June 8, 2026
On May 22nd the earth moved, a little. A couple of boards leaning against my barn wall fell over. That was the extent of the damage at my place on the wet side of Waimea. South Kona was a different story entirely.
A magnitude 6.0 earthquake struck at 9:46pm near Honaunau-Napoopoo on the west flank of Mauna Loa, at a depth of about 14 miles. No tsunami was generated. Hawaii County Civil Defense reported rockslides onto roadways, multiple road closures, power outages, and structures shifting on their foundations. The damage was significant — while fortunately no injuries were life-threatening, some homes were badly damaged and residents were calling plumbers overnight to deal with broken water connections. This was the largest earthquake on the Big Island since the magnitude 6.9 earthquake in 2018.
What Made This Earthquake Unusual
Many earthquakes on the Big Island are associated with volcanic activity — magma movement, the south flank of Kilauea shifting, or the décollement, a nearly flat fault system underlying much of the island that separates volcanic rock from the oceanic crust below.
This one was different. The earthquake occurred at a depth of 22.6 kilometers, meaning it nucleated in the mantle — too deep to be related to shallow magma movement beneath Hualālai or Mauna Loa.
So what caused it? Scientists point to what’s called the flexural stress model — think of it like a diving board bending under the weight of a diver. The Hawaiian Islands are extraordinarily heavy volcanic structures sitting on the oceanic plate. That weight causes the plate to bend, creating compression in the mantle beneath. Over time, faults form in the mantle in response to that compression, and when stress builds sufficiently, they slip — producing earthquakes like this one.
A similar earthquake — magnitude 5.5 — occurred in almost exactly the same location on May 8, 1991, with the same reverse faulting mechanism. This type of earthquake can happen here regardless of what the volcanoes are doing.
For a detailed scientific explanation, the team at Temblor.net has written an excellent analysis: Magnitude 6.0 earthquake strikes the Big Island of Hawai’i
Earthquakes Can Happen Anywhere on the Island
This is the important point for anyone living here or considering a move. Earthquakes are not confined to the volcanic zones. I have lived through earthquakes that crumpled bridges and sent my mother’s china crashing to the floor despite the raised rims on her shelves in closed cupboards. The May 22nd earthquake was centered in South Kona — but it was felt across the entire island and as far away as Maui and Oahu.
Damage depends heavily on proximity to the epicenter, depth of the quake, soil conditions, and building construction. Waimea came through with minimal damage this time. That won’t always be the case.
What This Means for Buyers
Earthquake risk is a real consideration when buying property anywhere on the Big Island. Here is what I recommend as part of due diligence:
- Check the building’s construction — older unreinforced masonry structures are most vulnerable. More concerning on the Big Island are homes sitting on concrete blocks, some without any strapping connecting the structure to the foundation. These are significantly more vulnerable in a major earthquake than properly anchored wood frame construction. If you’re buying an older home, have a contractor or structural engineer assess how the structure is connected to its foundation before you close. This is not standard in a typical home inspection and may require a specific request.
- Check your insurance coverage — the State of Hawaii’s own Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs states clearly that most homeowners policies will not protect you from earthquake loss. A separate earthquake policy is worth considering. Be aware that earthquake policies typically carry high deductibles of 10-25% of your home’s value — for a $400,000 home that means paying $40,000 to $100,000 out of pocket before insurance kicks in. Talk to your insurance agent about your options during due diligence.
- Water catchment and plumbing — if your property has a water tank, make sure the plumbing connections are properly secured. This was a common source of damage in the May 22nd quake.
- Secure your belongings — raised rims on shelves help but aren’t foolproof. Securing heavy furniture, water heaters, and valuables is basic earthquake preparedness that many people overlook until after the fact.
- Know your evacuation routes — particularly if you’re near the coast, where a large submarine earthquake could generate a tsunami.
For current damage reports from South Kona read the coverage at Big Island Now and Hawaii News Now.
Living With Earthquakes
Longtime Big Island residents learn to take earthquakes in stride. Most are small — barely noticeable. Occasionally one reminds you that you live on a volcanically and seismically active island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. That’s part of what makes this place extraordinary. It is also part of what requires clear eyes and realistic expectations when you decide to make it your home.
Judy S. Howard, Esq. is a Realtor Broker with COMPASS in Waimea, Hawaii, and a licensed Hawaii attorney with over 30 years of experience. She can be reached at judy@livinginwaimea.com or 808-885-5588.