NEW : `` You could hear the rattling of the metal '' of a large chain link fence around the lot , Brown said . White House declares major disaster ; requests federal aid . U.S. sends ships with aid , officials to help American people . Magnitude-8.0 quake struck near Hawaiian Islands early Tuesday . Quake struck at depth of 7.4 miles , triggered by 5-foot tsunamis .
NEW : White House declares major disaster ; requests federal aid . U.S. sends ships with aid , officials to help American people . Magnitude-8.0 quake struck near Hawaiian Islands early Tuesday . Quake struck at depth of 7.4 miles , triggered by 5-foot tsunamis .