HILO, Hawaii (AP) --The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center has canceled its tsunami warning for Hawaii, with the state apparently escaping the roiling waves unscathed.

Gov. Linda Lingle says no damage has been reported in any county. Tidal surges were observed Saturday along the coasts but did not roar ashore. She's calling it "a great day now that it's over."

The extent of the damage was not immediately clear. But the initial waves did not appear to be serious, looking more like an extreme fluctuation in the tide than a giant tsunami.

The wave began affecting Hilo Bay on the Big Island just before noon local time. Water began pulling away from shore, exposing reefs and sending dark streaks of muddy, sandy water offshore.

Water later washed over Coconut Island, a small park off the coast of Hilo.

The tsunami raced across the Pacific Ocean in terrifying force after the magnitude-8.8 quake hit Chile. Hawaii officials had ample time to get people out of the potential disaster area, and thousands were evacuated.