Big Island of Hawaii rattled by 5.7 magnitude earthquake

According to the U.S. Geological Survey, a 5.7 magnitude earthquake hit the Big Island of Hawaii on Friday. Reports indicate some shaking was felt as far as 200 miles away in Honolulu.

The quake, which occurred around 10 a.m. local time, was centered 11 miles south of Naalehu, Hawaii, at a depth of 6 miles. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center stated that there was no tsunami warning issued.

Residents in Honolulu on the island of Oahu reported feeling tremors, as recorded on the USGS Did You Feel It? page. Following the main quake, several aftershocks were felt in the same area.

As of now, there have been no immediate reports of significant damage.

Big Island Mayor Mitch Roth, who happened to be in Honolulu for a cardiologist appointment, described his experience during the earthquake. "All of a sudden I felt like I was getting dizzy," he recounted, initially attributing it to the medical procedure. However, he soon realized it was actually an earthquake. Acting swiftly, he contacted his emergency management officials.

"We'll probably start hearing about damage in the next hour to an hour," Mayor Roth stated, emphasizing the significant impact of the earthquake. He also reassured that there was no imminent tsunami threat.

Roth mentioned his plan to head to the Honolulu airport to secure an earlier flight back to the Big Island.

Julia Neal, owner of Pahala Plantation Cottages, reported minor damage, noting that a mirror and brass lamp fell due to the forceful shaking. She described the rattling of the old wooden plantation homes as quite loud.

Derek Nelson, manager of the Kona Canoe Club restaurant in the Kona Inn Shopping Village, shared that although everyone felt the earthquake intensely, there was no visible damage. "I mean, it shook us bad to where it wobbled some knees a little bit. It shook all the windows in the village," he remarked.