1996 Oahu Floods Response

ALWAYS READY, ALWAYS THERE - More than 300 Hawaii National Guard soldiers and airmen took a proactive approach to cleaning up after intense flooding devastated Oahu. They picked up 1.6 million pounds of debris. Hawaii National Guard photo
OPERATION KOKUA – Hawaii Army National Guard soldiers clean debris on the Waianae coast left by the election day flood. Sgt. 1st Class Wayne T. Iha photo
(Pictures from the 1997 Annual Report)

The State Civil Defense system worked well during the November 1996 floods that impacted all islands. The initial response and recovery effort was effective and involved all levels of government. The Hawaii National Guard (HING) worked above and beyond the call of duty, after parts of Oahu were declared a disaster area in November 1996. From November 5-16, 1996, rainstorms produced the worst flooding on Oahu in 10 years. HING members were called to State active duty from November 17 to December 1, to help their neighbors clean up in the aftermath of the flooding. A total of 165 Hawaii Army National Guard (HIARNG) and 138 Hawaii Air National Guard (HIANG) members were deployed during “Operation Kokua,” with the mission of removing contaminated debris and distributing health-hazard warnings to citizens. Over 1.6 million pounds of debris was removed from Maili, Waianae, Makaha, Nanakuli on the leeward coast, and in the Haleiwa and Waialua area on the north shore.

– 1997 Annual Report pp. 1
OPERATIONS BRIEFING - Col. Myron N. Dobashi gives a briefing on the status of disaster assistance mission, Operation KOKUA, at the Maili Elementary School command center in November 1996. Dobashi is the commander of the Hawaii Air National Guard's 201st Combat Communications Group. Sgt. 1st Class Wayne T. Iha photo
(Picture from the 1997 Annual Report)

During the first weeks of November 1996, torrential rain fell on the Waianae coast and north shore of the island of Oahu. The resulting flooding devastated local farmers and businesses and soon posed a growing health threat to area residents. Under the auspices of Operation KOKUA, HIARNG units and personnel were heavily involved in the operational planning, coordination of relief agencies, and the actual removal of over 1.6 million pounds of flood debris.

– 1997 Annual Report pp. 11
MAILI RECON Gov. Benjamin J. Cayetano, joined by Maj. Gen. Edward V. Richardson and Councilman John DeSoto, assess the damage caused by the November election day flood. Sgt. 1st Class Wayne T. Iha photo
MAILI RECON Gov. Benjamin J. Cayetano, joined by Maj. Gen. Edward V. Richardson and Councilman John DeSoto, assess the damage caused by the November election day flood. Sgt. 1st Class Wayne T. Iha photo
(Picture from the 1997 Annual Report)

Hawaii Air National Guard personnel were mobilized on State Active Duty in November 1996 for the largest disaster-relief operation in Hawaii, since Hurricane Iniki struck in 1992. From Nov. 19-30, 1996, the 154th Wing and the 201st personnel and equipment from Oahu units supported Operation KOKUA, a State of Hawaii public health emergency caused by severe flooding from extremely heavy rains in early November. The flooding primarily affected the Waianae and Haleiwa districts on the island of Oahu. More than 730 truckloads of debris weighing in excess of 1.6 million pounds, were removed from these areas to alleviate the health hazards to the thousands of residents.

– 1997 Annual Report pp. 14
OPERATION KOKUA (above) - Hawaii Air National Guard airmen gather debris washed down by the election day flood on Oahu's Waianae coast. Sgt. 1st Class Wayne T. Iha photo
OPERATION KOKUA (above) – Hawaii Air National Guard airmen gather debris washed down by the election day flood on Oahu’s Waianae coast. Sgt. 1st Class Wayne T. Iha photo
(Picture from the 1997 Annual Report)

Record rains, flooding on Oahu in November. Record rains on Oahu over Nov. 5-17, 1996, caused severe problems for portions of the island. Some rain gages topped 100-year totals, as over 20 inches of rain was recorded in a 12-hour period in some areas. Farmers and growers were hard hit by water damage, as were local homeowners and businesses. As the rains receded, Operation KOKUA was launched to clean up debris and standing water. The effort netted over 1.6 million pounds of debris and 96 abandoned vehicles in two sweeps carried out over Nov. 23 and 30 on the leeward coast and north shore. Damages were estimated in excess of $12 million, with over $2 million in repairs to public facilities. Sixty-eight Oahu homes reported minor damage, and six reported major damage. Coupled with economic losses, damages on Oahu could top $20 million or more.

– 1997 Annual Report pp. 21