience has highlighted the importance of preparedness and cooperation in times of crisis.