It's known to many as Tsunami Day - Sunday, February 27.
It was the first time some of the computerized forecast models had been used on an actual tsunami event. According to officials at the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, the forecast models did perform well, but had limitations.
"And even in Hawaii we only have, with our best model, it gives us the most detailed information it's only giving us information for about six places: Hilo, Kahului, Honolulu Harbor, Pear Harbor and Mowiliwili on Kauai," said Pacific Tsunami Warning Center Director Charles McCreery.
Since last year a new forecast model has been put into place to cover all coastlines in the Pacific.
"And the thing thats different with this model is it gives us the impacts along all the coasts, including all of Hawaii and all of our international responsibility," McCreery said.
Even the deep ocean buoys have improved.
"And in fact, actually around the Pacific since 2004, a lot of gauges have been upgraded to go from a one hour schedule to a five or six minute schedule, but the Chili gauges were still on that one hour scale last year, and they've been upgraded," McCreery said.
More data means those forecast models will be able to fine-tune areas that need to evacuate or not.
"Of course, the next event could be bigger, could be smaller, but like I said, we have more tools now at our disposal to be able to provide a more accurate warnings in the future," McCreery said.
The improvements continue at the county level as well with Honolulu rolling out new tsunami maps, which are available online
"Another important link on our website is our Nixle service, where were tying residents into a notification service with text messages and emails for an impending disaster," said Peter Hirai of the Oahu Department of Emergency Management.
Tsunami inundation maps for the Big Island have been completed, with Maui County and Kauai coming soon.
Overall state officials are pleased with the public response from last years tsunami event.
"Well I gotta say kudos to our public. They deserve to be commended, their reaction to the announcements following the instructions from our local police, public authorities we cant say enough about the response from the public, including our visitors," said Ed Teixeira of the Hawaii State Civil Defense.
