Sometimes ancient wisdom is the best. I have read that one of the strongest
"taboos" of the native Hawaiian culture involved the danger of turning one's
back to the ocean. (I'm guessing they had a similar one about sleeping on or
near the beach). Obviously observation had taught them valuable lessons
which were inculcated in future generations via the mechanism of religion.
(I imagine something similar dictated many of the Jewish dietary laws).


" what i heard was a detection system would take 2 hours to come up with
a warning and since land masses in the indian ocean where much closer
together than in the pacific the wave would hit before or at about the
same time as the warning could be issued....what i also heard was if
you are ever at the coast and the sea suddenly goes out a very long way
for no apparent reason don't call your freinds and family over to come
and look, instead run away very fast.


--
Eyebright