Hawaii National Guard personnel stationed on Maui were activated to aid Maui County civil authorities in evacuating residents during the heavy rain and windstorms in January. Power generators and operators were provided to overcome critical power shortages.
– 1980 Annual Report pp. 14
Maui guardsmen aid neighbors during flooding
The Hawaii Army National Guard was called into action twice to aid Maui County and its residents during the severe January storm that buffeted the Valley Isle.
At the request of Maui County officials, Gov. George R. Ariyoshi ordered 40 Hawaii Army National Guardsmen to State Active Duty Jan. 8-11 to assist stranded or displaced residents.
The National Guard armory in Wailuku was opened up Jan. 8 at 11:40 p.m. to temporarily house some 25 Maui residents affected by the heavy rains and flooding. Twelve Army Guardsmen were again called upon the following morning to assist county medical, police and civil defense personnel in crossing flooded roads. Waters too deep for regular and emergency vehicles required the use of six water-fordable utility transports called “Gamma Goats,” and one 2½-ton transport truck to cross into the Kihei and Makawao areas. The Gamma Goats are large troop carriers with extra-wide flotation tires, and were used to evacuate citizens in these areas.
All guard personnel and equipment were pulled off State Active Duty by midafternoon of Jan. 9 when relief assistance no longer was needed.
Then on Jan. 10, the guardsmen were recalled to assist stranded Maui residents for a second full day after the already battered island suffered even more destruction from the Pacific storms.
Activated in two additional phases, the first contingent of 17 guardsmen was called out at 11 p.m. Wednesday and the second, group of 11 guardsmen was mobilized at 3:30 a.m. Thursday. Hawaii Army National Guardsmen again provided vital transportation for Maui County emergency personnel, as well as temporary housing for residents affected by the wind-lashed rains and flooding.
Seventy-five displaced people were evacuated and housed in the National Guard armory in Wailuku. During the final call-up of National Guardsmen, five more medium-sized amphibious Army Guard transport trucks were used, bringing the total vehicle count to eleven.
– 1980 February Pūpūkahi pp. 5
Big Island storms claim lives; damage property
The past 14 months certainly have been disastrous for the people of Hawaii County. Various storms have claimed the lives of seven people, caused approximately $14 million in damages to public and private
property, and forced many residents to evacuate their homes during storm periods.Gov. George R. Ariyoshi has declared the county a major disaster area four times. President Carter proclaimed the county a disaster area in February 1979 and has been asked to release federal funds to restore public facilities damaged during the March tempest.
Mother nature began her unbenign frenzy in February 1979. During that month, heavy rains deluged the island. quickly saturating the soil in many districts and causing extensive flooding. In a single 24-hour period, 22.3 inches of rain fell in the Hilo area. During a 10-day period, 250 families were evacuated.
When the sun finally reappeared, a total of 200 homes had suffered various degrees of damage. Approximately 300 people later applied for such disaster assistance as low-interest emergency loans and grants, and damage estimates reach $6 million. The governor declared a state disaster, triggering the release of $500,000 in restoration funds; President Carter followed by declaring Hawaii County a federal disaster area.
In November 1979, heavy rains once again inundated sections of the county, resulting in the governor declaring Puna, Ka ‘u, South and North Hilo. Hamakua, and South and North Kohala major disaster areas. One person lost his life during the storm and approximately 120 people were evacuated. A total of 49 persons from the Waipio Valley area alone were relocated and many taro farms in the valley were destroyed.
The National Gaurd was quickly sent into the valley following the storm to clear debris and to rechannel water back into the Wailoa and Hiilawe Streams. Total damage to public and private property was $4 million.
In January of this year, the entire state was subjected to a tempest that left behind damages totaling some $27 million. Three people lost their lives in Hawaii County and about $300,000 in damages was recorded. A state disaster was declared for all counties.
The latest mayhem to strike Hawaii County occurred this March. claiming three more lives and inundating many districts on the windward side of the island. Damage estimates for the county continue to come in to the State Civil Defense Division, with the latest tallies exceeding $3 million.
According to Steve Philben, SCD disaster assistance planner, some structures, such as the Waiohinu flood project, were severely damaged and repaired following the February storm; and then again were damaged in the March disaster.
The governor has already declared the Big Island a major disaster area and has asked the President again to declare Hawaii County a federal disaster area. lf this request is approved, Hawaii County will be eligible for federal funds to restore public facilities, such as roads, water and drainage facilities.
-Bil Roome
Civil Defense– 1980 June Pūpūkahi pp. 6