HONOLULU (AP) _ Tsunami waves spawned by a massive earthquake in Japan have hit Hawaii.

   The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center says Kauai was the first island hit early Friday by the tsunami, which was quickly sweeping through the Hawaiian Island chain. Officials predicted Hawaii would experience waves up to 6 feet (2 meters).

   Residents in coastal areas of Hawaii were evacuated to refuge areas at community centers and schools while tourists in Waikiki were moved to higher floors of their high-rise hotels.

   Roadways and beaches were empty as the tsunamis struck the state, which had hours to prepare.

   The tsunami was generated by an 8.9-magnitude earthquake in Japan.