"even in parts of the United States" Do they mean American Samoa? Which is about 600 miles away, so not surprising given it was heard in NZ about twice as far

"even in parts of the United States" Do they mean American Samoa? Which is about 600 miles away, so not surprising given it was heard in NZ about twice as far away. Oh! Wikipedia says it was heard in Alaska (but not Hawaii?). So why not say "Alaska"?