Magnitude 6.0 Quake Rocks Hawaii Big Island; Kilauea Watched

A magnitude 6.0 earthquake struck Hawaii’s Big Island on Friday night, rattling residents across the state and prompting officials to closely monitor Kilauea volcano, which is expected to erupt again in the coming days. The quake, which occurred at 9:46 p.m. local time on May 22, was centered approximately 13 kilometers (8 miles) south of Hōnaunau-Nāpōʻopoʻo along the western flank of Mauna Loa, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

Shaking Felt Statewide

The earthquake, initially reported as magnitude 5.9 before being revised to 6.0, originated at a depth of about 22.6 kilometers (14 miles). The USGS reported that strong to very strong shaking was concentrated on the west side of the Big Island, but the tremor was felt across the Hawaiian archipelago, from Maui and Oahu to as far away as Kauai.

More than 5,800 residents and visitors submitted felt reports to the USGS “Did You Feel It?” website by early Saturday morning, according to Hawaii News Now. Multiple aftershocks followed, including a magnitude 3.2 tremor at 9:52 p.m. and a magnitude 2.6 at 10:50 p.m. local time.

No Tsunami Threat

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center confirmed that no tsunami was generated by the earthquake, and no warning was issued.

Damage and Power Outages

Hawaii County Mayor Kimo Alameda reported damage to homes and structures in the South Kona area, with roadway crews dispatched to clear debris from several rockslides. Napoopoo Road was rendered impassable due to rockfall, according to ABC News.

Minor damage was reported at Kona Hospital, though officials confirmed no interruption of services. Approximately 500 Hawaiian Electric Company customers lost power due to downed utility lines in South Kona. No serious injuries or fatalities have been reported.

Eyewitness Accounts

Former Hawaii News Now reporter Lacy Deniz, who was in her home in Honaunau when the quake struck, described the experience as “quite terrifying.”

“Our house was literally shaking from side to side, and I think the scary part was the duration too. It lasted for quite a long time,” Deniz told Hawaii News Now. She said her mother had to shield her young son as glass shattered from cabinets and fell to the floor. “Everything is on the floor. Glass is broken, all of our cabinets are open, our toilet cracked,” she added.

Tectonic, Not Volcanic

The USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) emphasized that the earthquake was not directly related to volcanic activity. “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,” HVO said in a statement.

This type of tectonic earthquake is common in Hawaii, where the immense weight of the volcanic islands causes the underlying oceanic plate to flex and generate stress. The USGS noted that in the last 50 years, there have been 36 other earthquakes of magnitude 5 or greater within 100 kilometers of this event.

Kilauea Activity Continues

While the earthquake was unrelated to volcanic processes, the USGS continues to monitor Kilauea volcano, which has been erupting episodically since December 23, 2024. The volcano experienced a series of eruptions throughout May 2026, and scientists expect the next eruptive episode to occur between May 24 and May 27, according to Fox News.

What to Watch For

Residents in the South Kona area face ongoing risks from aftershocks, infrastructure repairs, and home damage assessments. The Hawaii Civil Defense Agency has advised residents to check for structural damage and to inspect gas, water, and electrical utilities following the quake.

Looking ahead, scientists will be watching closely to see whether the earthquake has any delayed effect on Kilauea’s eruption patterns. While the USGS has stated the quake was tectonic in origin, seismic activity can sometimes influence volcanic systems. The full extent of structural damage across the Big Island is still being assessed as recovery efforts continue through the Memorial Day holiday weekend.