History

History of Disasters in Hawaiʻi

Throughout history the residents and visitors of Hawaiʻi have lived under constant threat of a disaster impacting the islands with little to no warning. The advent of technology has allowed Hawaiʻi Emergency Management Agency, in collaboration with other government and non-government agencies, to develop and implement early warning countermeasures to protect the people of Hawaiʻi. Even with the best warning technologies and systems in place, having a good understanding of the types of disasters that may affect the islands is an important step for an individual to make an educated decision for that individual and their family.

Chile Earthquake and Tsunami – May 1960

In May 22, 1960, the southern coast of Chile was rocked by the strongest earthquake to date recorded magnitude 9.5. This event generated tsunami conditions throughout the Pacific, with waves being recorded at 33 feet at their crest. Fifteen hours later, eight waves began arriving in Hawaiian waters between twelve and twenty minutes apart, and crashed in the town of Hilo, Waiakea, and Shimachi downtown area. The tsunami caused the deaths of 61 people and injured 262 more, as well as the destruction of 229 dwellings and 308 business and public buildings. The cost of the total damage was $23 million or $79,104,392 if event occurred in 2013.

At a Glance

  • May 22, 1960, 9.5M earthquake, largest earthquake ever instrumentally recorded, occurred in southern Chile.
    • Generated waves up to 33 ft. which traveled at 30+ mph.
    • 6,213 miles from Hawaiʻi
    • 15 hours to reach Hilo shores
  •  May 23, 1960

“I looked out here and saw this great big black wall coming in like this… The noise was terrific, the rolling… And then you heard the screaming. You look and people were stomping, trying to reach earth, trying to get out. Dogs swimming around. Then came the crash… Well, it hit buildings, the lighthouse, and the railroad track, and everything… And I said, ‘Oh, that’s good-bye to Hilo.’ ”  —Kapua Heuer

https://www.oralhistory.hawaii.edu/pages/historical/tsunami.html

https://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/volcanowatch/archive/1994/94_05_20.html

https://www.tsunami.org/archivesmore1960.html

Timeline: May 21-23, 1960 (in HST)

May 21

  • 0003: First foreshock registering 7.5 on the Richter Scale, generates tsunami in Hilo Bay of 1 inch

May 22

  • 0938: Earthquake registers 8.5 on Richter Scale detected at Honolulu Observatory
  • 1159: Public advisory bulletin issued
  • 1230: Valparaiso, Chile hit by 10 foot tsunami
  • 1245: State Civil Defense Public Information Officer issues news bulletin
  • 2035: Sirens sounded in Hilo bay front area (four more times until 2100)
  • 2100: Hilo does not sound sirens again for the duration of the emergency
  • 2230: Tahiti hit by 3 foot tsunami
  • 2305: La Jolla, California hit by 1 foot wave

May 23

  • 0007: US Geological Survey Volcano Observatory and Hawaiʻi National Parks report sea level change at Wailuku Bridge
  • 0013: Water crested at +4 ft.
  • 0030: Expected time of tsunami arrival, water crest is -3 ft.
  • 0026: First wave
  • 0048: Second wave
  • 0105: Third and largest wave

Hurricane Iniki on September 11, 1992

  • September 9: Tropical storm Iniki is 570 miles south of Hilo
    • Moving west at 16 mph wind at 70 mph gusts of 85 mph
    • Hurricane Orlene, 1300 miles east of Hawaiʻi is weakening
  • September 10:Iniki is 385 miles southwest of Hawaiʻi
    • Moving at 14 mph winds at 100 mph and gusts of 120 mph
  • September 11: Iniki’s path is headed directly for Kauaʻi, Oʻahu, Maui, and Molokaʻi are in tropical storm warnings
    • Iniki is 200 miles wide
    • Eye headed directly for Kauaʻi
    • Winds estimated to be 125 mph in Kauaʻi with high surf of 30 ft.
    • Civil Defense plans to recommend all schools shut down on Kauaʻi and Oʻahu.
    • Civil Defense activates EAS and EBRS at 0500

Hurricanes (typhoons) are by nature the most frequent and devastating natural disasters faced by coastal cities. High winds, massive storm surges, giant waves, and torrential rain all compound together to reign havoc upon a community. Hurricanes cause billions of dollars of damage a year throughout the world. A hurricane in Hawaiʻi is a rare event; however that does not mean that we are immune. Hurricanes in the islands are a constant threat due to the massive logistical challenges State Civil Defense and emergency workers face. Residents and visitors cannot simply pack up their vehicles and evacuate to another city or state, therefore it falls upon the logistic sector to ensure that adequate resources are available to handle the demand.

Hurricane Iniki challenged the State of Hawaiʻi and most notably the island of Kauaʻi’s capability to handle a Category IV storm which made direct landfall. As Iniki moved into the path of Kauaʻi , State Civil Defense and Hawaiʻi National Guard immediately began preplanning and staging operations in order to prepare the island as best as possible. Residents of Kauaʻi were warned of the immediate dangers early Friday, September 11, the day Iniki made landfall.

It was believed Iniki would continue in a westward direction, however in the early morning hours she began heading north, and by 0500 State Civil Defense sirens were warning residents and visitors of Kauaʻi and Niʻihau of the impending storm. With SCD’s early warning capability Kauaʻi had evacuated and opened all shelters in order to handle the influx residents and visitors in this time of need, this decision turned out to be a highly necessary evacuation as 1,421 dwellings were destroyed and another 5,152 heavily damaged (14,350 were affected).

Utilities were heavily affected as well; Kauaʻi lost power and telecommunications during the onset of the storm with 50% of telephone poles destroyed, and only 20% of the island regaining power after a period of four weeks.

Finally, the economic toll placed upon Kauaʻi at this time was a burden almost too much to bare, many of the island’s agricultural and livestock resources were destroyed in the storm, as well as many businesses, governmental buildings, and television and radio station destroyed by the storm. All told Iniki caused over $1.8 billion in damages ($3.04 billion in 2013).

https://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/assessments/iniki/iniki1.pdf

 

Other FEMA Declared Disasters

FEMA-4062-DR (Declared April 18, 2012)
Hawaii – Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides

On April 4, 2012, Governor Neil Abercrombie requested a major disaster declaration due to severe storms, flooding, and landslides during the period of March 3-11, 2012 (requests were made for Public Assistance for Kauaʻi County and Hazard Mitigation statewide).

April 18, 2012, President Obama declared that a major disaster exists in the State of Hawaiʻi. This declaration made Public Assistance requested by the Governor available to state and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the severe storms, flooding, and landslides in Kauaʻi County. This declaration also made Hazard Mitigation Grant Program assistance requested by the Governor available for hazard mitigation measures statewide.

Public Assistance

  • Primary Impact: Damage to roads and bridges
  • Total Public Assistance cost estimate: $2,235,053
  • Statewide per capita impact: $1.64
  • Statewide per capita impact indicator: $1.35
  • Countywide per capita impact: Kauai County: ($31.15)
  • Countywide per capita impact indicator: $3.39

FEMA-1967-DR (Declared April 8, 2011)
Hawaiʻi – Tsunami Waves

March 25, 2011, Governor Neil Abercrombie requested a major disaster declaration due to tsunami waves on March 11, 2011. The request was made for Public Assistance for three counties and the City of Honolulu as well as Hazard Mitigation statewide.

April 8, 2011, President Obama declared that a major disaster exists in the State of Hawaiʻi.

Public Assistance

  • Primary Impact: Damage to parks and recreational facilities
  • Total Public Assistance cost estimate: $7,521,761
  • Statewide per capita impact: $6.21
  • Statewide per capita impact indicator: $1.30
  • Countywide per capita impact: Hawaii County ($14.22),  Maui County ($18.73),  The City and County of Honolulu ($3.34)
  • Countywide per capita impact indicator: $3.27

FEMA-1814-DR (Declared January 5, 2009)
Hawaii Severe Storms and Flooding

December 24, 2008, Governor Linda Lingle requested a major disaster declaration due to heavy rains, high winds, and flooding caused by a low pressure system during the period of December 10-16, 2008, Governor Lingle requested a declaration for Individual Assistance for the City and County of Honolulu; Public Assistance for the City and County of Honolulu and the County of Kauaʻi; and Hazard Mitigation statewide.

January 5, 2009, President Bush declared that a major disaster exists in the State of Hawaiʻi.

Summary of Damage Assessment Information Used in Determining Whether to Declare a Major Disaster
Individual Assistance

  • Total Number of Residences Impacted: 2 541
  • Destroyed: 61
  • Major Damage: 109
  • Minor Damage: 254
  • Affected: 117
  • Percentage of insured residences: 3 (2%)
  • Percentage of low income households: 4 (90%)
  • Percentage of elderly households: 5
  • Total Individual Assistance cost estimate: $2,110,615

Public Assistance

  • Primary Impact: Costs associated with roads and bridges
  • Total Public Assistance cost estimate: $5,720,000
  • Statewide per capita impact: $4.72
  • Statewide per capita impact indicator: $1.31
  • Countywide per capita impact: Honolulu City and County ($3.65), Kauai County ($43.19) Countywide per capita impact indicator: $3.28

https://www.fema.gov/pdf/news/pda/1814.pdf

FEMA-1743-DR (Declared February 6, 2008)
Hawaiʻi Severe Storms, High Surf, Flooding, and Mudslides

January 5, 2008, Governor Linda Lingle requested a major disaster declaration due to severe weather with tropical storm force winds, heavy rains, high surf, storm surge, and flooding during the period of December 4-7, 2007, Governor Lingle requested a declaration for Public Assistance for three counties and Hazard Mitigation for all counties.

February 6, 2008, President George Bush declared that a major disaster exists in the State of Hawaiʻi. This declaration made available to State and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the severe storms, high surf, flooding, and mudslides in Hawaiʻi, Kauaʻi, and Maui Counties

Public Assistance

  • Primary Impact: Damage to road systems
  • Total Public Assistance cost estimate: $2,956,815
  • Statewide per capita impact: $2.44
  • Statewide per capita impact indicator: $1.24
  • Countywide per capita impact: Hawaii County ($5.90), Kauai County ($3.66), Maui County ($14.57)
  • Countywide per capita impact indicator: $3.11

FEMA-1664-DR
Incident period: October 15, 2006 to January 15, 2007
Hawaiʻi Earthquake

Public Assistance

  • Total Public Assistance Grants: $15,132,027.80
  • Emergency Work (Categories A-B): $2,243,414.06
  • Permanent Work (Categories C-G): $11,637,195.69
  • Total Individual Assistance (IA): 2,635
  • Total Individual & Households Program: $9,498,514.38
  • Total Housing Assistance: $9,442,754.21
  • Total Other Needs Assistance: $55,760.17

Major Disaster Declaration declared on October 17, 2006 in Maui County and the City and County of Honolulu for Public Assistance [Categories C–G] (already designated for debris removal and emergency protective measures [Categories A and B], including direct Federal assistance, under the Public Assistance program.)

Individual Assistance

  • Total Individual Assistance (IA): 2,635
  • Total Individual & Households Program: $9,498,514.38
  • Total Housing Assistance: $9,442,754.21
  • Total Other Needs Assistance: $55,760.17

FEMA-DR-1640 (Declared May 2, 2006)
Incident period: February 20, 2006 to April 2, 2006
Hawaii Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides
Governor Linda Lingle requested federal assistance following a series of storms that blanketed the islands triggering multiple floods, landslides, and major agricultural damage. Federal funding has allowed for

  • $6 million to sugar companies on Kauaʻi and Maui
  • $20 million for highway repairs and roads on Kauaʻi,
  • $4 million to $7 million for drainage and debris-clearing work.

Crop losses for the two sugar companies alone totaled more than $14 million over a three-year period.

  • $447,898 in grants has been given to those affected by the severe storms.
  • 463 individuals have registered for disaster assistance.
  • 303 home inspections have been completed by FEMA inspectors. If an applicant submits a disaster loan application to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), in most cases the SBA will inspect the damaged property to determine the cost for repair to repair or replace the damaged property.
  • The U.S. Small Business Administration has approved low-interest disaster loans totaling more than $979,400 for Hawaiʻi homeowners, renters and businesses of all sizes.
  • Total Public Assistance Grants             $8,273,046.81
  • Emergency Work (Categories A-B)      $3,669,293.29
  • Permanent Work (Categories C-G)      $4,061,872.18

https://archives.starbulletin.com/2006/05/03/news/story03.html

FEMA DR-1575 (Incident period: October 30, 2004)
Major Disaster Declaration declared on February 1, 2005
Hawaii Severe Storms and Flash Flooding
October 30, 2004 the Manoa Stream began toflood around 7 p.m.The stream crested at 4 feet and began to enter the inundating the surrounding area. Other areas around Oʻahu, including: Kalakaua Avenue between Makaloa and Phillips streets, and Kamehameha Highway near the H-3 freeway and between Puʻuhale and Middle streets.

The National Weather Service stated that the Mānoa Stream’s floodwaters flooded the Mānoa Marketplace and was swamping the University of Hawaii-Manoa campus, causing an estimated $76 million in damages to the university.

Total Public Assistance Grants           $18,942,292.55
Emergency Work (Categories A-B)    $9,151,696.70
Permanent Work (Categories C-G)     $8,882,057.41

https://archives.starbulletin.com/2004/10/31/news/index1.html


Incident period: October 28, 2000 to November 2, 2000
Major Disaster Declaration declared on November 9, 2000

Total Public Assistance Grants           $4,128,414.91
Emergency Work (Categories A-B)    $564,631.82
Permanent Work (Categories C-G)     $3,220,924.98

FEMA-1348-DR (Declared November 9, 2000)
Incident period: October 28, 2000 to November 2, 2000
Hawaii Severe Storms and Flooding

January 18, 2001

  • Over 1,800 flood victims have registered for assistance through FEMA’s toll-free Teleregistration number as of close of business, Thursday, January 4, 2001.
  • The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has approved nearly $4.4 million in low-interest disaster loans.
  • To date, FEMA has issued approximately 1,100 checks for temporary disaster housing, totaling nearly $2.2 million.
  • Over $1 million dollars in grants have been provided to individuals and families for serious, disaster-related needs not met through other sources.
  • American Red Cross (ARC) has provided overnight shelter for 214 people evacuated because of the disaster; 1289 meals have been served

https://archives.starbulletin.com/2000/11/02/news/story1.html