Strong magnitude-6.0 quake causes some damage in West Hawaiʻi on Big Island : Big Island Now

This story was updated at 10:45 a.m. Saturday, May 23, 2026.

Officials with Hawaiʻi County and Hawaiian Volcano Observatory report that some light to moderate damage could be possible from the magnitude-6.0 earthquake that struck the west flank of Mauna Loa volcano on the Big Island shortly before 10 p.m. on Friday, May 22.

Tricia Gardiner shared this photo with a comment on a KAPA Radio Facebook post Friday night, May 22, 2026, about the strong magnitude-6.0 earthquake in West Hawaiʻi. “Just south of [Miloliʻi]. Here’s my pantry. Gives you an idea of what the rest of my house looks like,” wrote Gardiner in her comment. “No one hurt thankfully. I feel like I’m in shock.”

Summing it up, Hawai’i County Civil Defense reported in an update at 7:54 a.m. Saturday that the strong temblor caused rock slides on portions of Highway 11 and Nāpōʻopoʻo Road in South Kona, multiple road closures, power outages, structures to shift on their foundation and other property damage.

Many people around the Big Island and beyond reported feeling the shaking caused by the strong temblor. But the closer to the epicenter, the more rocking and rolling were experienced and the more damages that are likely.

Several reports of items falling off cupboards, out of cabinets and off walls were made across social media. Some even posted that they had small cracks appear in walls or parts of their ceilings because of the earthquake.

Hawaiian Electric reported at about 10 a.m. Saturday that 70 of 1,000 customers affected by the temblor remained without power and crews were continuing restoration efforts.

Big Island police also advised the public 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 earthquake.

Those roadways were cleared by about 6:30 a.m. Saturday.

Motorists should be aware, however, that debris piles could be on the side of the road until crews can fully complete their removal.

Hawaiʻi County Mayor Kimo Alameda explained some of the damage from a magnitude-6.0 earthquake that struck shortly before 10 p.m. Friday, May 22, 2026, on the Big Island. (Screenshot from Video: Courtesy of Hawaiʻi County)

Hawaiʻi County Mayor Kimo Alameda said in a 12:44 a.m. Saturday video post on social media that Kona Community Hospital in Kealakekua, about 5 miles north and slightly west of Honaunau, reported minor damage, but no interruption of services.

KTA Super Stores-Keauhou had items fall on the floor, but the mayor said the grocery store would open Saturday morning as usual.

“We have reports of downed utility lines, power outages in South Kona, about 500 [Hawaiian Electric] customers are without power, and they’re checking on it as we speak,” Alameda said in the video.

Hawaiʻi County Department of Water Supply was also checking on water tanks in the area where the earthquake struck.

“Due to reports of damage, [Hawaiʻi County] Civil Defense is encouraging all residents and businesses to assess their property for possible damage to buildings, utilities, water catchment and roadways,” says a Saturday morning post on Hawai’i County Mayor Kimo Alameda’s Facebook page.

Officials urge those in areas where the temblor was strongly felt to check for any damages to their home, especially gas, water and electrical utility connections.

Courtesy Map: U.S. Geological Survey earthquake website

Those who sustained damage are asked to self-report those damages to Civil Defense online or by calling the agency at 808-935-0031 for assistance.

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.

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!!!!”

The 6.0-magnitude earthquake on the Big Island on May 22, 2026, caused rockslides onto roadways. (Screenshot from Video: Courtesy of Hawaiʻi County)

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.

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.

Big Island residents reported items flying off shelves during the 6.0-magnitude earthquake that struck on May 22, 2026. (Screenshot: Hawaiʻi County video)

“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.

Watch for additional information and more updates, if and when they become available.