Some damage possible from strong to very strong shaking reported from magnitude-6.0 quake : Big Island Now
This story was updated at 12:37 a.m. Saturday, May 23, 2026.
Officials with Hawaiʻi County and Hawaiian Volcano Observatory report that some light to moderate damage could be possible as a result of strong to very strong shaking from a large earthquake that struck shortly before 10 p.m. Friday, May 22, on the west flank of Mauna Loa volcano on the Big Island.
The public also was advised to avoid portions of two West Hawaiʻi roadways late Friday night and into early Saturday morning, May 23, so crews could clean up large rocks and debris that fell onto the roadways as a result of the strong temblor.
U.S. Geological Survey reported a magnitude-6.0 earthquake rattled low and slow for at least a minute at 9:46 p.m. Friday, May 22, striking about 7.5 miles south of Hōnaunau-Nāpōʻopoʻo at a depth of just greater than 15 miles on the west side of the Big Island.
Courtesy Map: U.S. Geological Survey earthquake website
There were more than 2,660 “Felt Reports” within the first hour after the quake, the farthest reported by that time from Wahiawā, Oʻahu — about 206 miles from where the quake struck on the Big Island.
At least one person not among the “Felt Reports” reported feeling the temblor from farther away.
“Yo! I felt that earthquake here on Kauaʻi!!! Has to be bigger than 5.9!” said a Kauaʻi resident, speaking about the preliminary magnitude measurement provided by officials. “Crazy! … Scary!!!!”
Most by that time were from the nearby Kailua-Kona area, with reports of very strong shaking and possible moderate damage based on the intensity report from U.S. Geological Survey.
Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense reported the quake happened on the west flank of Mauna Loa volcano, mauka of Hōnaunau.
“The depth, location and recorded seismic waves of the earthquake suggest that it was caused by stress due to bending of the oceanic plate from the weight of the Hawaiian island chain; the earthquake was not directly related to volcanic processes,” stated Hawaiian Volcano Observatory in an information statement released later Friday night.
It had no apparent impact on either Mauna Loa or Kīlauea volcanoes.
National Weather Service also reported there was no tsunami threat from the strong shaker, which Hawaiʻi Island Radio Scanner Community reported had an epicenter in the area of Pāhoehoe/Honokua Nui Ahupuaʻa in South Kona.
The group also said damage assessments were underway around Hawaiʻi Island.
“Strong to very strong shaking was reported on the west side of the Island of Hawaiʻi during the earthquake that happened this evening and could have resulted in light to moderate damage to infrastructure,” said the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory statement.
Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense reported just before 11:30 p.m. Friday that there were reports of landslides along Highway 11 from Captain Cook to Ocean View.
Big Island police advised the public to avoid Nāpōʻopoʻo Road in West Hawaiʻi after large rocks and debris fell onto the roadway because of the strong temblor. They reported just after midnight Saturday, May 23, that the road would be closed at least 3 hours while crews cleaned up the landslide.
Hawaiʻi Police Department also reported shortly before 12:30 a.m. Saturday that large rocks and debris fell onto a portion of Highway 11 in South Kona, between Rabbit Hill Road and Manuka State Park, because of the earthquake Friday night.
The public is also advised to avoid that area while crews clean up the landslide, which will also take several hours.
“If you must get on the roads tonight, drive with caution,” said Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense.
Civil Defense added that if the earthquake was strongly felt in your area, check for any damages to your home, especially gas, water and electrical utility connections.
Report any damage via the Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense website or by calling 808-935-0031.
Courtesy Graphic: U.S. Geological Survey earthquake website
Civil Defense and Hawaiian Volcano Observatory also warned — as with all earthquakes — there is the possibility of after-shocks.
“Several aftershocks from the earthquake that happened this evening have already occurred,” the volcano observatory said in its information statement. “Most have been smaller than magnitude-3. Aftershocks may continue to occur in the coming days but are unlikely to be large enough to be felt or cause damage.”
Two temblors of note — albeit weaker — did later strike in nearly the same location as the magnitude-6.0.
A second magnitude-3.2 quake struck about 6 minutes after the initial quake at about 6 miles south of Hōnaunau-Nāpōʻopoʻo at a depth of about 13 miles.
More than 40 “Felt Reports” were made within the first hour after that quake.
Another magnitude-2.6 quake hit just before 11 p.m. about in about the same location, this time at a depth of about 10.5 miles.
“We appreciate the more than 2,500 residents and visitors who submitted ‘Felt Reports’ to the [U.S. Geological Survey] website for this event,” said Hawaiian Volcano Observatory. “Such reports help [U.S. Geological Survey] and other responding agencies to understand the affected area and potential impacts of earthquakes.”
Hawaiian Volcano Observatory continues to monitor Hawaiian volcanoes for any changes.
