Hawaii Governor Linda Lingle said buildings and roads throughout the state were destroyed. She told radio station KSSK that so far there were no reports of fatalities.
The earthquake triggered a landslide that blocked a major highway on Hawaii Island and knocked out power across the state. Lingle said that boulders fell onto highways and rock walls had collapsed.
The quake hit at 7:07 a.m. local time, about 16 kilometers northwest of Kailua Kona, a community on the west coast of Hawaii's Big Island. The quake registered a magnitude of 6.6, with a strong aftershock measuring 5.8.
There is no risk of the quake producing a tsunami, said Waverly Person, from the National Earthquake Information Centre in Golden, Co. The quake was caused by a buildup of volcanic activity in the area, he told CTV News.
Aftershocks are continuing and will be creating strong waves for quite some time, Person said, "but they appear to be in the magnitude 4 or less range."
There were reports of injuries, but the state Civil Defense said communications problems prevented confirmation. Power outages across the state were widespread, with power and phone lines down. Phones were working in some areas, but service was spotty.
Heavy damage was reported in Kailua-Kona on the main island.
The lights came back on in Hilo on the Big Island by mid-day Sunday, and Maui's power was next to get back online, said Hawaii National Guard spokesman Chuck Anthony.
Officials declined to speculate how many people were in the dark.
Don Blakeman, a geophysicist at the National Earthquake Information Center, part of the U.S. Geological Survey, told The Associated Press that there is no risk the quake will cause a tsunami, but warned there may be waves of significant size.
Worried tourists began lining up outside convenience stores in Waikiki, hoping to buy food, water and other supplies. With the power out, store managers were letting people into their dark stores one at a time.
Operation room ceilings collapsed at the Kona Community Hospital, forcing an evacuation. About 10 acute care patients were taken to a medical center in Hilo, while others were taken to a nearby conference centre.
Airports were operating, although slowly. Inbound flights are being allowed to land, but outbound flights are on hold until there is enough power to screen passengers.
Big Island Mayor Harry Kim told KITV that resorts in Kona were being asked to keep guests near their hotels. Cruise ships approaching to dock are being asked to sail to the next destination, while those already docked are being asked to keep their guests aboard.
With a report by The Associated Press
The earthquake triggered a landslide that blocked a major highway on Hawaii Island and knocked out power across the state. Lingle said that boulders fell onto highways and rock walls had collapsed.
The quake hit at 7:07 a.m. local time, about 16 kilometers northwest of Kailua Kona, a community on the west coast of Hawaii's Big Island. The quake registered a magnitude of 6.6, with a strong aftershock measuring 5.8.
There is no risk of the quake producing a tsunami, said Waverly Person, from the National Earthquake Information Centre in Golden, Co. The quake was caused by a buildup of volcanic activity in the area, he told CTV News.
Aftershocks are continuing and will be creating strong waves for quite some time, Person said, "but they appear to be in the magnitude 4 or less range."
There were reports of injuries, but the state Civil Defense said communications problems prevented confirmation. Power outages across the state were widespread, with power and phone lines down. Phones were working in some areas, but service was spotty.
Heavy damage was reported in Kailua-Kona on the main island.
The lights came back on in Hilo on the Big Island by mid-day Sunday, and Maui's power was next to get back online, said Hawaii National Guard spokesman Chuck Anthony.
Officials declined to speculate how many people were in the dark.
Don Blakeman, a geophysicist at the National Earthquake Information Center, part of the U.S. Geological Survey, told The Associated Press that there is no risk the quake will cause a tsunami, but warned there may be waves of significant size.
Worried tourists began lining up outside convenience stores in Waikiki, hoping to buy food, water and other supplies. With the power out, store managers were letting people into their dark stores one at a time.
Operation room ceilings collapsed at the Kona Community Hospital, forcing an evacuation. About 10 acute care patients were taken to a medical center in Hilo, while others were taken to a nearby conference centre.
Airports were operating, although slowly. Inbound flights are being allowed to land, but outbound flights are on hold until there is enough power to screen passengers.
Big Island Mayor Harry Kim told KITV that resorts in Kona were being asked to keep guests near their hotels. Cruise ships approaching to dock are being asked to sail to the next destination, while those already docked are being asked to keep their guests aboard.
With a report by The Associated Press