1979 Hawaiʻi Island Floods Response

During January and February, the County of Hawaii sustained record breaking rainfall that caused flooding in many sections of the county. Due to the severity of the rains, President Jimmy Carter, at the request of Governor George R. Ariyoshi, proclaimed Hawaii County a major disaster area for the period February 15-26, 1979.

– 1979 Annual Report pp. 16

Ground and air evacuation transportation was the primary assistance provided during the flooding . One life saving task included medical evacuation from Pahala to Hilo of a patient requiring critical dialysis treatment.

– 1979 Annual Report pp. 6

Big Island residents accept disaster; life returns to normal as disaster subsides

by Bill Roome
CD Information Specialist

“I’ve lived in Hilo for nearly 40 years and the recent February rains were the worst I have seen, but most of the people/ know will rebuild or replant and go on as before,” reflected Ed Tanaka, a Big Island resident. Residents of the Big Island are philosophical about disasters. And with good reason!

They have suffered devastating blows from tsunamis, had many of their public structures indiscriminately dissected by earthquakes and been forced to abandon their homes because of a temperamental lady named Madame Pele.

So when the latest disaster struck – the steady February rains that caused flooding in many parts of the county – Big Island residents took the setback in stride. According to Charlie De Meo, State Civil Defense administrative officer, most of the people who applied for assistance were optimistic and eager to return to their normal ways of life.

During February, severe rains caused damage to many agricultural fields, homes and public structures in the Hilo, Puna and Hamakua area. In a single 24-hour period, a record 22.3 inches of rain fell in the Hilo area.

Due to the copious amounts of rain, on March 7 President Jimmy Carter, at the request of Governor George R. Ariyoshi, proclaimed the County of Hawaii a major disaster area, and a State Civil Defense disaster assistance team moved into Hilo. Once the State Civil Defense team had conferred with State and county officials and representatives from a federal assistance team, a disaster assistance center was opened at the National Guard Armory in Hilo to assist individuals and families who suffered flood related losses.

During the seven days the center was open (March 13-19), 329 people registered for various low-interest loans, grants and other means of assistance. Some of these programs included tax advice, temporary housing, business and personal loans, American Red Cross assistance and the Individual and Family Grant (IFG) Program.

Although the majority seeking assistance requested state and federal, tax advice, a surprising number of people (140 applicants) sought relief under the Individual and Family Grant Program. Originally, State Civil Defense estimated that approximately 60 people would apply for the program.

Under the IFG Program, victims who have disaster-related necessary expenses or serious needs, and who cannot qualify for any other means of assistance, can apply for a grant totaling upwards of $5000.

The program works as follows: Once a victim has applied for a grant, a caseworker interviews the applicant and verifies the necessary items, listed on the application, as being damaged by the disaster. Once this is completed, the caseworker forwards the findings to an administrative panel, comprised of State government employees, who decide if the applicant qualifies for the grant, and if so, how much he or she will receive.

To date, not all of the applicants have been processed, but a sample of those that have been processed include grants for an automobile, school books for a Big Island student and a $5000 grant to assist in rebuilding a house. De Meo estimates that all the applications will be processed by June.

Yes, it is true, disaster relief programs can never replace the anguish and sorrow caused by the loss of personal property but the programs do make it possible to get a fresh start in returning to a normal way of life

– 1979 June Pūpūkahi pp. 2

ARMY GUARD TO THE RESCUE

When heavy rains, flooding .and bad road conditions damaged parts of the Big Island in February (see CD story), an Army Guard helicopter and flight crew were called to State Active Duty to air evacuate a Big Island resident in urgent need of medical attention.

Captain Victor Chun, Chief Warrant Officer Ed Spencer and Sergeant Ronald Ueda flew the lifesaving mission from Pahala Hospital to Hilo Hospital. where the patient received kidney dialysis treatment.

– 1979 June Pūpūkahi pp. 8