Hawaii

Hawaii museum lays off entire staff, at risk of closing for good

Published

1 year ago

December 28, 2024

Hawaii museum lays off entire staff, at risk of closing for good

Located in downtown Hilo in a historic art deco building, the Pacific Tsunami Museum fronts Hilo Bay, where past tsunamis devastated the town.

Courtesy Pacific Tsunami Museum

Tsunamis have killed more people in Hawaii than any other form of natural disaster, yet basic tsunami education — from signs of an approaching one to what to do when it comes — is severely lacking in the Islands. Located in downtown Hilo on the Island of Hawaii, the Pacific Tsunami Museum was initially founded 30 years ago to fill that void — a hub for education and awareness that contends “no one should die due to a tsunami.” The museum is filled with photos and videos of tsunamis that have hit Hawaii and other parts of the Pacific, along with a large archive of firsthand interviews with survivors.

Now, it’s at risk of closing its doors for good.

Earlier this month, the Pacific Tsunami Museum laid off all 10 of its employees and suspended operations. Former staff are now volunteering their time to keep the doors open on a reduced schedule.

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“We have several problems,” Walter Dudley told SFGATE. Dudley co-founded the museum with tsunami survivor Jeanne Johnston in 1994 to educate residents and visitors about the natural disaster and to serve as a living memorial to those who lost their lives.

The museum is filled with exhibits, sharing the history of major tsunami events in the Islands and across the Pacific.
Courtesy Pacific Tsunami Museum

The museum’s 100-year-old historic building, which was donated to the organization in 1997, is expensive to maintain. “The AC died and cost us way outside our budget,” Dudley said. “The roof sprung a leak and we used our entire supplemental budget to fix that and clear up mold because, you know, Hilo is on the rainy side.”

Dudley doesn’t want to see the museum close completely. “Sadly, that’s one possibility,” he said. “I mean, we all hope that doesn’t happen, but unless we get some, you know, some serious help for the issues that we do have, that’s the worst-case scenario.”

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The museum needs monetary donations to fix up the building and to pay the staff so that it can reopen. “As the years go by, a lot of survivors who were many of our biggest supporters have passed away,” Dudley continued. “They’re no longer around, and that actually makes our mission all that much important because people tend to forget that tsunamis are a true and present danger in Hawaii.”

The last deadly Hawaii tsunami was in 1975, when an earthquake off the coast of the Island of Hawaii generated large waves within seconds that killed two people. In 1960, a tsunami resulting from a 9.5 Chilean earthquake killed 61 people in Hilo.

The deadliest tsunami to hit Hawaii in modern history was on April 1, 1946, when a magnitude 8.6 earthquake in the Aleutian Islands off Alaska triggered a tsunami with waves reaching heights of 55 feet. At least 159 people were killed throughout the Hawaiian island chain. The greatest loss of life was in Hilo, where an estimated 96 people died.

On April 1, 1946, in downtown Hilo, people are running from the third wave, estimated to be 30 feet high.
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Courtesy Pacific Tsunami Museum

Because there are spans of years between major tsunami events, education is important to remind people of Hawaii’s tsunami history and risks — and to take them seriously.

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“There’s an apathy around knowing and believing it will happen again. And it will happen again. It absolutely will,” Cindi Preller, director of the Pacific Tsunami Museum, told SFGATE. “The earth’s tectonics don’t change. It’s just unpredictable, it’s unknowable. And for the local tsunami, it can arrive in just a few minutes, so it’s really, really, really important that people know nature’s warning signs as well as the official warning signs.”

The Pacific Tsunami Museum’s mission is to educate the public about the dangers of tsunamis and to serve as a living memorial for those who have died.
Courtesy Pacific Tsunami Museum

Preller, who is now working as a volunteer alongside her staff, said visitor numbers were fine but building repairs have set them back. “If we were going to really restore this building, that would cost millions,” she said.

Through it all, Preller remains focused on the mission of the museum. She wants to revitalize the space and would like to see a new generation come in and help rebuild and do new things with the exhibits.

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“We need to strategically plan and create,” she said. “We just need to really revitalize and shake things up and create a plan so that we never ever have to shutter again.”

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Hawaii

Hawaii’s most active volcano Kilauea brewing as experts forecast 44th eruption in coming days

Published

2 hours ago

April 5, 2026

Press Room

Hawaii’s most active volcano Kilauea brewing as experts forecast 44th eruption in coming days

Hawaii’s most active and popular volcano, Kilauea, is preparing to put on a show as geologists forecast the volcano’s 44th eruption in the coming days.

The United States Geological Survey said that precursory eruption activity is occurring as the active volcano prepares to erupt – one of Earth’s most captivating natural spectacles.

According to the USGS, the forecast for the start of episode 44 is between April 6 to April 14.

On Saturday morning, the south vent overflowed at 6:11 a.m. HST, with lava flowing from the south vent at least 10 times through small dome fountains.

One of the most active volcanoes in the world, Kilauea has been erupting episodically within its summit caldera since December 23, 2024 – and is preparing to do so for the 44th time in the coming days.

Eruption episodes at Kilauea typically last from a few hours to one day, with some lasting up to 8 ½ days of lava flow.

When the volcano comes alive, it is a sight to behold.

According to the USGS, the forecast for the start of episode 44 is between April 6 to April 14. USGS

Fountains of red to yellow lava shoot more than 1,000 feet in the air out of boiling lakes of lava – a scene that annually attracts crowds of tourists to Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park to witness the phenomenon.

For those fortunate enough to witness a Kilauea eruption, the natural spectacle is as dangerous as it is mesmerizing.

According to the USGS, the volcano lets off threatening hazardous gases, especially to those with heart or respiratory issues, infants, children and pregnant women.

Live view of Halemaʻumaʻu crater at Kīlauea volcano, Hawaii, with steam rising from a vent. — On Saturday morning, the south vent overflowed at 6:11 a.m. HST, with lava flowing from the south vent at least 10 times through small dome fountains. USGS

When the volcano is erupting, unsafe ash is abrasive and can irritate eyes, skin and the respiratory system.

Can’t make the trip to Hawaii to witness the 44th episode? Don’t worry.

The USGS operates several live webcams at Kilauea, streaming continuously on their website—stay tuned for any signs of eruption. You won’t want to miss it.

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Hawaii

Hawaii’s Kilauea volcano is brewing yet again, preparing to put on a show for it’s 44th episode

Published

14 hours ago

April 4, 2026

Press Room

Hawaii’s Kilauea volcano is brewing yet again, preparing to put on a show for it’s 44th episode

VOLCANO, Hawaii – Hawaii’s most active and popular volcano, Kilauea, is preparing to put on a show as geologists forecast the volcano’s 44th eruption in the coming days.

The United States Geological Survey said that precursory eruption activity is occurring as the active volcano prepares to erupt – one of Earth’s most captivating natural spectacles.

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According to the USGS, the forecast for the start of episode 44 is between April 6 to April 14.

On Saturday morning, the south vent overflowed at 6:11 a.m. HST, with lava flowing from the south vent at least 10 times through small dome fountains.

Eruption episodes at Kilauea typically last from a few hours to one day, with some lasting up to 8 ½ days of lava flow.

April Skywatching Guide: See The First Full Moon Of Spring, Spot Mercury, Marvel At A Meteor Shower And More

When the volcano comes alive, it is a sight to behold. Fountains of red to yellow lava shoot more than 1,000 feet in the air out of boiling lakes of lava – a scene that annually attracts crowds of tourists to Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park to witness the phenomenon.

For those fortunate enough to witness a Kilauea eruption, the natural spectacle is as dangerous as it is mesmerizing. According to the USGS, the volcano lets off threatening hazardous gases, especially to those with heart or respiratory issues, infants, children and pregnant women. When the volcano is erupting, unsafe ash is abrasive and can irritate eyes, skin and the respiratory system.

Can’t make the trip to Hawaii to witness the 44th episode? Don’t worry. The USGS operates several live webcams at Kilauea, streaming continuously on their website—stay tuned for any signs of eruption. You won’t want to miss it.

Original article source: Hawaii’s Kilauea volcano is brewing yet again, preparing to put on a show for it’s 44th episode

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Hawaii

Mikee Quintos, Heaven Peralejo go on beach trip in Hawaii

Published

1 day ago

April 4, 2026

Press Room

Mikee Quintos, Heaven Peralejo go on beach trip in Hawaii

Published April 4, 2026 6:23pm

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Mikee Quintos and Heaven Peralejo are having some tropical fun in Hawaii!

On Instagram, Heaven shared photos from their beach getaway off the coast of Honolulu, along with snaps of them exploring the city.

“From Hawaii with love,” Heaven wrote.

In a separate Instagram post, Mikee also posted a photo of them eating in a restaurant in Oahu.

Mikee and Heaven have been spending time together lately, often traveling side by side. Prior to their Honolulu trip, the two travelled to Siargao, where they enjoyed free diving.

Mikee most recently starred in “Encantadia Chronicles: Sang’gre” as Lira.

In 2025, she graduated from college after 10 years.