Hawaii escapes tsunami damage

After bracing for the possibility of a disastrous tsunami, Hawaiians can now safely return to their homes.

A tsunami warning has been downgraded to a simple advisory, and a civil defense official added evacuation orders had been lifted for coastal areas.

At least 100,000 people had been ordered to move to higher ground late on Saturday, but the first waves were less forceful than had been feared - and no damage was initially reported.

Forecasters said waves could be as high as six feet, though early tsunami activity peaked at just 2.5 feet on the island of Maui.

The tsunami was triggered by a powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake off Canada's Pacific coast, and began moving westward shortly after 10:30 pm Hawaii time.