Evacuation Guide

Honolulu, Hawaii Evacuation Routes

Plan your escape with optimized routes and safe zones

Threat Assessment

Tsunami

Pacific Rim earthquakes generate tsunami threats regularly. Local tsunami from underwater landslide possible with 10-15 min warning. Distant tsunami from Alaska/Japan allows 4-5 hours.

Hurricane

Central Pacific hurricanes threaten Hawaii June-November. Hurricane Lane (2018) and Iniki (1992) demonstrated destructive potential.

Volcanic Ash

Distant volcanic eruptions on Big Island rarely affect Oahu, but Kilauea vog can reach Honolulu during Kona wind events.

Flood

Heavy tropical rain causes flash flooding in valleys (Manoa, Palolo, Kalihi). Dam failures are a concern.

Earthquake

Oahu has lower seismic risk than Big Island, but M5+ earthquakes can occur and damage older buildings.

Evacuation Routes

H-1 West to Ewa Beach / Kapolei

primary

Primary westbound evacuation via H-1 freeway to the Ewa Plain and Kapolei. Moves away from Waikiki toward higher ground and less-developed areas.

20 miles to Kapolei30 min (normal), 1.5-3 hours (evacuation)

H-1 is chronically congested - use contraflow lanes if activated

This route moves TOWARD Pearl Harbor naval base (military staging area)

Hurricane

Urban Disaster

Civil Unrest

H-1 East to Hawaii Kai

primary

Eastbound evacuation via H-1 through Kahala to Hawaii Kai. Access to Hanauma Bay area and eastern Oahu.

12 miles to Hawaii Kai25 min (normal), 1-2 hours (evacuation)

Eastern Oahu is a dead end - no through route past Makapuu

Low-lying marina areas vulnerable to tsunami

Urban Fire

Civil Unrest

Industrial Accident

H-2 North to North Shore

secondary

Northern evacuation via H-2 through Mililani and Wahiawa to the North Shore. Provides access to rural Oahu.

30 miles to Haleiwa45 min (normal), 2-4 hours (evacuation)

North Shore is LOW GROUND - not suitable for tsunami evacuation

H-2 connects to H-1 at Pearl City - expect congestion at merge

Urban Disaster

Industrial Accident

Volcanic Ash

H-3 to Windward Side (Kaneohe)

secondary

Eastern evacuation via H-3 through the Koolau Mountains to Kaneohe on the windward coast. Dramatic tunnel route through mountains.

15 miles to Kaneohe20 min (normal), 1-2 hours (evacuation)

H-3 tunnels may close during earthquake or structural concern

Windward side receives more rain - flooding possible

Urban Fire

Chemical Spill

Industrial Accident

Ala Wai Canal to High Ground (Tantalus)

foot

On-foot route from Waikiki/downtown up to high ground via Tantalus Drive. Critical for tsunami evacuation - vertical escape.

3 miles to Tantalus (1,600 ft elevation)1.5-2.5 hours on foot (steep climb)

TSUNAMI EVACUATION: go UP, not out - vertical evacuation is primary strategy on islands

Steep climb - not suitable for mobility-impaired without assistance

Tsunami Warning

Flood

Storm Surge

Diamond Head High Ground Route

foot

Foot route to Diamond Head crater for high ground refuge east of Waikiki. 762-foot summit provides safety from tsunami inundation.

2 miles from Waikiki to summit1-1.5 hours on foot

Steep trail with stairs - challenging but achievable for most fitness levels

762 ft summit is well above tsunami inundation zone

Tsunami Warning

Storm Surge

Flood

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Safe Zones & Rally Points

Hawaii Convention Center (Emergency Shelter)

shelter • Capacity: 5,000

Queen's Medical Center

hospital • Capacity: 575

Straub Medical Center

hospital • Capacity: 159

Tripler Army Medical Center

hospital • Capacity: 227

Honolulu Fire Station 7 (Waikiki)

fire station

Kapiolani Park

rally point

Aloha Stadium (former site) / Halawa Area

rally point

Daniel K. Inouye International Airport

resource

Tantalus / Round Top (High Ground)

rally point

Diamond Head Summit

rally point

Pearl Harbor Naval Station

resource

Schofield Barracks

resource

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