I'm sure you're aware of the recent earthquake in Chile that generated a tsunami or tidal wave alert in Hawaii.  Thousands were evacuated and retreated to higher ground on all the islands.  Fortunately, the waves that finally hit the islands were small and caused no damage.

"In 1960 there was another very strong earthquake off of Chile. Waves were estimated at about 80 feet at Chile. This set off many warnings in Hawaii which had several destructive tsunamis in its recent past. When this wave reached Tahiti it was reported to have only been a few feet. Many people hearing this went back to their homes in Hilo. When the waves did reach Hawaii they were up to 35 feet in Hilo many people were killed."
(http://www.splashofkauai.com/e/talk/news/03.html)

I was 8 yrs old that day in 1960 and Kauai, like all the islands were on tidal wave alert. My dad took me to see if we could help my uncle move his sampan that was docked in Nawiliwili harbor.  By the time we got to uncle's house, he had already taken his boat out to sea to ride out the waves.  My dad drove to the top of the hill overlooking the harbor and he said, "watch this."  I remember watching the water receding from the entire bay and being able to see the sea floor.  I also remember seeing a crazy guy chasing his trash can that had blown into the seabed.  Didn't he know the tidal wave was coming?  He caught his trash can and made it out of the seabed area safely.

Then the WAVE CAME IN!  It wasn't a HUGE crashing wave from where we were watching - it was just a lot of water that flowed into the harbor up to almost the top of the coconut trees! 

We then rushed to check on my grandmother and the rice farm.  Even though the farm was further inland, it was next to the Huleia river where they used to get their irrigation water.  The incoming water from the tidal wave pushed it's way all the way up the river and the river overflowed into the rice paddies.  Fortunately, Grandma was ok but there was nothing they could do to protect their rice crop. 

This past Saturday we were so relieved that there was no damage in Hawaii from the earthquake and everyone was safe.  However, please pray for the people in Chile as they deal with all the destruction caused by the earthquake and from the tsunami that hit their coast.

Aloha, Myron