Department of Defense

Presidential Disaster Declared. Over Oct. 28 – Nov. 2, 2000, Hawaii County recorded some of the heaviest rains and flooding in its history. Twentyfour hour rainfall totals reported record numbers from Hilo to Pahala, with the Hilo Airport recording nearly 28 inches and Pahala over 36 inches. The steady downpour caused widespread damage to roadways, bridges, homes and businesses. After a prolonged period of drought, the rains came suddenly, produced by the remnants of a tropical depression. While Hawaii County was the most severely impacted, portions of Maui and Moloka’i also reported minor damages.

– 2001 Annual Report pp. 23