Pacific Tsunami Warning Center geophysicist Gerard Fryer defended the center’s handling of this morning’s tsunami.

"We called this right," Fryer said. "This evacuation was necessary. … This was the right thing to do."

The largest wave of 7 feet reached Kahului and Fryer said, "unquestionably there is damage in Kahului." 

The city’s Department of Emergency Management said the official "all clear" for Oahu will be issued "exclusively" by Mayor Peter Carlisle and will be broadcast over television and radio.

There is no siren sounding for an "all clear," city officials said.

Even after the "all clear" broadcast, residents will not be allowed to immediately return to coastal areas, city officials said.