Latest Kilauea earthquake upgraded to 6.9: Tourists feel the jolt

Just a half hour ago, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) reported that the 12:33 pm earthquake in the Kilauea volcano area was a magnitude 6.9 – much higher than the last upgraded estimates of 6.4 which was preceded by 6.0.

Guests at the Hilo Hawaiian Hotel said they felt the jolt of the quake that occurred at around 12:30 pm. Karla Redding of Kailua was in her hotel room on the 6th floor and said the floor and lamp shades started shaking and swinging and last at least 30 seconds.

Hotel bellman Alan Shinkai was in an elevator when the quake struck and said he could not get to the ground level fast enough.

The quake was centered aapproximately10 miles southwest of Leilani Estates, which has been evacuate due to earth cracks and lava flows.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said there is still no tsunami threat.