The Pacific Tsunami Museum (PTM) has announced a free town hall event titled “Evacuate and Educate: The July Tsunami,” scheduled for August 16. The event aims to provide the public with insights into how scientists observed and analyzed data as the earthquake’s energy traveled through the ocean.
According to PTM, the town hall will address public questions following the tsunami warning issued in Hawai‘i on July 29. Scientists will explain how data was analyzed post-earthquake and clarify terms such as tsunami warning, advisory, and watch. The museum is collaborating with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to develop educational materials for schools to enhance preparedness while memories of the recent warning are still vivid.
“Our website crashed a little after 5 p.m. on Tuesday; it got so many hits,” said PTM Executive Director Cindi Preller. “At that time, we redirected the website to tsunami.gov for immediate updates. Now, it’s our job to respond directly to the interest and questions from the experience and work even harder on our educational efforts.”
The museum operates on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., offering discounted admission for kama‘aina, with free entry for youth aged 17 and under, and free admission on the first Saturday of each month. Located at 130 Kamehameha Ave, PTM continues its efforts to raise awareness and educate the public about tsunami safety.
“This is a timely topic for PTM’s weekly Saturday lecture series,” Preller said. “We welcome all questions right away! We’ll assemble as much expertise as possible, including by webcast, and are committed to getting answers for questions people have.”
The Pacific Tsunami Museum is a nonprofit organization dedicated to educating residents and visitors about tsunami hazards in Hawai‘i. Its mission is to prevent tsunami-related deaths through public awareness and education while preserving cultural and social history linked to past tsunami events. Situated in Hilo, a community historically impacted by tsunamis, PTM serves as a living memorial for those lost. The museum collaborates with scientific and civil defense organizations, offers permanent exhibits combining scientific data with survivor testimonies, and provides educational materials in multiple languages.
