1960 Tsunami

REPAREDNESS IS THE WORD

By Fred C. Pugarelli

State Civil Defense maintains a vigorous program of preparing government agencies and the public to survive any natural or military disaster that may occur.

“As long-time residents know,” CD officials state, “Hawaii is subject to devastating tsunamis (tidal waves), such as the 1960 tsunami that killed 61 people in Hilo, Hawaii. Even worse was the 1946 tsunami that killed 159 people and injured 163 on all the major islands of the Hawaiian chain.” . .

– 1969 Summer The Hawaii Guardsman pp. 15

Civ-Alert marks 15th birthday

By Fred Pugarelli
Civil Defense, PIO

. . .

Funds to establish the studio were provided by the State Legislature in a special session after the disastrous seismic sea wave (tidal wave) on May 22, 1960.

Said to be Hawaii’s worst disaster in a decade, the tsunami killed 61 Hilo residents and caused more than $25 million damage on the islands of Hawaii, Oahu, Maui, Molokai, Lanai and Kauai.

– 1975 October – November Pūpūkahi pp. 2 & 4

Civil Defense prepares State for tsunami

by Fred C. Pugarelli
State Civil Defense

. . .

Tsunami prediction is not an exact science due to the large number of variables involved. But history shows that when the great waves strike, they claim the lives of those who have ignored the natural or official warnings.

In Hawaii, 173 persons were killed by the April 1, 1946, tsunami, and 61 in the May 23, 1960, tsunami. . .

– 1977 June Pūpūkahi pp. 8