Disaster Relief: A series of tidal waves hit the North shore of Kauai during the period 0830-1030 on 9 March 1957 causing extensive property damage. It completely destroyed most of the homes in its wake and washed away several bridges thereby isolating several communities.
Civil Defense Agencies on Kauai were immediately dispatched to the stricken areas and Governor Samuel W. King and Maj Gen F.W. Makinney arrived at 1530 hours to make an inspection of the disaster area.
Elements of the 2d Bn 299th Inf were called into T.H. service at 091800 March 1957 to assist the civil authorities and were immediately employed in maintaining law and order by establishing and maintaining guard posts and roving patrols. They also assisted in the evacuation of displaced persons, furnished 300 blankets and 50 cots to the American Red Cross and assisted Co B, 65th Engr Bn, 25th Inf Div in the construction of a Bailey Bridge at Kalihiwai. Elements of this battalion remained on duty until 31 March 1957.118 officers and enlisted men participating for a total of 989 man days.
– 1957 Annual Report pp. 5
During the fiscal year, this fund, in addition to providing for encampment pay for 5,433 enlisted personnel, was expended in support of pay and allowances for 5 officers and 113 enlisted men who were called to emergency service of the Territory during the March 9-31 tidal wave disaster on Kauai. Total expenditures out of this fund for the fiscal year is as follows:
Annual Encampment-June 1956 $50,727.20
– 1957 Annual Report pp. 9
Kauai Tidal Wave Disaster-March 1957 5,406.80
Total Expenditure $56,134.00
HELL, HIGH WATER and KAUAI GUARDSMEN!
By EDDIE ANDERSON
It was a bright Saturday morning and the people of Kauai rose from their beds and started a new day with their usual chores, unaware of the pending disaster which was to strike a few short hours later. The date was March 9th.
Then it came!
The seismic wave, originating in the Aleutians, hit all the Hawaiian Islands but the Garden Island received its full fury.
The time was 0855 hours.
The Red Cross, Civil Defense and Kauai police officials were alerted.
Those on the island, not effected by the high, rushing water, headed toward the disaster area to lend a helping hand to wave victims. The Civil Air Patrol emergency group was quickly organized.
At 1530 hours, Governor Samuel Wilder King and Maj Gen F. W. Makinney arrived on Kauai to inspect the damage. At 1800 hours, the Guard on Kauai was called to active duty on a voluntary basis and were moved into the devastated area to assist the residents.
At 1900, the Red Cross made an emergency request for 50 cots and 300 blankets. By 2000 hours, the Red Cross had these items in their possession. Twenty minutes later, these blankets and cots along with medical supplies, food and other necessities were flown into the area by Marine helicopter.
This was the first day of “Operation Seismic Wave.”
The days to follow were much the same.
Kauai Guardsmen assisted the victims from dawn to dusk, many of them working through the night.
For the first few days, because of ruptured water mains, a bath was considered a luxury. Unshaven faces were a common sight.
The wave, with its tremendous force, toppled cement bridges, turned homes into rubble, rolled cars, took small boats and placed them in trees, and for a time, cut communications, water and electricity. And yet, miraculously, not a single life was lost.
Guardsmen, with rifles slung over their shoulders, walked their assigned posts for 18 days from Kalihiwai through Anihi and Hanalei to Haena, protecting absent property owners from would-be looters. The job was not an easy one and covered over 13 miles of coastline.
Personal property of home owners was scattered and mixed together over many square acres and the posts walked by Guardsmen were spread over a wide area.
It was a common sight in Hanalei to see Guardsmen mounted on horseback, patrolling their “Beat.”
Marine helicopters, flown to Kauai from Kaneohe, flew tons of food into the disaster area where volunteer Civil Air Patrol members and Guardsmen unloaded the “chopper.” Once delivered to Red Cross headquarters, the food was cooked and served hot to the homeless.
Those on duty with the Guard, messed at Hanalei school with headquarters at W aioli Mission, opposite the Hanalei courthouse.
At Kalihiwai, the wave totally destroyed the concrete bridge spanning the deep Kalihiwai river. Guardsmen, operating their amphibian across the river, landed, hauled and unloaded everything from clothing to washing machines.
On the 14th of March, reconstruction of the Kalihiwai bridge was started by the 65th Army Engineer battalion of the 25th Division. This prefabricated span, called the Bailey Bridge, was completed in 42 hours and traffic was restored through Kalihiwai valley with Governor King officially opening the bridge in simple ceremony.
– 1957 June The Hawaii Guardsmen pp. 2-3
The tidal waves of March 1957 on Kauai required troops to prevent looting of homes damaged by waves.
– 1958 March The Hawaii Guardsmen pp. 14
1957 (March)
A seismic wave, originating in the Aleutians, hit the Hawaiian Islands without warning. Although all islands were hit by the early morning wave, Kauai received its full fury. Kauai Guardsmen were on duty 22 days and assisted in evacuating people from stricken areas and performed guard duty to prevent looting.
– 1963 June The Hawaii Guardsman pp. 7