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Parks, golf courses and the Honolulu Zoo closed today


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POSTED: Saturday, February 27, 2010

 All city and county beach parks, golf courses and the Honolulu Zoo are closed today because of the tsunami warning, acting Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell said this morning.

On the Leeward Coast, lines of cars could be seen as early as 5 a.m. leaving the area. Gas stations and convenience stores were also crowded.

Roads in the tsunami zones will be closed at 10 a.m., Caldwell said.

Caldwell said people who do not have to be on the road, should stay home.

Several events scheduled for today have been canceled and a spokesman for the Windward Mall said the mall will be closed today.

John Cummings, Oahu Emergency Management Department spokesman said police and Civil Defense volunteers will go door to door in coastal areas to tell people to evacuate.

Many of the homeless living on Leeward coast beaches had already packed and left the beach before dawn.

City “;evacuation”; buses are going up and down shoreline areas to give free rides to anyone who needs to get out of the inundation zone. They will take people to safe areas until the “;all clear”; is sounded by Civil Defense.

People who need rides can flag down the buses and don't have to wait at bus stops, Cummings said.