I'll speculate that the smaller heights (up to 5 feet, 1 1/2 meters) are from (automated?) tide guages and the waves were higher elsewhere, or at least ran up much higher.

HW is involved in pressure sensor installation along the East Pacific Rise. They are designed to show whether the spreading axis is inflating or deflating (magma chamber changes), but they should also measure the pressure of a tsunami pasiing over. I think they will be out in late December to retrieve these sensors.
Chris