Earthquake rattles Hawaii's big island

Aug 14,2007 00:00 by UPI

HONOLULU -- The big island of Hawaii was dealing with aftershocks from an earthquake even as residents prepared for Tuesday’s approaching hurricane.

A 5.4-magnitude quake Monday night caused minor rock slides before several aftershocks, including one of magnitude 3.2, followed, the Honolulu Star-bulletin reported Tuesday.

"It went on way longer than is comfortable," said Jeri Kauahikaua of Volcano, Hawaii, who added the quake was felt island-wide.

The earthquake was centered about 25 miles south of Hilo and 10 miles south-southwest of Fern Forest at a depth of about 5.8 miles, said officials at the U.S. Geological Survey.

The tremors came as Hawaii residents prepared for tropical storm-force wind and rain expected Tuesday from approaching Hurricane Flossie.