HONOLULU — Officials in Hawaii canceled a tsunami advisory for the state's coastline early Sunday, paving the way for beaches and harbors to reopen after widespread fears of waves generated from a powerful earthquake off the coast of Canada.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center lifted its tsunami advisory Sunday morning just before 4 a.m. local time, three hours after downgrading from a warning and less than six hours after the waves first hit the islands.
The biggest waves — about 5 feet high — appeared to hit Maui. A popular triathlon set for the island was expected to go on as planned.
There were no reports of damage, though one person died in a fatal crash near a road that was closed because of the threat near Oahu's north shore.
Hawaii Gov. Neil Abercrombie said the state was lucky to avoid more severe surges. "We're very, very grateful that we can go home tonight counting our blessings," Abercrombie said.
The National Weather Service canceled tsunami advisories for Canada, Alaska, Washington, Oregon and California.
In Canada, there were no reports of major damage. Residents in parts of British Columbia were evacuated, but the province appeared to escape the biggest quake in Canada since 1949 largely unscathed.
The U.S. Geological Survey said the powerful temblor hit the Queen Charlotte Islands just after 8 p.m. local time Saturday at a depth of about 3 miles and was centered 96 miles south of Masset. It was felt across a wide area in British Columbia.
"It looks like the damage and the risk are at a very low level," said Shirley Bond, British Columbia's minister responsible for emergency management said. "We're certainly grateful."
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