1980 Storm

High winds, high surf, and heavy rains battered the islands during the year, prompting Governor George R. Ariyoshi to issue state disaster proclamations on three occasions.

The January 1980 storm caused the heaviest losses. It was the third greatest disaster in state history, resulting in $30-35 million in damages to public and private property. Maui County, which was hardest hit, sustained damages estimated at $12-15 million. President Carter declared the county a disaster area, making available federal disaster assistance.

Storms hit Hawaii County most frequently, causing major damage in November 1979, and January and March 1980.

– 1980 Annual Report pp. 17

Three disasters keep SCD hopping

by Bill Roome
State Civil Defense

It has been approximately 100,000 years since Diamond Head Crater last erupted but one would get the impression that this majestic land mark was stirring or certainly restless by the rumblings going on in Birkhimer Tunnel, home of State Civil Defense
(SCD).

Many of the SCD staff have been on the constant go since February 1979, handling surf, heavy rains and flooding, prompted President Jimmy Carter, at the request of Governor George R. Ariyoshi, to declare Maui County a major disaster area. To date, statewide damage estimates have surpassed $25 million. With the President’s declaration, Maui now is entitled to Federal disaster assistance funds and loans.

One of the first steps that will be taken by SCD in coordinating the statewide disaster assistance effort will be to brief concerned State and county agencies applying for public disaster relief. Once this is completed, a statewide survey of damaged public facilities will be conducted to develop detailed engineering reports of each damaged site or facility. Finally, the disaster assistance applications will be processed, and Federal funds will be disbursed through SCD.

Persons who suffered damages from the January storm will be able to apply for low interest loans through individual agencies such as the U.S. Small Business Administration, the Farmers Home Administration, and the State Department of Planning and Economic Development.

Earlier, a state disaster was declared by the Governor for the Big lsland in November 1979 following damaging heavy rains and flooding. In Waipio Valley alone, 49 persons were evacuated and many taro farms destroyed. Following emergency restoration work on the Waipio Valley stream by the Hawaii Army National Guard and other state agencies, SCD began to approve State and county requests for financial assistance to repair damaged public facilities.

And there’s more: although the February 1979 Presidential declaration disaster for Hawaii County may have been forgotten by many people, State Civil Defense still is busy processing requests for supplemental Federal disaster assistance and requests for cash advances on disaster work still in progress. SCD is also coordinating final inspection of completed disaster projects and reimbursements of State and Federal disaster funds.

The target date for completing restoration of Big Island public facilities damaged from the February 1979 disaster is late 1980. To date, there are no estimates as to when restoration will be complete following the November 1979 and January 1980 floods and storms.

– 1980 February Pūpūkahi pp. 4

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.

-Bill Roome
Civil Defense

– 1980 June Pūpūkahi pp. 6

The State is still awaiting FEMA’s review and comments on Maui’s January 1980 flood and heavy rain disaster (FEMA Case 613) and Maui’s March 30-April 2, 1982 flood and heavy rain disaster (FEMA Case 656). SCD will review FEMA audit comments and prepare the request for final payment for these two disasters.

– 1984 Annual Report pp. 15

Heavy rains and flooding caused extensive damage to Maui County in January 1980 (FEMA 613-DR). Funding 100 percent of eligible costs for repairs to public property, the federal government issued $2,351,371 in disaster aid to the state and Maui County.

– 1985 Annual Report pp. 16