HAWAII — Update:
The tsunami warning for Hawaii has been canceled.
Original story:
A powerful magnitude 8.1 earthquake has struck in the ocean off the coast of New Zealand, prompting evacuations and tsunami warnings across the South Pacific region.
It was the second large quake to strike within hours Friday.
An offshore magnitude 7.3 quake had awoken many people during the night throughout New Zealand.
While both quakes triggered warning systems, neither of them appeared to pose a widespread threat to lives or major infrastructure.
Civil defense authorities in New Zealand told people in certain areas on the East Coast of the North Island that they should move immediately to higher ground and should not stay in their homes.
They said a damaging tsunami was possible, which could generate a tsunami that could be destructive to the coast of Hawaii.
The earlier arrival time of possible impact by waves are estimated to be 4:35pm Hawaiian Time (6:35pm for the Seattle area).
Updates for Hawaii can be found on Twitter at @Oahu_DEM
The Associated Press contributed to this story.