CIVIL AUTHORITIES in Hawaii have withdrawn a tsunami warning for the state, following an earlier earthquake off the coast of Canada.

Maui County Civil Defence downgraded its warning to a tsunami advisory shortly after 11am Irish time, after the island had seen a minor tsunami with a negligible increase in sea levels.

The tsunami warning had been issued after an earthquake with a magnitude of 7.7 struck about 85 miles off Canada’s north-west coast shortly after 3am Irish time.

Low-lying areas in Hawaii had been evacuated as a precautionary measure.

Though tsunami waves began to hit Hawaii at about 8:30am Irish time, the waves were not of the height or intensity that had been feared.

The lifting of the alert means people will be able to return to their homes in the coming hours, though they have been asked to remain where they are for a short time so that authorities can restore water and sanitary services without interruption.

“At this time we would like to thank the people of Maui County for reacting to this emergency quickly and calmly,” authorities said.

“Although we have no reports of the tsunami damaging property or endangering lives, it is important that we treat these events seriously.”