A major earthquake near Samoa this morning did not significantly affect the ocean waters around Hawaii, public safety officials said.
But a series of minor, out-of-the-ordinary sea changes began about 2 p.m., said Bryan Cheplic, spokesman for the city Emergency Services Department.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center reported sea level changes across the state ranging from a few inches at Mokuoloe, Oahu, and Kaumalapau, Lanai, to 1.2 feet in Kahului, Maui.
Cheplic said employees of the city's Ocean Safety Division, made up of city lifeguards, reported seeing the water level drop as much as two or three feet and rise by the same amount about 90 to 120 seconds later.
The unusual rise and fall of water levels was noticed at Ala Wai Small Boat Harbor in Waikiki and Kewalo Basin, and to a lesser extent at Haleiwa Boat Harbor, Cheplic said.
"You could see it with the bare eye, but if you weren't looking for it, you probably would not have noticed," Cheplic said.
At Pier 38 the water level rose and fell and rose and fell about 18 inches in a 15-minute period.
Gary and Amy Lee of Kent, Wash., had just finished their lunch by the water's edge and watched with fascination from 2:15 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. as the water level suddenly rose and fell, compared to the docks.
"Look at that," Gary said. "It's definitely changing."
