Tsunamis in 1903

October 8, 1903 Tsunami: Hawaii, United States

October 8, 1903 · Erroneous entry

A tsunami of meteorological origin began at Hawaii, United States on October 8, 1903. Its effects were recorded at 1 place.

Where the waves reached

The source (white) and every runup with a place, colored by the water height recorded there. A ring is a runup NCEI marks doubtful.

  • Under 1 m
  • 1 to 3 m
  • 3 to 10 m
  • 10 to 30 m
  • 30 m and more
  • Height not recorded

Tsunami warnings in force

The tsunami

Date
October 8, 1903
Source
Hawaii, United States
Cause
Meteorological
Runups recorded
1
Waters
Ocean
How certain
Erroneous entry

The toll

The record gives no deaths, injuries or damage for this tsunami.

What the record says

NCEI’s account, from the sources it cites.

An ebb tide at Punaluu, Hawaii Island, was succeeded on the following night by a powerful flood tide, which flooded the pier. This is a doubtful tsunami event. (Ref #236)

Every runup

Nearest the source first. Heights are above sea level at the time; a tide gauge reads half the wave’s full height.

WhereCountryKm from sourceWater height, mInland, mMeasured byFirst wave, UTCDeaths
Punaluu, Hawaii, HI, HIUnited StatesEyewitness observation of water height

More

Every tsunami in 1903The 1900sTsunamis of United StatesThis day in weather historyAlerts in force

Sources

Tsunami events and runups from NOAA’s National Centers for Environmental Information, Global Historical Hazard Database, cited as NCEI/WDS, doi:10.7289/V5PN93H7. Public domain. Read 2026-09-24. NCEI tsunami event 1302.