Strong M6.0 earthquake hits the Island of Hawai’i, Hawai’i

The epicenter was located 13 km (8 miles) S of Honaunau-Napoopoo (population 2 567), 37 km (23 miles) SSE of Kailua-Kona (population 11 975), and 90 km (56 miles) WSW of Hilo (population 43 263), Hawaii.

1 000 people are estimated to have felt very strong shaking, 12 000 strong, 56 000 moderate, 210 000 light and 102 000 weak.

Based on all available data, there is no tsunami threat from this earthquake, PTWC said.

The USGS issued a Green alert for shaking-related fatalities and a Yellow alert for economic losses. There is a low likelihood of casualties.

Some damage is possible and the impact should be relatively localized. Estimated economic losses are less than 1% of GDP of the United States. Past events with this alert level have required a local or regional level response.

Overall, the population in this region resides in structures that are resistant to earthquake shaking, though vulnerable structures exist. The predominant vulnerable building types are unreinforced brick masonry and reinforced masonry construction.

Recent earthquakes in this area have caused secondary hazards such as landslides that might have contributed to losses.

Update

15:30 UTC, May 24

The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) said the earthquake’s depth, location and recorded seismic waves were consistent with stress from bending of the oceanic plate under the weight of the Hawaiian island chain, not direct volcanic processes. The observatory said strong to very strong shaking was reported on the west side of Hawaiʻi Island, where light to moderate infrastructure damage was possible.

Hawaiʻi County opened damage reporting for residents and businesses after the earthquake, intended to help identify priorities and focus resources if state or federal disaster assistance becomes available.

The county said temporary road closures occurred because of rockslides and debris on Highway 11, Nāpōʻopoʻo Road and Miloliʻi Road, and that all roads had reopened, with debris piles possibly remaining along roadsides until removal was complete.

Hawaiian Electric reported at 10:00 HST on May 23 that about 70 of the 1 000 customers who lost power during the earthquake remained without electricity while crews completed repairs. In its 17:00 HST update, the utility said electricity had been restored to the remaining South Kona customers affected by the earthquake.

Hawaiʻi Public Radio reported that debris was cleared from Highway 11 between Captain Cook and Ocean View and from Nāpōʻopoʻo Road in Captain Cook. The outlet also reported that bridge inspections were planned under standard earthquake procedures and that Kona Hospital sustained minor damage, with no interruption to medical services.

Several aftershocks followed the mainshock, most below M3. HVO said aftershocks may continue in the coming days, but are unlikely to be large enough to be felt or cause damage.

Estimated population exposure to earthquake shaking

Selected cities exposed

Regional seismicity

References:

¹ M6.0 earthquake 12 km S of Honaunau-Napoopoo, Hawaii – USGS – May 23, 2026

² M6.0 earthquake Island of Hawaii, Hawaii – EMSC – May 23, 2026

³ M6.0 earthquake, Hawaii – PTWC – May 23, 2026

Teo Blašković

I'm a dedicated researcher, journalist, and editor at The Watchers. With over 20 years of experience in the media industry, I specialize in hard science news, focusing on extreme weather, seismic and volcanic activity, space weather, and astronomy, including near-Earth objects and planetary defense strategies. You can reach me at teo /at/ watchers.news.

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