Waves from the tsunami caused by a massive earthquake in Japan have slammed Hawaii, sweeping through the archipelago.

Elsewhere, thousands of people have fled their homes in northeastern Indonesia after being warned that a large tsunami triggered by a Japanese earthquake could pound their shores.

But a meteorological official says only a 4-inch (10-centimeter) wave hit the North Maluku islands and caused no known damage or injuries.

Fauzi, who uses only one name, says other areas could still be harder hit, and a second, larger tsunami might be on the way.

Alerts were issued along a long stretch of Indonesia''s coastline, triggering widespread panic after Friday''s massive 8.9-magnitude quake in Japan.

Indonesia was hardest hit by the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami that claimed more than 230,000 lives.