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1987 Oahu’s New Year’s Flood

December 29, 2025
Categories: 
1980ʻs, HIEMA History
In the aftermath of Oahu's New Year flood, Hawaii Army National Guard dump trucks from the 22 7th Engineer Company brought in loads of dirt and gravel to repair the eroded Kahena Street. The temporary by-pass on Kahena Street enabled cars to be removed following the worst flood in Oahu's history.
In the aftermath of Oahu’s New Year flood, Hawaii Army National Guard dump trucks from the 22 7th Engineer Company brought in loads of dirt and gravel to repair the eroded Kahena Street. The temporary by-pass on Kahena Street enabled cars to be removed following the worst flood in Oahu’s history.
(Picture from the 1988 Annual Report)

Topping the list for State Civil Defense and a host of frontline responders was Oahu’s New Year’s Flood. From managing response to spearheading recovery efforts, Federal, State and County agencies devoted tremendous time and energy to speed restoration of flood-torn Oahu neighborhoods.

Signaling the start of wet winter weather in December ’87, a series of storm-fronts began to drench the island of Oahu. From mid-month on, heavy rains continued to saturate the ground, causing isolated flooding and the buildup of debris. In the early afternoon of Dec. 31, yet another downpour brought heavy rains to many portions of Oahu. With no letup in the weather, local flooding began to occur. Shortly before 8 p.m., the National Weather Service issued flashflood warnings. From that time on until the early hours of Jan. 1, flooding caused unprecedented damage to East Oahu, Waimanalo and Kailua. For thousands of Oahu residents stunned by the destruction caused by receding floodwaters, the next few days, weeks and months were spent salvaging what remained of homes and personal property.

As emergency crews worked aroundthe-clock to aid stranded residents, control traffic, and begin the massive job of cleaning up, the magnitude of the situation quickly became apparent. Preliminary damage surveys revealed property losses in the millions and confirmed that a disaster of major proportions had occurred. The Oahu New Year’s Flood made headlines nationwide and would continue to make the news in the ensuing months.

Government officials moved promptly to aid Oahu flood victims. As damage estimates continued to climb, Gov. John Waihee issued a Disaster Proclamation, appealing for presidential emergency consideration. The Presidential declaration was granted on Jan. 8, opening the door for Federal assistance. The FEMA quickly set up field operations to coordinate Federal, State and County disaster assistance programs. By Jan. 12, recovery efforts were in full swing with the opening of three Disaster Application Centers housing one-stop help for personal and financial needs.

Recovery operations continued into mid-1988 as a host of Federal, State and County agencies worked to process loan applications and other support services. The Oahu New Year’s Flood was the first Federally declared disaster in Hawaii since Hurricane lwa in 1982.

Damages resulting from rainstorms and flooding during the period from Dec. 11, 1987 to Jan. 2, 1988 totaled $34,606 ,168. This included $5,836,168 worth of damage to public property and $28,780,000 to private property. With losses nearing the $35 million mark and thousands of residents affected, it was the worst recorded flooding incident in Oahu’s history.

– 1988 Annual Report pp. 14

Recovery efforts for the 1988 New Year’s flood came to a close in 1989. Federal, State and county agencies disbursed over $26 million in disaster aid on Oahu, following heavy rains and flooding from Dec. 11, 1987 to Jan. 2, 1988. Close to $880 thousand of that sum was in local bank loans and American Red Cross contributions. Disaster relief dollars assisted with personal and property losses, commercial losses, and repair work on government property.

– 1989 Annual Report pp. 16