After Warning, Hawaii Tsunami Smaller Than Expected HONOLULU (AP) - A Hawaii tsunami warning that spurred coastal evacuations statewide was downgraded to a tsunami advisory early Sunday, ending the threat of serious damage less than three hours after the first waves hit the islands. Hawaii Gov. Neil Abercrombie said early Sunday that the Aloha State was lucky to avoid more severe surges after a powerful earthquake struck off the coast of Canada. Abercrombie said beaches and harbors are still closed statewide. "We're very, very grateful that we can go home tonight counting our blessings," Abercrombie said. Meanwhile, the National Weather Service canceled tsunami advisories for Canada and Oregon, leaving northern California as the only spot in North America still under a tsunami advisory. The first waves hitting Hawaii on Saturday night were smaller than expected. Gerard Fryer, a geologist tracking the tsunami for the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, said the largest wave in the first 45 minutes of the tsunami was measured in Maui at more than 5 feet, about 2 feet higher than normal sea levels. No major damage was reported. At first, officials said Hawaii wasn't in any danger of a tsunami after the 7.7-magnitude earthquake rattled the western coast of North America Saturday night, sparking tsunami warnings for southern Alaska and western Canada. Later, officials issued a warning for Hawaii as well, saying there had been a change in sea readings. About the same time, a tsunami advisory was issued for a 450-mile stretch of U.S. coast running from north of San Francisco to central Oregon. A small tsunami created by the quake was barely noticeable in Craig, Alaska, where the first wave or surge was recorded Saturday night. Fryer said it could take several hours for the danger to pass in Hawaii, especially if the waves get bigger. "It's beginning to look like the evacuation may not have been necessary," Fryer said. The National Weather Service said there were reports of water quickly receding in bays, including Hilo Bay on the Big Island. The warning in Hawaii spurred residents to stock up on essentials at gas stations and grocery stores and sent tourists in beachside hotels to higher floors in their buildings. Bus service into Waikiki was cut off an hour before the first waves, and police in downtown Honolulu shut down a Halloween block party. Abercrombie proclaimed an emergency, mobilizing extra safety measures. While television traffic cameras showed onlookers at the beach in Waikiki, Honolulu Mayor Peter Carlisle warned people to stay away from the surf for several days. Carlisle - who recommended people think about ditching their cars if they were in traffic - said people should be cautious. "There's no reason to panic but there's every reason to take all of the necessary precautions," he said. Coast Guard officials closed all harbors in the state to incoming boats and urged vessels to leave and not return until an all-clear is given. "We don't have any reports of any tsunami impacts at this time, but we caution mariners because the tsunami surges can continue for several hours," Chief Warrant Officer Gene Maestas said. In Kauai, three schools used as evacuation centers quickly filled to capacity. As many people along Hawaii's coasts rushed to higher ground, officials downgraded a tsunami warning to an advisory for southern Alaska and British Columbia. They also issued an advisory for areas of northern California and southern Oregon. In Alaska, the wave or surge was recorded at 4 inches, much smaller than forecast, said Jeremy Zidek, a spokesman for the Alaska Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management. The U.S. Geological Survey said the earthquake hit in the Queen Charlotte Islands area. The quake was felt in Craig and other southeast Alaska communities, but Zidek said there were no immediate reports of damage. The West Coast and Alaska Tsunami Warning Center issued a warning for coastal areas of southeast Alaska, down the western Canadian coast to the tip of Vancouver Island. Later Saturday evening, the warning for those areas was downgraded to an advisory, while a warning was issued for Hawaii.