By Benjamin Finnerty (S), REALTOR® (RS-83812) with Keller Williams Realty Maui · Kīhei, Maui · 808-481-9748

Quick Answer: Before buying a Maui home or condo, check whether it sits in a Tsunami Evacuation Zone or the larger Extreme Tsunami Evacuation Zone on Maui County’s maps. On July 29, 2025, a magnitude 8.8 earthquake off Kamchatka, Russia, triggered a statewide tsunami warning, and Kahului recorded Hawaiʻi’s highest wave of that event, 5.7 feet.

I’m Benjamin Finnerty, a REALTOR® in Kīhei with Keller Williams Realty Maui, and here’s how Maui tsunami evacuation zones work and how I suggest buyers check them before writing an offer. Many of Maui’s most popular condo areas, including much of the Kīhei and West Maui shoreline, sit near the water, so this belongs on every coastal buyer’s checklist alongside flood zones and insurance.

This is general information, not tax, legal or insurance advice. Confirm with a CPA, Hawaiʻi attorney or licensed insurance agent.

What are Maui’s tsunami evacuation zones?

Maui County maps two zones. According to the Maui tsunami guide from the International Tsunami Information Center and Maui County:

Zone	Map marking	When you leave
Tsunami Evacuation Zone	Bold red outline	During a Tsunami Warning
Extreme Tsunami Evacuation Zone	Dotted yellow outline	During an Extreme Tsunami Warning

An Extreme Tsunami Warning may follow a magnitude 9-plus earthquake, which could leave about 4.5 hours before the first wave reaches Hawaiʻi, according to the same guide. During an evacuation, people in a zone move inland or uphill to areas outside the zones, which are shaded green on the County maps.

What happened on Maui during the July 2025 tsunami warning?

It was a real-world test. On Tuesday, July 29, 2025, a magnitude 8.8 earthquake struck off Kamchatka at 1:24 p.m. Hawaiʻi time, per the National Weather Service. Maui County reported that the warning was issued around 2:45 p.m. and that the Maui Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) ordered evacuations of the tsunami evacuation zones around 3:22 p.m.

According to Maui Now and the National Weather Service:

• Kahului recorded the highest wave in Hawaiʻi at 5.7 feet (1.74 meters), and officials observed a 15-foot drop in water levels at Kahului Harbor.
• The warning was downgraded to an advisory around 10:30 p.m., and the advisory was canceled at 8:58 a.m. on Wednesday, July 30.
• The County reported no damages or injuries, with minor flooding near Keālia Pond National Wildlife Refuge.

The takeaway for buyers: evacuation zones aren’t theoretical, and knowing a property’s zone tells you what you’d do, and how long it takes, if a warning comes.

Do Hawaiʻi sellers have to disclose tsunami zones?

Yes. Under HRS §508D-15, if residential property lies within an anticipated tsunami inundation area on Department of Defense maps, the seller must include that in the disclosure statement. The same section covers FEMA special flood hazard areas, airport noise areas and sea level rise exposure areas, subject to the availability of maps by tax map key.

The statute also says that when a large-scale map makes the boundary unclear, the ambiguity is construed in the seller’s favor if the seller made a good-faith effort. That’s why I suggest buyers look up the maps themselves too. My post on Hawaiʻi’s seller disclosure law explains the full disclosure process.

How do I look up a Maui property’s tsunami zone?

Start with the official maps. The Maui tsunami guide points to:

1. Maui County evacuation maps at mauicounty.gov/Emergency.
2. hawaiitsunami.org and tsunami.gov for statewide information and alerts.
3. MEMA alerts. Sign up for Maui County’s emergency alert system, and consider the Genasys Protect app, which MEMA used during the 2025 warning.

Then look up the flood zone separately, because a tsunami zone and a FEMA flood zone are different maps with different consequences. See what the December 11 NFIP deadline means for Maui flood insurance.

What about high-rise condos in a tsunami zone?

The Maui guide says vertical evacuation is an option only in buildings of at least 10 stories built of reinforced concrete, moving to the fourth floor or higher. If a building doesn’t meet that standard, evacuation means leaving the zone. If you’re buying a condo, ask the association whether it has an emergency plan and how guests in rental units are notified.

What are the natural warning signs of a tsunami?

A local tsunami can arrive before an official warning. The guide lists three signs: an earthquake so strong you can barely stand, the ocean receding or behaving unusually, and a loud roar like a jet or freight train. Any of these means move inland or uphill right away.

My Take: What I’m Telling Coastal Buyers

When I walk a property with a buyer, I look at the water meter, proximity to vacant land parcels, the general condition of the surrounding area, and ingress and egress, meaning how you get into and out of the area. For a coastal home or condo, that last item is the evacuation question: which road leads out of the zone, and how many other people use it.

My practical steps: pull up the County evacuation map before you tour, note the property’s zone and the nearest route out, and compare it with the FEMA flood zone and the seller’s disclosure. Then talk with your insurance agent early, since coastal exposure can affect what coverage costs. My post on Maui hurricane insurance after Lala, Lowell and Nolo covers the insurance side.

None of this means a coastal property is a bad buy. It means you buy it knowing the plan.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Kīhei in a tsunami evacuation zone?

It depends on the exact location. Zones are mapped by area, so check the specific address on Maui County’s evacuation maps rather than assuming either way.

What’s the difference between the two Maui tsunami zones?

The Tsunami Evacuation Zone (red) is evacuated during a Tsunami Warning. The larger Extreme Tsunami Evacuation Zone (yellow) is evacuated during an Extreme Tsunami Warning, which may follow a magnitude 9-plus earthquake.

How high was the 2025 tsunami on Maui?

Kahului recorded 5.7 feet on July 29, 2025, the highest in Hawaiʻi for that event, and the County reported no damages or injuries.

Does a seller have to tell me if a home is in a tsunami zone?

Yes, under HRS §508D-15, if it’s in a mapped tsunami inundation area, subject to map availability.

Ask Benjamin

If you’re comparing coastal condos or homes and want help checking zones, disclosures and routes before you make an offer, I’m glad to help. I’m Benjamin Finnerty, REALTOR® with Keller Williams Realty Maui in Kīhei. Call or text 808-481-9748 or email benjamin@the808team.com.

Sources: International Tsunami Information Center and Maui County tsunami guide (April 2025); National Weather Service ITIC event page, July 29, 2025 Kamchatka tsunami; Maui County news release (July 29, 2025); Maui Now (July 30, 2025); HRS §508D-15.