Working alongside community partners and agencies in a shared spirit of aloha, The Salvation Army Hawaiian and Pacific Islands Division swiftly met the needs of hundreds of evacuees throughout the state after a tsunami warning was issued for Hawai‘i on July 29.

The Salvation Army Hilo Temple Corps officers, volunteers and community partners serve breakfast the morning of July 30, 2025, to people at the Waiākea High School shelter. (Photo Courtesy: The Salvation Army Hawaiian and Pacific Islands Division)

Mobilizing a multi-location breakfast service at sunrise July 30, The Salvation Army brought sustenance — and comfort — to those who sheltered overnight in communities throughout the islands, including on Hawai‘i Island.

It was a welcome reprieve for hundreds of people who rushed to higher ground with few provisions.

Before a statewide tsunami advisory was lifted at 9 a.m. last Wednesay, The Salvation Army served a total of 770 meals to island residents, emergency responders and stranded island visitors throughout the state.

On the Big Island, Hilo Temple Corps officers, volunteers and community partners served breakfast to more than 400 people at the Waiākea High School shelter in Hilo.

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That included Hawai‘i County employees and stranded cruise ship passengers and staff.

“Mahalo to our amazing community partners … for coming together to show aloha in action,” says a post on The Salvation Army – County of Hawai‘i Facebook page from 7:50 a.m. July 30, listing the county, the administrative office of the county Parks and Recreation Department, KTA Super Stores and The Food Basket, Hawai‘i Island’s Food Bank, as some of those community partners.

“You guys are Awesome!!!” exclaimed Sita Gonzales in reply.

Evening meals were additionally dispersed the night before at key locations amid the ongoing tsunami warning, with resources and responders immediately rallying despite many of The Salvation Army’s low-lying corps, camps and other facilities also under evacuation.

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The Hilo Temple Corps stood ready to serve.

“Our disaster services team have repositioned key assets and are prepared for deployment if needed,” says a Facebook post from 9:57 p.m. July 29 by The Salvation Army – County of Hawai‘i, adding that Hawai‘i Island Officer Capt. Sam LeMar was at the Emergency Operations Center, working closely with government and nonprofit partners as needs arose. “Our prayers are with everyone affected — here in Hawai‘i and around the world.”

The highest wave of 4.9 feet amplitude from sea surface to crest — or nearly 10 feet from tough to crest — to hit Hilo was recorded at 8:32 p.m., and likely was the cause of flooding at the parking lot of Coconut Island as well as sending ocean waters up to the front lobby and flooding a portion of the property at SCP Hilo Hotel on Banyan Way.

Hale O Lono — a loko iʻa, or fishpond, located in Honohononui, one of three ʻili kūpono, or nearly independent land divisions within ahupuaʻa, found in the moku, or district, of Waiākea — was also damaged by the tsunami, having breaks in its kuapā, or stone wall, and fish loss.

Screenshot of a photo shared by Roxane Keliikipikaneokolohaka on Facebook of Hale O Lono fishpond in the Waiākea district of Hilo following the July 29 tsunami.

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The Salvation Army is at the ready to deliver help and hope — whether addressing sudden natural disasters or the daily disasters that strike communities, such as food and housing insecurity, addiction struggles and individuals and families at risk and in need.

Learn more about The Salvation Army’s Emergency Disaster Services by visiting the organization’s website and connect with local corps for vital programs and support offered throughout the year.

Standby disaster relief volunteers also are always in need, and a seamless sign-up form is available online.