1950 Waimea, Kauai Flood Response

Waimea. Kauai Flood: A flash flood of the Waimea river in August swept through the town isolating and threatening the lives of hundreds of its inhabitants. Approximately twenty volunteers from the 3rd Bn 298th Infantry, Kauai rushed to the assistance of the civil agencies. The 3rd Bn DUKW proved extremely valuable in the rescue of 80 persons who were hopelessly trapped in the path of the swirling river. These guardsmen stayed on the job continuously for three days and received high praise from many sources for their efficient service.

To care for the evacuees, the American Red Cross needed blankets, clothing, cots, and other supplies, all of which had to be flown in from Honolulu. The 199th Fighter Squadron, HANG was requested to assist and within two and one-half hours a C-46 was on its way carrying the essential supplies required.

– 1950-1951 Annual Report pp. 15

HNG and the Waimea Flood

Guardsmen from the 3rd Bn., 298th Infantry, stationed on the Island of Kauai, Hawaii, received warm commendation from the Governor, Kauai Government officials, and disaster relief agencies for splendid rescue efforts in August 1950 at Waimea, Kauai. A flash flood swept through the town of Waimea cutting off the town and threatening the lives of hundreds of citizens. Volunteers from Hq. Co., Co. I, and Co. K immediately manned trucks and one amphibious DUKW. Despite heavy winds and torrential rains, they rescued a considerable number of the town’s cosmopolitan population. The DUKW, operated by Cpl. Robert Rego and directed by Charles Cherry and Lt. Tokunori Yamada brought in over 80 persons cut off and almost given up for lost. Hundreds of cots, blankets, and aid materials were carried by the Guardsmen as they worked and fought the flood round the clock for 3 successive days. Lt. Col. Albert Duvel, Bn. CO, coordinated their efforts assisted by Lt. Abel Medeiros, other members of the staff, and M/ Sgts. Edward Miyake, Charles Schimmelfennig, Sgts. Lawrence Carvalho, Dominader Tomacder, Kan Yau Chang, Albert Kali, and Cpl. Robert Rego.

Warm praise for men of Kauai’s Guard units was extended by Ingram Stainback, Governor of Hawaii in a letter to the units as follows; “Will you please convey my thanks and congratulations to the officers and men of the 3rd, Bn., 298th Inf., Hawaii National Guard, for the excellent public service performed by them during the recent flood at Waimea, Kauai. The task of evacuating residents of Waimea from the danger zone was accomplished in an efficient manner. Members of the Guard on Kauai demonstrated that they are able and willing to cooperate fully with other organizations such as the Red Cross and the County Government. They Showed that the Guard is ready to serve in peace time as well as in war.”

Brig. General F. W. Makinney added further praise by stating; “I wish to add my congratulations for a task splendidly performed. It is by such outstanding work that our Hawaii National Guard holds an enviable position.”

Col. R. L. Stevenson, RCT Commander added still further praise by stating “The splendid cooperation and fine efficiency of the Kauai units upheld the tradition and reputation of the 298th Infantry Regiment. My congratulations for a fine job well-done.”

– 1950 October The Hawaii Guardsmen pp. 13

LET EM COME!

by ROBERT A. HITE, 1ST LT., HANG

. . .

The Hawaii Air National Guard prides itself on the fact that it is always on the alert, always prepared for an emergency—local or national. It was fortunate that such was the case during August of this year. The rampaging Waimea River on Kauai overflowed its banks. Families were forced from their homes in Waimea Valley, and the area was inundated. About 300 persons—men, women, and children—were quartered in the Waimea Community Hall. They needed blankets, clothing, cots, and other supplies. They needed them badly, and they needed them quickly.

Lt. Col. Philip C. Turner, G-2, received an anxious call on August 17 from the American Red Cross. They had the supplies but no way of getting them to the flood victims. Col. Turner called Maj. Lucien Parish, HANG.

“When?” Major Parish asked.

“As soon as possible!”

Within an hour and a half of the call from the Red Cross, a HANG C-46 was being loaded at Hickam Air Base. In another 45 minutes, the sleek, silver plane rose high into the sky, its course set for the Garden Island of Kauai. Forty-two minutes later, Maj. Valentine Siefermann made a perfect landing without the aid of ground-direction devices or ground crews on the abandoned Barking Sands airstrip. This airstrip was used because vehicles could not cross the Waimea River, and supplies had to be dropped on the Waimea side.

Major Siefermann’s capable co-pilot was Lt. Vernon Flake. His flight engineer was Sgt. Herman Adams. Staff Sgt. Richard S. O. Lee, photographer, was also aboard. Several of the pictures he took were used by the local Honolulu newspapers.

Two others were aboard, too—Mr. Wendel Bayne of the ARC and Lt. Richard R. Williams, who represented Col. Turner as Public Information Officer.

The Red Cross supplies were taken to Waimea on a truck loaned by the Kekaha Sugar Company. The truck was met at the Waimea Community Hall by Maj. Chun and Capt. Blake of the 298th’s 3rd Battalion.

About twenty volunteers of the headquarters company had worked many long hours evacuating families from the flood area. They used a “duck” that had been sent to Kauai for just such purposes only a short time previously. Guardsmen drove the duck from house to house, picking up victims. Approximately 80 families were taken to the community hall.

Said Major Chun: “Everything is under control. The operation has been orderly, and the guardsmen are doing one helluva good job!”

. . .

– 1950 October The Hawaii Guardsmen pp. 7-9

A flash flood of the Waimea River in August swept through the town, isolating and threatening the lives of hundreds of its inhabitants. About twenty volunteers from the Third Battalion, 298th Infantry, Kauai, rushed to aid the civil agencies. The Third Battalion’s assistance saved about 80 persons who were hopelessly trapped in the floodwaters of the swirling river. These Guardsmen stayed on the job continuously for three days and received high praise for their service. The 199th Fighter Squadron also assisted in carrying the essential supplies needed by the Red Cross.

– 1956 September Hawaii Guardsmen pp. 4

1950 (August)

A flash flood in Waimea, Kauai, marooned many people and caused considerable damage. Volunteer Guardsmen rescued over 80 persons hopelessly trapped by rising water. Guardsmen worked three days and set up hundreds of cots and loaned many blankets to flood victims. The Air Guard flew needed supplies to Kauai.

– 1963 June The Hawaii Guardsman pp. 7

A flash flood hit Waimea, Kauai in Aug 1950. A HANG C-46 was winging its way to Kauai loaded with American Red Cross blankets, clothing, cots and other supplies within 2½ hours of request.

– HANG 25 History of Hawaii Air National Guard pp. 18