Hanauma Bay remains closed Friday; most parks reopen

With the threat of a tsunami lifted, the state Thursday reopened its parks forest areas (including wildlife sanctuaries, natural area reserves and game management areas) on all islands.

However, the city kept Hanauma Bay closed on Thursday and Friday due to the possibility of hazardous currents following Wednesday’s 8.3 magnitude earthquake off the coast of Chile, a city official said. 

An assessment will be conducted on Saturday to determine whether or not the bay can be reopened for the weekend. Honolulu Ocean Safety and Lifeguard Services are closely monitoring wave activity in the bay. The visitor’s center, parking lot and lookouts on the upper level remain open to the public while the beach level is closed. 

All state coastal areas were closed because of possible strong currents and hazardous conditions following an 8.3 magnitude earthquake off the coast of Chile Wednesday.

On Kauai, the Jetty Road in Nawiliwili has been reopened. The roadway was closed at 6 p.m. Wednesday as a precautionary measure.

State small boat harbors remained open for boat owners who wanted to take their vessels out in anticipation of wave action that may last three to four hours between 3 a.m. and 7 a.m. Thursday.

The public is advised to avoid coastal waters, beaches, and rocky shorelines.

All Maui County beach parks reopened after the tsunami advisory was canceled.

Maui officials warned swimmers that sea level changes may change slightly and strong or unusual currents may persist for several additional hours in some coastal areas and caution should be exercised by boaters and swimmers.

A planned workshop on disaster preparedness scheduled for Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. in Waianae was been canceled due to the tsunami watch.

The free workshop will be rescheduled for next month, the Honolulu Department of Emergency Management said.

The Kipahulu campground at Haleakala National Park reopened at 8 a.m.