Elgin woman vacationing in Hawaii says 'everyone is pretty calm'

Hawaiians and those visiting the islands braced themselves Saturday, as authorities warned of a possible tsunami in the wake of the earthquake that hit Chile.

Elgin resident Laura Olsen was on vacation visiting friends in Oahu, as warning sirens began wailing every hour Saturday morning. The streets were vacant by about noon, she said.

"Everyone is pretty calm, we're just waiting," said Olsen, who stocked up enough food and supplies to last five days. "I'm not really nervous. There are some waves but not like a wall of water you see in the movies."

Officials told people staying at hotels along the shore to move up to at least the third floor, she said.

Olsen heard about the tsunami from her mom and brother, who both texted her at about 3 or 4 a.m.

"I jumped in the car and went to Costco to gas up," Olsen said. "It was 6 a.m. and already there were about 20 cars waiting for Costco to open."

Other drivers were knocking on the doors of small grocery stores in case they were open. Most were not, Olsen said.