A string of tsunami waves, spurred by a powerful earthquake off of Canada's west coast, have reached Hawaii, where officials are evaluating whether to issue an all-clear.

A tsunami warning was issued following a 7.7 magnitude earthquake and several aftershocks off Canada's west coast late Saturday night.

The islands remain a tsunami warning, and evacuation centers are open in dozens of locations.

Neil Abercrombie, the governor of Hawaii, has signed an emergency proclamation.

Such a proclamation hands the governor emergency powers to deal with natural and man-made disasters or emergencies.

The initial quake was centered off the Queen Charlotte Islands, near the west coast of British Columbia, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

The Tsunami warning urges those along the immediate coastline to move to higher ground, because of the possibility large waves could be generated by the quake.

A 5.8-magnitude aftershock was felt 96 miles south of Masset, Canada, according to the USGS, followed by several smaller aftershocks.

A widespread destructive tsunami threat does not exist based on historical data, says the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center.

A tsunami warning originally issued for British Columbia and Alaska was downgraded to a tsunami advisory. Advisories for Northern California and Southern Oregon remain in place. Alaska was initially under a warning, then an advisory, but the advisory there has been canceled.