Tsunami waves cause floods, damage boats

Montauk native Frank Forbes was among the Hawaii residents relieved Friday that a devastating earthquake in Japan did not bring massive tsunami waves to the Aloha State.

Forbes, who moved to Maui six years ago, spent the morning bracing for the worst. Last year, the Hawaiian Islands waited for hours after the Chile earthquake that was expected to bring a tsunami. No large waves materialized then.

This time, tsunami waves caused minor damage, swamping some Hawaiian beaches and shaking loose boats and tearing apart wooden docks in at least two California harbors, The Associated Press reported.

Water rushed up roadways and into hotel lobbies on the Big Island and low-lying areas in Maui were flooded as 7-foot waves crashed ashore, according to the AP.

"Maui Mall parking lot is all mud," Forbes said, rattling off a list of Kahului streets that were flooded. He said strong currents carried 60-pound rocks onto shore.

Soon after emergency sirens began blaring at 9 p.m. Thursday, long lines formed at gas stations and grocery stores. Coastal residents flocked to evacuation shelters and higher ground. Tourists in Waikiki were instructed to head to higher floors of hotels.

"All night long you could see headlights going up the mountain, people driving to higher ground," said Forbes, 44, who designs stand-up paddle surfboards.

Meanwhile on Long Island, Edmond "Moke" Young, worried about his family and friends. Originally from Kaneohe, Hawaii, he lives in Shirley.

Though Hawaii escaped destruction two years in a row, Young, 50, said the fear is "always in the back of your mind . . . Hawaii is the most isolated land mass on the globe."

Hawaii's emergency preparation can be a lesson for Long Islanders, Young said: "It's a heads up for everybody. It can happen even here."

Despite the stress that comes with a tsunami warning, Forbes said he isn't homesick for Suffolk County.

"I'd rather still deal with tsunamis than winter," he said with a laugh.