Past Interruptions to Living on O'ahu and Hawai'i

Emergency Conditions

These summaries highlight recent situations that potentially affected daily living on O'ahu and surrounding islands that could potentially escalate into emergency communications situations.

There are quite a number of incidents on Oahu each year that could potentially lead to situations requiring emergency communications.

Hurricane

August 7-11, 2009; Hurricane Felicia Category 4 hurricane. Approached Hawaii from the east. Dissipated to a Category 2 hurricane and dissipated east of Kahului on Tuesday, August 11. Heavy rains and surf Aug 11-13 throughout the state. SCD, DEM and Skywarn ran daily informational nets without requiring full operation, and the daily nets were discontinued on Aug 11.
August 14, 2007; Hurricane Flossie Category 3 hurricane. Approached Hawaii from the east. Dissipated to a tropical storm south of the Big Island on the evening of Tuesday, August 14. Passed south of the Big Island. Heavy Surf.
July 19, 2007; Hurricane Cosme Category 1 hurricane. Approached Hawaii from the east. Dissipated to a tropical storm south of the Big Island on the evening of Monday, July 16. Passed 185 miles south of the Big Island. Gusts of 30 to 35 knots and heavy rain.
September 2, 2003; Hurricane Jimena Category 2 hurricane. Approached Hawaii from the east. Passed 50 miles S of South Point at 6:30 am. Rain and flooding.
July-Aug 2000 Hurricane Daniel, Tropical Storm. Approached Maui from the east; Veered north.
Aug-Sept 1994 Hurricane John , Category 5
July 21, 1994 Hurricane Emilia , Category 4
Sept 11, 1992 Hurricane Iniki , Category 4. Approached Kauai from the south; Proceeded north.
Nov 23, 1982 Hurricane Iwa , Category 1 Approached Kauai from the south.
Aug 7, 1959 Hurricane Dot , Category 1 (Category 4 at it's peak)

Tsunami/Earthquake

Date	HST	Location	Coord	Mag	Comments
February 2, 2012	3:34:40 am	Vanuatu Islands	17.766S, 167.134E, 23.1km	7.1 Magnitude	No tsunami. usb0007uiv
January 22, 2012	4:45:33 pm	On the South Flank of Kilauea Volcano Hawaii	19.325N, 155.134W, 8.39 km	3.1 Magnitude	No tsunami. hv60302551
January 22, 2012	4:36:32 pm	10 Miles WSW OF Kalapana, Hawaii	19.321N, 155.121W, 8.5 km	4.7 Magnitude	No tsunami. hv60302526
January 8, 2012	6:07:16 pm	Santa Cruz Islands	10.557S, 165.160E, 38.9 km	6.6 Magnitude	No tsunami. usc0007hrv
December 31, 2011	7:27:54 pm	Izu Islands, Japan region	31.416N, 138.6155E, 348.5km	6.8 Magnitude	No tsunami. usc0007fbh
December 13, 2011	7:04:47 pm	Eastern New Guinea Reg., P.N.G.	7.518S, 146.767W, 121.2km	7.1 Magnitude	No tsunami. usc00076e5
December 10, 2011	3:47:26 pm	Guerrero Mexico	18.038N, 99.796W, 64.9 km	6.5 Magnitude	No tsunami. usc000753u
November 22, 2011	8:48:17 am	Central Bolivia	15.359S, 65.125W, 556.7 km	6.6 Magnitude	No tsunami. usc0006w6e
November 20, 2011	10:17:21 pm	In the Saddle region of the Big Island	19.53N, 155.64W, 10 km	3.9 Magnitude	No tsunami. us2001tmbd
November 13, 2011	6:05 pm	Southern Molucca Sea	1.1S, 126.9E, 19.4 km	6.6 Moment	No tsunami. usc0006rlp
November 7, 2011	4:59:06 pm	Northeast of Taiwan	27.291N, 125.868E, 209.5 km	6.9 Magnitude	No tsunami. usb0006lpm
October 31, 2011	2:32:00 am	Revilla Gigedo Islands Region	19.891N, 109.216W, 5 km	6.3 Magnitude	No tsunami. usb0006hfg
October 28, 2011	8:54:33 am	Near Coast of Central Peru	14.515S, 76.009W, 23.9 km	6.9 Magnitude	No tsunami. usb0006fv2
October 21, 2011	7:57:16 am	Kermadec Islands	29.998S, 176.183W, 32.9 km	7.3 Magnitude	No tsunami. usb0006b6p
October 19, 2011	2:10:04 pm	Waikoloa, Big Island	19.883N, 155.532W, 18.8 km	4.5 Magnitude	No tsunami. hv60276536 Star-Advertiser article
October 13, 2011	4:35:15 pm	Eastern New Guinea Region	6.626S, 147.927E, 45.4km	6.7 Magnitude	No tsunami. usc00069ba
September 22, 2011	1:10:46 pm	Samoa Islands Region	16.99S, 172.77W, 35 km	4.9 Magnitude	No tsunami. us2011rcbm
September 16, 2011	9:26:41 am	Off East Coast of Honshu, Japan	40.303N, 142.801E, 38.4 km	6.7 Magnitude	No tsunami. usc0005vv7
September 9, 2011	9:41:34 pm	Vancouver Island, Canada	49.493N, 126.967W, 23 km	6.4 Magnitude	No tsunami. usc0005rsj
September 3, 2011	12:46:36 pm	Vanuatu	20.585S, 169.696E, 132.4 km	7.0 Magnitude	No tsunami. usc0005ntq
September 2, 2011	1:05:54 am	Fox Islands, Aleution Islands, Alaska	52.185N, 171.684W, 35.5 km	7.1 Magnitude	No tsunami. usc0005n83
August 24, 2011	7:46:11 am	Northern Peru	7.644S, 74.506W, 145.1 km	6.8 Magnitude	No tsunami. usc0005j3l
August 20, 2011	8:19:24 am	Vanuatu	18.287S, 168.132E, 28.5 km	7.0 Magnitude	No tsunami. usc0005hbt
August 20, 2011	6:55:02 am	Vanuatu	18.260S, 168.069E, 40.6 km	7.1 Magnitude	No tsunami. usc0005h9f
August 19, 2011	7:36:32 am	Near The East Coast of Honshu, Japan	37.673S, 141.716E, 43.6 km	6.3 Magnitude	No tsunami. usc0005gmg
August 1, 2011	1:38:57 pm	Near North Coast of New Guinea, P.N.G.	3.569S, 144.844E, 16.8 km	6.8 Magnitude	No tsunami. usc0005706
July 29, 2011	9:42:23 pm	South of Fiji Island	233.651S, 179.822E, 521.7 km	6.7 Magnitude	No tsunami. usc00055wy
July 23, 2011	6:47 pm	Near East Coast of Honshu Japan	38.9N, 142.2E, 40 km	6.5 Magnitude	No tsunami.
July 11, 2011	10:47 am	Negros, Philippines	9.5N, 122E, 10 km	6.6 Magnitude	No tsunami.
July 10, 2011	2:57 pm	Near East Coast of Honshu Japan	38.040N, 143.287E, 23 km	7.0 Magnitude	No tsunami. usc0004sg6
July 6, 2011	9:09:16 am	Kermadec Islands	29.312S, 176.204W, 20 km	7.6 Magnitude	No tsunami. usc0004pbm
June 24, 2011	5:09:40 pm	Fox Islands, Aleutian Islands, Alaska	52.008N, 171.859W, 62.6 km	7.2 Magnitude	No tsunami. usc0004f5m
June 22, 2011	11:50 am	Near East Coast of Honshu Japan	39.9N, 142.5E	6.7 Magnitude	No tsunami.
June 20, 2011	6:36 am	North Chile	22S, 68.3W	6.6 Magnitude	No tsunami.
June 15, 2011	2:04 pm	New Britain Region P.N.G.	6.0S, 151.4E	6.6 Moment	No tsunami.
June 5, 2011	2:04 am	West of Macquarie Island	56.2S, 147.5E	6.6 Magnitude	No tsunami.
May 15, 2011	8:52 am	Solomon Islands	6.1S, 154.4E	6.6 Magnitude	No tsunami.
May 9, 2011	10:55:09 pm	Loyalty Islands	20.252S, 168.273E, 14.9 km	6.8 Magnitude	No tsunami. usc0003ag4
April 22, 2011	6:16:55 pm	Solomon Islands	10.349S, 161.233E, 81.6 km	6.9 Magnitude	No tsunami. usc0002xcx
April 18, 2011	3:03 am	South of Kermadec Islands	34.3S, 179.9E, 90.7 km	6.6 Magnitude	No tsunami. usc0002ty7
April 11, 2011	10:16:13 pm	Near East Coast of Honshu, Japan	37.007N, 140.477W, 10 km	7.1 Magnitude	No tsunami. usc0002n9v
April 7, 2011	4:32:41 am	Near East Coast of Honshu, Japan	38.253N, 141.640W, 49 km	7.1 Magnitude	No tsunami. usc0002ksa
March 27, 2011	12:23:58 pm	Near East Coast of Honshu, Japan	38.40N, 142.10E, 17 km	6.2 Magnitude	No tsunami. NEIC
March 21, 2011	7:08:03 pm	Near East Coast of Honshu, Japan	36.18N, 141.61E, 18 km	5.3 Magnitude	No tsunami. NEIC
March 17, 2011	4:48:00 pm	Vanuatu	17.339S, 167.743E, 15.2 km	6.3 Magnitude	No tsunami. NEIC
March 10, 2011	10:58:25 pm	Kilauea, Hawaii	19.341N, 154.993W, 9.3 km	4.3 Magnitude	No tsunami. HON
March 10, 2011	07:46:23 pm	Near Honshu, Japan	38.332N, 142.369E, 24.4 km	8.9 Magnitude	Major damage in Japan. Tsunami in Hawaii. 5.7 ft in Kahului Harbur. 7 ft on Maui. USGS NEIC (WDCS-D) Damage on Kauai Maui and Kailua-Kona Maui2 Lahaina and Maalaea Harbors Maui4 Maui5 Kealakekua West Hawaii East Hawaii
March 10, 2011	07:08:36 am	Bali Sea	8.862S, 116.765E, 508.1 km	6.5 Magnitude	No tsunami. USGS NEIC (WDCS-D)
March 9, 2011	11:24:51 pm	Papua New Guinea	6.022S, 149.659E, 29 km	6.5 Magnitude	No tsunami. USGS NEIC (WDCS-D)
March 8, 2011	04:45:20 pm	Near Honshu, Japan	38.424N, 142.836E, 32 km	7.2 Magnitude	No tsunami in Hawaii. First of a series of Honshu quakes. USGS NEIC (WDCS-D)
March 6, 2011	02:09:38 pm	Solomon Islands	10.314S, 160.739E, 37.9 km	6.5 Magnitude	No tsunami. USGS NEIC (WDCS-D)
February 24, 2011	02:12:33 pm	In the Kaiwi Channel, between Oahu and Molokai	21.180N, 157.550W, 19 km	3.6 Magnitude	No tsunami. us201huad. Possible causes.
February 14, 2011	05:40:09 am	Offshore Maule, Chile	35.37S, 72.84W, 21 km	6.7 Magnitude	No tsunami. USGS NEIC (WDCS-D) Event ID us2011hian
February 11, 2011	10:0:31 am	Near coast of Central Chile	36.344S, 72.959W, 18 km	6.8 Magnitude	No tsunami. USGS Catalog
January 15, 2011	11:27:32 am	In the Waikoloa region of the Big Island	19.836N, 155.602W, 16 km	3.5 Magnitude	No tsunami. HVO Catalog
January 2, 2011	10:20:18 am	Araucania, Chile	38.354S, 73.275W, 25.1 km	7.1 Magnitude	No tsunami. USGS Catalog
December 25, 2010	3:16:36 am	Vanuatu	19.775S, 167.895E, 12.3 km	7.3 Magnitude	No tsunami, but sea level changes expected. USGS Catalog Star Advertiser Article
December 22, 2010	11:49:39 am	Bonin Islands, Japan Region	26.780N, 143.635E, 11.0 km	6.3 Magnitude	No tsunami expected. USGS Catalog
December 21, 2010	7:19:41 am	Bonin Islands, Japan Region	26.892N, 143.726E, 14 km	7.4 Magnitude	No tsunami expected. USGS Catalog
December 18, 2010	10:11:18 am	Southwest of Kahoolawe	20.387N, 156.759W, 10 km	3.8 Magnitude	No tsunami expected. USGS Catalog
July 18, 2010	3:27:56 pm	Just south of Oahu	21.1N, 157.8W, 10 km	6.3 Magnitude	No tsunami expected. USGS Catalog
April 29, 2010	1:11:44 pm	Bearing Sea, Alaska	60.644N, 177.901W, 15.1 km	6.3 Magnitude	No tsunami expected. USGS Catalog
April 25, 2010	5:00 pm	Southeast of Taiwan	22.4S, 124.0E	6.5 Moment	No tsunami expected.
April 10, 2010	11:41 pm	Solomon Islands	11.0S, 161.1E	7.0 Moment	No tsunami expected.
April 6, 2010	12:40:42 pm	Baja California, Mexico	32.259N, 115.287W, 10 km	7.2 Magnitude	No tsunami expected. Star Bulletin article.
March 16, 2010	1:04:00 am	Greater Los Angles Area, California	33.992N, 118.082W, 18.9 km	7.2 Magnitude	No tsunami expected.
March 15, 2010	4:22 pm	Near coast of central Chile	36.2S, 73.5W	6.7 Magnitude	No tsunami expected.
March 8, 2010	6:30 pm	Hamakua Coast region of the Big Island	19.9N, 155.4W	5.0 Magnitude	No tsunami expected. Star Bulletin article.
February 26, 2010	8:34:14 pm	Offshore Maule, Chile	35.846S, 72.719W, 35 km	8.8 Magnitude	Massive destruction in Chile. A series of 3 foot Hawaii tsunamis was generated. USGS event ID us2010tfan. USGS Report. Honolulu Star-Bulletin Saturday Honolulu Star-Bulletin Sunday Honolulu Advertiser Saturday Honolulu Advertiser Sunday
February 26, 2010	10:31:27 am	Ryukyu Islands, Japan	25.902N, 128.417E, 22 km	7.0 Magnitude	No tsunami expected. USGS Report.
February 23, 2010	10:41:33 am	Offshore of the Kalapana region of Kilauea Volcano	19.304N 154.921W 44.3 km	3.5 Magnitude	No tsunami expected. USGS Report.
January 12, 2010	11:53:10 am	25 km (15 miles) WSW of Port-Au-Prince, Haiti	8.457N, 72.533W, 13 km	7.0 Magnitude	Massive destruction and isolation in Haiti. No Hawaii tsunami was generated. USGS event ID us2010rja6. USGS Maps.
December 8, 2009	11:46 pm	Southeast of Loyalty Islands	22.2S, 170.9E	6.5 Moment	Seismic information issued at 11:59 pm. No Hawaii tsunami was generated.
November 17, 2009	5:30:46 am	Queen Charlotte Islands Region	52.080N, 131.512W, 10 km	6.6 Magnitude	Seismic information issued at 5:44 am. No tsunami was generated. Hawaii tsunami watch cancelled at 6:09 am.
November 12, 2009	5:05:57 pm	Region Offshore Tarapaca, Chile	19.385S, 70.266W, 28 km	6.5 Magnitude	No tsunami was generated.
October 22, 2009	11:13:50 pm	Loihi Seamount	18.875N, 155.217E, 14.7 km	4.1 Magnitude	Seismic information issued at 11:22 pm. No tsunami was generated.
October 7, 2009	10:29 pm	Vanuatu Islands	13.2S, 166.E, 33 km	7.0 Magnitude	Information only.
October 7, 2009	12:03 pm	Vanuatu Islands	13.0S, 166.3E, 33 km	7.8 Magnitude	Tsunami watch cancelled at 2:19 pm.
September 30, 2009	01:52:30 pm	Southern Sumatra, Indonesia	2.497S, 101.540E, 15 km	6.6 Magnitude	Hundreds dead in Indonesia from the quake. No tsunami in Hawaii.
September 29, 2009	7:48:10 am	Samoa Islands	15.509S, 172.034W, 18 km	8.0 Magnitude	186 killed by tsunami in Samoa, American Samoa and Tonga. Hawaii watch issued at 8:04 am and downgraded to an advisory at 10:23 am. Ocean level changes in Hawaii. Hawaii247.org article Wave in Keauhou Bay, Big Island Honolulu Advertiser article Star-Bulletin article Star-Bulletin article
August 9, 2009	12:55:55 am	Southeast of Honshu, Japan	33.1N, 138.5E, 297 km	6.9 Magnitude	No local tsunami.
July 14, 2009	11:22:32 pm	Off west coast of S. Island of New Zealand	45.725S, 166.618E, 34 km	7.8 Moment	No local tsunami. Local sea level changes expected at 11:07 am. Star-Bulletin Article
April 6, 2009	6:24:34 pm	Kuril Islands	46.088N, 151.498E, 34 km	6.8 Moment	No local tsunami.
March 19, 2009	8:17:40 am	Tonga Islands	23.04S, 174.65W, 34 km	7.6 Magnitude	No local tsunami. ETA 2:36 PM.
August 13, 2008	1:08:43 am	18 miles off Oahu	21.533N, 158.491W, 16 km	3.0 Magnitude	No local tsunami. Star-Bulletin Article
Nov 14, 2007	5:40:53 am	Antofagasta, Chile	22.189S, 69.843W, 60 km	7.7 Magnitude	Alert posted 5:41 am. Advisory cancelled 6:56 am. ETA 7:36 PM. Star-Bulletin Article 6.2 and 6.8 aftershock.
Aug 16, 2007	1:40:57 pm	Pisco, Peru	13.36S, 76.52W, 39 km	8.0 Magnitude	Alert posted 2:20 pm. Advisory cancelled 4:10 pm. 27 inch tsunami in Hilo Harbor. 3 inches in Honolulu Harbor. Star-Bulletin Article
Apr 1, 2007	10:39:56 am	Soloman Islands	8.453S, 156.957E, 10.0 km	8.0 Magnitude	Alert posted 10:57 am. Watch cancelled 12:41 pm.
Jan 14, 2007	6:23:21 pm	Kuril Islands	46.272N, 154.455E, 10.0 km	8.2 Magnitude	Watch posted 6:37 pm. Watch cancelled 9:33 pm. 11 inch tsunami recorded in Haleiwa Harbor at 12:55 am. 5.51 inch wave recorded in Kahului Harbor at 12:49 am. Kuril Island quake
Nov 23, 2006	9:20 am	Puako, HI	19.899N, 155.956W, 12.6 km	5.0 Magnitude	No destructive tsunami generated.
Nov 15, 2006	1:14 am	Kuril Islands	46.7N, 153.5E, 28.5 km	8.3 Magnitude	Four PTWC bulletins issued. Tsunami watch cancelled at 4:48 am. Sixteen inch non-destructive tsunami recorded in Japan. Wave arrival time was estimated at 7:17 am. Advisory issued for potential sea level changes near shores and harbors issued approx 6:58 am. Unusual wave action approximately one foot high observed in Haleiwa Harbor around 7:55 am. Haunama Bay closed.
Nov 7, 2006	7:39 am	New Britian Region Papua, New Guinea	6.6S, 151.2EW, 38.9 km	6.7 Magnitude	Tsunami watch cancelled 11:09 am.
Oct 15, 2006	7:07:49 am	Kiholo, 6 miles SW from Puako, HI	19.878N, 155.935W, 38.9 km	6.7 Magnitude	One PTWC bulletin issued at 7:12 AM. 15 Seconds Strong earthquake damages Kona region. Power stopped at most of the Big Island, most of Maui, most of Oahu. Three inch non-destructive tsunami recorded at Kawaihae Harbor. Disaster plans show a shortage of sirens
August 28, 2006	08:09:56 pm	Between Oahu and Molokai	6.2 mi	3.7 Magnitude	Equipment cited in quake reporting error Location revised. Quake off Molokai measured 3.7 Earthquake off Kohala rattles isle residents Quake felt on Maui and Oahu.
July 27, 2006	10:03 am	Off the southern coast of Kahoolawe	19 mi	4.4 Magnitude	One PTWC bulletin issued at 7:12 AM. 'Light' quake rattles some local nerves Quake felt on Maui and Oahu.
May 3, 2006	5:27 am	Tonga Islands	20.13S, 174.16W, 55 km	7.8 Moment, 7.7 Richter	ETA 11:33 am. Three PTWC bulletins issued. #2 Advisory update at 06:34 am, with corrected ETA. #3 Watch cancelled 07:39 am. Small tsunami exposes glitches. Confusion regarding the closing of schools along the inundation zones. Eight inch tsunami received. Note that the earthquake was preceeded by a 4.5 earthquake 35 km deep 13.5 hours earlier, and 17 4.4-6.0 aftershocks within 34 hours.
July 15, 2005	5:48 am	30 miles north-northeast of Ookala, NW of Hilo	5 mi	5.2 Magnitude	5.2 earthquake rattles Big Island Quake felt on Big Island, and Maui.
Sept 25, 2003	9:50 am	Eastern Honshu, Japan	42.1N, 143.6E, 33 km	8.1 Moment, 7.9 Richter	ETA 5:01 pm. Four PTWC bulletins issued. #2 Advisory update at 10:27, with corrected ETA. #3 Watch issued 11:11 am. #4 Watch cancelled 12:14 pm. Tsunami affects Oahu bus strike Felt strongly in much of Hokkaido. A tsunami generated with an estimated wave height of 1.0 meter along the southeastern coast of Hokkaido.
June 23, 2001	10:33 am	Off Peru	16.1S, 73.3W, 33 km	8.4	Info activated in am. Cancelled in pm.
Jan 13, 2001	7:34 am	Off El Salvador	13.1N, 88.6W, 60 km	7.8	Info activated at 8:00 am, ETA 6:06 pm, Cancelled at 12:29 pm. VOAD communications demonstration in progress.
Nov 15, 2000	6:54 pm	New Ireland Islands Region	3.958S, 152.268E, 33 km	8.1	Info activated by 8:00 pm; ETA 3:30 am; Cancelled at 10:30 pm. OCDA/EARC meeting in progress.
March 24, 1998	5:13 pm	Balleny Islands Region	63.2S, 150.8E, 33km	8.1	Watch activated at 9:49 pm; ETA 7:09 am; Cancelled at 11:00 pm
Dec 5, 1997	1:26 am	Kamchatka	54.8N, 162.0E, 33km	7.6	Watch activated at 2:10 am; ETA 7:12 am; Cancelled at 3:51 am
Apr 21, 1997	2:02 am	Santa Cruz Islands	12.5S, 166.7E, 33km	7.8	Watch cancelled at 4:47 am More
Nov 12, 1996	7:00 am	Peru	15.0S, 75.7W, 33km	7.7	Watch cancelled at 7:01 am
Jun 10, 1996	5.24 am	Alaska	51.5N, 176.8W, 26.3km	7.3	Watch cancelled; 10 inches; June 11, 1996
Jun 9, 1996	6:03 pm	Alaska	51.5N, 177.6W, 33km	7.9	Watch cancelled; 3 feet; June 10, 1996
Jan 16, 1995	10:46 am	Kobe, Japan	34.6N, 135E, 21.9km	7.3	No tsunami; More More Japan time was Jan 17, 1995; 5.46 am
Oct 4, 1994	3.22 am;	Hokkaido, Japan	43.7N, 147.3E, 14km	8.2	Tsunami warning at 4:25 am; 6:30 am sirens;1 ft in Hilo Bay at 11:00 am; Cancelled at 12:10 pm More
Jan 17, 1994	2.31 am	Northridge, California	34.2N, 118.5W, 18.3km	6.7	No tsunami; More
Oct 17, 1989	2:04 pm	Loma Prieta, California	37.0N, 121.9E, 17.29km	7.1	No tsunami; More
May 7, 1986	12:47 pm	Andreanof, Alaska	51.5N, 174.8W, 33km	6.4 or 8.0	Tsunami Alert; Massive traffic jams More
Nov 29, 1975	4:48 am	Big Island	19.3N, 155.0W, 5km	7.2	48 foot destructive tsunami caused by drop in section of Hilina Pali; two lives lost
Apr 26, 1973	10:26 am	Big Island	19.9N, 155.1W, 50km	6.1	No tsunami; More
Mar 28, 1964	5:36 pm	Prince William Sound, Alaska	61.0N, 147.7W, 33km	8.4	Tsunami. 5.4 hour travel time. 3.0 meter runup at Hilo.
May 22, 1960	9:11 am	South Central Chile	39.5S, 74.5W, 33km	8.6	Destructive tsunami. Wave travel time was 14.8 hours. 61 people died. 10.7 meter runup. Numeric Models and Animation
March 9, 1957	4:22 am	Andreanof Islands, Aleutian Islands, Alaska	51.5N, 175.7W, 33km	8.3	Destructive tsunami. 16 meter runup.
November 4, 1952	6:52 am	Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia	52.8N, 159.5E, 30km	8.2	Destructive tsunami. 12 ft runup at Cocoanut Island.
Apr 1, 1946	2:29 am	Unimak Island, Aleutian Islands, Alaska		7.8	Destructive tsunami. 4.9 hour travel time. 12 meter runup at Pololu Valley, Island of Hawaii.

Other notable Pacific Rim earthquakes were also included for information for
comparison.

Researchers try to map out Hawaii's cataclysmic future

     Hawaii's tsunami danger is real, experts say
     Earthquake-Tsunami FAQ
     Tsunami Information Resource
     Future Hilo Tsunami Museum More
     Big Island Slumping

Floods

December 10, 2011 Isolated thunderstorms throughout the state causes localized flooding and wind damage. Lightning from Kaimuki through Pearl City. Main story.
June 4, 2011 Unstable weather causes state-wide flash flood watch and fierce lightning storm over Kahaluu. Rich KH6DAD reports that his sons counted over 500 lightning flashes between 7:30 pm and 8:00 pm. NWS estimates more than 13,000 lightning strikes between 3 pm and 3 am. Kamehameha Highway was closed from Kahaluu to Kaawa, with multiple reports of flooding and ponding.
Main story. Winter storm conditions drop snow on the Big Island summits, unusual for June. Lightning knocks out pioneering Hawaii telescope on Mauna Kea.
May 2, 2011 Storm front moving from the Big Island westward to Oahu. Hail in Olinda, Maui and Mauna Kea. 60,000 customers lose power. Two waterspouts offshore of downtown Honolulu. Fierce lightning storm.
Main story. 40,000 lightning strikes estimated. Lightning struck the aina about 40,000 times
March 4, 2011 Cold front brings high winds, rain, thunder and lightning. Toppled utility poles in Kapolei and Ewa Beach leads to power outages. KHNL-TV and KFVE-TV off the air for more than six hours.
Main story. HECU union workers on strike. Coping with outage. HECO strike.
February 23, 2011 Spectacular lightning. Lightning damage, Hail. Unstable air mass.
Main story. Doppler radar at 4:49 pm showing rain cell over Kailua
January 18, 2011 Heavy rains overwhelm Waimanalo Gulch dump site.
Main story.
January 16, 2011 Flash flood warning issued for Kauai, watch for Oahu
Main story.
January 13, 2011 Flooding on Kauai, Oahu, Maui and Big Island Main story.
Waste water discharge from Waimanalo Gulch.
Rain dislodges medical wastes.

Preparations on Maui.
Heavy rains on Maui.
Roads reopened.
Heavy flooding on Maui.
Heavy flooding on Maui.
Boil water advisory cancelled.
Flooding clean up continues
December 26, 2010 City urges drivers to stay off roads; Flash flood watch remains in effect.
Main story.
Heavy flooding on Maui.
Clean up mode.
Weather conditions improving.
December 19, 2010 Heavy flooding on Oahu. 5.3 inches in 24 hours. 4 ft wide sinkhole opens on Oahu ave. 4,000 gallons of waste water overflows a broken sewer pipe on 9th Ave in Palolo Valley into Palolo Stream. 45 stores in Ala Moana Shopping Center affected by a storm-caused fire at the Makaloa Substation and closed until noon on the Sunday before Christmas.
Main story.
HFD responds to 53 incidents.
Rains close City Hall, zoo, golf courses, Haunama Bay.
Ala Moana Shopping Center affected by power outage.
Ala Moana Shopping Center loses power four times during the holiday shopping season.
Honolulu Star-Advertiser delivery may be affected.
December 11 - 14, 2008 Major flooding on Kauai and Oahu due to heavy winter storm. Maui also received heavy rains.
Flooding near H1/H2 merge affected the H1 zipper lane. Flooding on H1 near north/south interchange. A large tree fell on Kaipapau Bridge in Hau'ula this morning, forcing the closure of Kamehameha Highway. Also closed were the Karsten Thot Bridge in both directions due to a mudslide. Kamehameha Highway between Waiahole and Waikane in both directions due to flooding. Kamehameha Highway near Kualoa Point. Kunia Road in both directions. Transportation officials are also urging caution in the following areas: Flooding on the H-1 Freeway in the west-bound lanes, near the Waipahu off-ramp; Heavy ponding along Kaukonahua Road and Farrington Highway in Waialua, before Goodale Avenue. Newly reopened roads include: Kamehameha Highway at Kipapa Bridge; H-2 Freeway southbound on-ramp; Kamehameha Highway at Kamananui and Wilikina Drive; Farrington Highway near Kahi Mohala; Farrington Highway near Makua Cave. Six American Red Cross shelters opened on Oahu. Numerous closures and cancellations. Brown water advisory issued.
Dec 12 Three Oahu shelters remain open. (Waianae District Park, Queen Liliuokalani Protestant Church in Haleiwa, Brigham Young University old gym in Laie) Power outages 347,680 gallons of wastewater spilled, including Wahaiwa Reservoir. 38 public schools closed. 18 occurred after 7 a.m. The last school announced the closure at 10:57 a.m.
Dec 13 Three American Red Cross shelters remain opened on Oahu. Flood damages. Disaster proclamation.
Dec 14 Funnel cloud observed on Kauai around 1:15 pm Saturday.
Dec 20 Final two disaster recovery centers open at Kualoa Ranch and Laie. Other centers set up include Waialua, Hale'iwa, Windward O'ahu, Waipahu and the Wai'anae Coast over the last four days
December 5-7, 2007 NWS NOAA radio in continuous alert mode. Much disruption state-wide. Storm front passed through Oahu from 2:30 - 3:30 am. Hurricane-like winds (60 MPH) from passing cold front from the southwest downs electric lines in Waianae, North Shore, many parts of Oahu, Kula Maui. 16 poles down in Nanakuli, another stretch in Maile. Estimated 45,000 customers on Oahu were without power. Roads littered with tree debris. Water outages. School closing. Bus service suspended 50 mins after a lightning strike. Major storm effects and heavy rain in West Maui, South Maui, and East Maui. 23,000 customers on Maui were without power due to 23 downed poles and transmission lines. Water service interrupted in Kula due to damaged transmission pipes. Major localized flood damage in Kula, Mokulele-Piilani Hwy junction. Heavy snow and blizzard alerts for Haleakala, Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea. Two buildings at Haleakala Observatories damaged by 120 mph winds. Maritime weather alerts.
November 1, 2006 Heavy rains leads to landslides blocking Pali Tunnel Mudslide at Pali tunnels causes traffic nightmare
February 19 - April 2, 2006 43 days of heavy state-wide rains and flooding. 111 homes in Windward Oahu flooded (3/6). Ka Loko dam burst on Kauai (3/14). Waterspout off of Kaneohe Marine Corps Base Hawaii (3/21 3:55 pm). Landslide on Round Top Drive (3/22). Sewage spill in Lake Wilson (3/22). Tornado in Lanai City (3/23 9:30pm). Sewage spill in Waikiki (3/24). Manoa and Makiki Stream overflowed (3/24). Hail in South Kona (3/24). Diamond Head Road above Kuilei Cliffs beach park closed (4/4).
Oct 30, 2004 Manoa
Nov 2, 2000 East Hawaii
Nov 14, 1996 Makaha Towers Landslide
Nov 5, 1996 Central O'ahu More More
Jan 1, 1988 Hahaione Valley/Hawaii Kai.

Electrical Outages

January 5, 2012 Power restored after three generator failures leaves 45,000 without power Three generating units at Kahe, Waiau and Campbell Industrial Park went offline at 8:50 am. A 180-megawatt plant in Campbell Industrial Park; a 92-megawatt unit at Kahe and a 92-megawatt facility at Waiau. Power was restored by 10:00 am. The outage affected Waipahu, portions of town, Leeward and Windward Oahu, Aina Haina and Hawaii Kai.
Main story.
November 29, 2011 Power restored after generator failure leaves 25,000 in dark Two generating units at Kahe and Waiau went offline at 8:30 pm. Power was restored by 9:45 pm. Areas from Hawaii Kai to Pearl City were affected. Power remained on in Aina Haina west through Kaimuki, Maunalani Heights, Palolo, Waialae, Manoa, Waikiki, Ala Moana, Keeaumoku west to Pensacola Ave.
Main story.
May 2, 2011 Storm front moving from the Big Island westward to Oahu. 60,000 customers lose power when lightning hits the 138 kV lines between the Koolau and Pukele substations. Two waterspouts offshore of downtown Honolulu. Fierce lightning storm at night.
Main story.
March 4, 2011 Cold front brings high winds, rain, thunder and lightning. Toppled utility poles in Kapolei and Ewa Beach leads to power outages. KHNL-TV and KFVE-TV off the air for more than six hours.
Main story. HECU union workers on strike. Coping with outage. HECO strike. Outage lasts three days.
December 19-26, 2010 Switchgear fire at the Makaloa substation causes recurring power outages for Ala Moana Shopping Center. Star-Advertiser articles Dec 19 Dec 20 Dec 21 Dec 22 Dec 24 Dec 26
January 14, 2010 Underground electrical explosion downtown injures two, affects 1,100 customers from 10:18 am to 3:15 pm. Star Bulletin Article
March 7, 2009 Power outage at Kapolei Commons during grand opening of Target and other stores. Kapolei Commons Power outages, 9:15 am to 3 pm
December 26, 2008 Lightning strikes on Waianae Mt range disables transmission lines. Oahu lost power at 6:45 pm. Power substantially restored in 20 hours. 293,000 customers affected. Affects President-elect Barrack Obama vacationing in Kailua. Cable TV services were interrupted. Temporary generators at the airport activated.
Transmission line spacing was too tight.
PUC decision on damages soon.
December 11 - 14, 2008 Major flooding on Kauai and Oahu due to heavy winter storm. Maui also received heavy rains. Dec 11 Some 13,900 Hawaiian Electric customers remain without power in Nanakuli, Ma'ili, 'Ewa Beach, Ko Olina, Pauoa, Waimanalo, Kailua and Kane'ohe. As of Dec 11, 4:30 p.m., approximately 1,100 customers in Ewa Beach, Waimanalo, Kailua and Kaneohe remain without power. Dec 12 Power outages Kaiser High students sent home due to power outage
November 20, 2008 Problem with transmission equipment at the Waiau power plant affects Pearl City, Central Oahu. Leads to loss of AT&T cell phone service.
December 5-7, 2007 NWS NOAA radio in continuous alert mode. Much disruption state-wide. Storm front passed through Oahu from 2:30 - 3:30 am. Hurricane-like winds (60 MPH) from passing cold front from the southwest downs electric lines in Waianae, North Shore, many parts of Oahu, Kula Maui. 16 poles down in Nanakuli, another stretch in Maile. Estimated 45,000 customers on Oahu were without power. Major storm effects and heavy rain in West Maui, South Maui, and East Maui. 23,000 customers on Maui were without power due to 23 downed poles and transmission lines.
February 1, 2007 Rolling blackouts due to generator maintenance and seaweed clogging the cooling intakes avoided.
October 15, 2006 7:08 am Kiholo Earthquake. Island wide loss of power on Oahu, Maui, large sections of the Big Island.
June 1,2006 2:22 - 6:09 pm 37,000 customers affected. Makakilo, Ewa Beach, Kunia, Waipahu, Pearl City, Mapunapuna, Iwilei, Manoa, Kahala, Waimanalo, Hawaii Kai. Loss of Kalaeloa Power Unit (104 Megawatts) lead to two generator outages at Waiau (50 megawatts each).
June 1,2006 12 poles down on Farrington Highway in Nanakuli. High winds affect 1,400 customers. Kolekole Pass opened.
Dec 19,2002 2:51 - 4:45 pm 30,000 - 40,000 customers. AES (180 megawatt), HPOWER (46 megawatt), Kahe (86 megawatt).
Nov 21,2000 8:35 am Ala Moana-Kapiolani
Nov 20,2000 5:57-7:30 pm Ala Moana, Kakaako, McCully and Makiki
Sept 22, 1997 2:03 pm Merchant Street manhole fire, insulation failure.

25 downtown office buildings affected.

Dec 20, 1996 Kapiolani manhole fire; 4:15 am
Oct 30, 1996 Kapiolani manhole explosion; 24 minute outage in Kapiolani
Oct 4, 1996 Richard Street manhole explosion and smoldering fire. More
Waikiki manhole explosion.
Island-wide outage.
1991 Island-wide outage. Tree falling across electrical transmission lines.
Nov 23, 1982 Island-wide rolling blackout. Hurricane Iwa
January 1980 Hurricane-like winds (60 MPH) from passing storm front. Interruption to electrical service. Wind damage. Massive flooding in Kakaako. Honolulu International Airport shutdown for about three hours due to excessive crosswinds.

Funnel Clouds and Tornadoes

September 7, 2011 5:15 pm HST, Funnel cloud in Kunia, Central Oahu. Star-Advertiser article
May 2, 2011 5:44-5:55 pm HST, Two waterspouts offshore from Magic Island to Sand Island near the Reef Runway Star-Advertiser Article YouTube video1 - waterspout forming. YouTube video2. YouTube video3. YouTube video4. YouTube video5. YouTube video6. YouTube video7. CBS News. Amateur radio operator reports seeing half dozen funnel clouds appear in the Ewa Beach area after the above cloud system moved west.
April 6, 2011 4:01 pm HST, Waterspout off Kapaa, Kauai. Garden Isle article YouTube video
February 11, 2011 Two funnel clouds appear over Maui. Tornado touched down near the old Puunene Airport and the Maui Raceway Park, Piilani Hwy. Maui News. Hawaii News Now1. Hawaii News Now2. YouTube
February 11, 2011 Funnel cloud over Aiea. Hawaii News Now1. Hawaii News Now2
April 22, 2010 50 MPH dirt devil at Makaha Elementary. Star Bulletin Article
March 22, 2010 Millilani. Honolulu Advertiser Article
February 11, 2009 Tornado at Kapolei. Star-Bulletin Article 1. Article 2
December 13, 2008 Kauai. Star-Bulletin Article
March 23, 2006 Tornado at Lanai City. Star-Bulletin Article 1. Article 2
December 5, 2005 Tornado at Aiea. Star-Bulletin Article.
January 25, 2004 Tornado at Kunia. Star-Bulletin Article.
January 28, 1971 Waterspout at Kailua-Kona, Big Island. YouTube video
See The Tornado Project

Fire

October 19-24, 2007 Makaha fire, 1,000 acres. Star-Bulletin Article
August 13-16, 2007 North Shore fire, 6,700 acres. Star-Bulletin Article

Biological

May 22, 2009 Honolulu Star-Bulletin. H1N1 Flu cases now number 44 in Hawaii.

Chemical

June 1, 2009 Ammonia leak at Kalaeloa. Roads closed for four hours.
May 22, 2009 1:30 pm. Chlorine leak at Campbell Industrial Park, Honolulu Advertiser. Honolulu Star-Bulletin. 28 fire fighters, two hazmat teams and two companies responded. 1.7 mile evacuation of homes and school. Streets reopened at 5:30 pm.
May 14, 2009 City Square closed due to chemical odor, Naphthalene.
November 25, 1999 2:15 pm Sulfuric acid spill at Campbell Industrial Park, Honolulu Star-Bulletin. Chlorine gas also released.

Aviation

January 9, 2010 Single engine Piper Cherokee plane crash in cloudy weather in Palolo Valley.
March 8, 2006 Hawaii Air Ambulance crash on approach to Kahului Airport.
February 24, 1989 United Airlines #811 Boeing 747-122 - Malfunctioning cargo door latch. 346 onboard landed.
Apr 28, 1988 Aloha #243 - Boeing 737-200 - Lost structural integrity in main cabin. 93 onboard landed.

Contingencies

Watch the YouTube newsclips from Hurricane Iwa and Flossie, and the state-wide Dec 4-7 storm and you can see we've had these experiences before.

Preparations

As a result of these past experiences, you should prepare now (not later) for contingencies. Remember, complaining about it before, during or after the event isn't helping you. Emergency preparedness is an individual responsibility. Here are some pointers to get you started on things you can do.

Loss of electricity

Provide backup power for life-sustaining medical equipment
Have flashlights and batteries on hand.
Backup your computer(s) well before the onset of the event.
Unplug unecessary or sensitive electrical equipment
Turn your refrigerator and freezer to their coldest settings before the onset of the event. Return settings to normal after the event.
Exercise caution when driving, due to loss of electricity for traffic signal lights. Treat each intersection as an all-way stop.
Construct a emergency home power system by combining a deep cycle RV battery, charger and DC-AC inverter to run SMALL lights and SMALL appliances late at night. Avoid running a generator for this, as it disrupts your neighbors.
Exercise care in the placement and use of generators. Plug your devices into the generator. Avoid connectting your generator to the house wiring to avoid back-feeding electricity into the electrical utility grid.

These tips come from Hawaiian Electric Company. Source: Honolulu Advertiser, January 15, 2009

Make sure you have a battery-powered radio on hand to listen for updates on the weather.
Double check your emergency equipment at home such as flashlights, radios, cell phones and other battery-powered equipment to be sure they are operational.
Turn off and unplug any unnecessary electrical equipment, especially sensitive electronics. In the event of an outage, this will prevent damage to the equipment from surges when power is restored.
If someone in your home is dependent on electric powered, life sustaining medical equipment, check backup facilities. Plan where to go should the need for evacuation occur, and remember to take your equipment, medicine and/or supplies with you when you go to the hospital or emergency facility.
If you plan to use a portable generator, make sure it is placed in a well-ventilated area (preferably outside) and be sure to carefully follow all instructions in the manufacturer's manual. As a general rule, do not plug portable generators into household outlets. Doing so could cause electricity to backflow into power lines endangering the public and Hawaiian Electric workers who may be working to restore power. Electric appliances should be plugged directly into the generator using heavy duty extension cords. Make sure the wattage of the appliances you are using does not exceed the capacity of your generator.
Keep cash on hand. If power outages do occur, you may not be able to withdraw cash from banks or ATMs.
Turn your refrigerator and freezer to their coldest settings. If power goes out, this will keep food fresher longer.

If your power goes off, use flashlights instead of candles or kerosene lamps, and be careful with cooking flames. Open flames may create a fire hazard and the fire department may not be able to respond promptly.
Don't use charcoal or other fossil fuels to cook with indoors, as they can create deadly fumes.
If you were cooking when the outage occurred, remember to turn off the stove, oven or other appliances and remove all items such as pots and pans from the burners.
During a power outage, a fully-stocked free-standing freezer will keep most of your foods frozen for up to 72 hours � if you don't open the door. The freezer section of a refrigerator-freezer will keep most of your foods frozen 10 to 24 hours. Resist the urge to peek inside to see if the food is still frozen. Each time you open the door, cold air gets out.

Do NOT approach downed utility lines or touch fallen or low-hanging wires, nor anything they may be in contact with. As a precaution, assume that all cables and lines may still be energized, regardless of whether they are power lines or telephone or cable television lines. In the event of high winds, any one of these lines may become energized if it becomes wrapped up in a power line.
Stay away from downed lines. Warn others to stay away. Call Hawaiian Electric Co.'s Trouble Line at 548-7961 or dial 911 for emergency assistance.

Check local media and/or tune in to radio stations for important reports from local officials and additional safety and status reports from Hawaiian Electric Co.
Keep telephone lines clear for police and other emergency services. Call Hawaiian Electric Co. only to report downed sparking power lines or unsafe electrical equipment. Key numbers to note:
1. Customer Service inquiries: 548-7311
2. Trouble Line: 548-7961
3. Emergency: 911

Loss of communications, broadcast media, Internet

Designate a friend or relative outside of Hawaii that will be your family's point-of-communications during a severe emergency. Have that person's phone number and email address handy.
Have a battery powered radio on hand. Check AM as well as FM.
Get a regular, non-wireless phone for the home.
Stay off the telephone or cell phone, unless your call is essential or an emergency, to allow essential phone calls to go through. You could be slowing down response and recovery to your neighborhood.
Don't call 911 asking for information. You're delaying dispatching the emergency responders!
Study, obtain an amateur radio license, and get into ham radio.

Loss of water

Have a ready store of water available for emergencies. Three gallons per person per day.
Get water purification kits and supplies.

Loss of sewage and waste water treatment

Keep an empty five gallon "bucket" around your home.

Damage to the home

Know the three evacuation shelters nearest your home. Not all of them may open during a disaster.
Take photographs or videos of your home's exterior and interior to aid in filing insurance claims.
Keep critical papers in a safety deposit box. Include precious family photos.
Trim trees and branches. Secure loose objects around the home.
Have cleaning supplies, bleach, rags, broom, shovel, rake handy.
Have a supply of trash bags ready.
Have several pairs of work gloves ready for clearing debris.
Have several pairs of rubber gloves ready for use with cleaning solutions.
Have hammers, nails, lumber, plastic tarp sheeting available.
Have a pre-packed bag with clean clothing ready.

Evacuation to an American Red Cross Shelter

Water - One gallon of water per person per day for five to seven days, for drinking and sanitation.
Food - Nonperishable food that does not require cooking to consume. Popular local foods such as Spam, corned beef and Vienna sausages are handy.
Prescription medications - Special medications and glasses
Baby - Infant formula and diapers
Eating utensils - Plates, mess kits, forks and chopsticks. Don't forget a can opener for canned foods.
Radio - Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert and extra batteries for both.
Light - Flashlight and or a portable fluorescent light and extra batteries.
First aid - Get a good kit and consider taking a certified first aid course.
Sanitation - Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation
Maps - Local area maps
Pets - Pet food and water for your pet. You must bring your pet in a cage. Only certain shelters will have separate arrangements for pets.

Flooded and blocked roads

Know how to contact your boss, co-workers and company after-hours.
Keep a Bryan's Map in your car.
Have saws, ropes and other equipment to clear fallen branches and trees.

Loss of ready access by emergency first responders

If you have a critical medical emergency, try to get to your nearest fire station.

Loss of ground transportation

Consider getting a bicycle.

Loss of ready access to medical services

Keep a well stocked first aid kit ready.
Learn first aid and CPR. Keep a book on first aid handy.

Loss of access to gasoline

Keep the gas tank in your vehicle at least half-filled.
Fill your gas tank before the event.

Loss of ATMs and financial services

Have a supply of cash (various denominations) on hand.

Loss of access to food, groceries, ice, medical supplies

Have non-perishable foods, supply of prescription medicine ready.
Have a means of cooking your foods, such as a charcoal or propane grill available.
Have paper plates and disposable eating utensils available.

Loss of regular commerce

Keep a current hardcopy white and yellow page phone directory in the home.

Loss of air transportation
Loss of ocean surface transportation
Loss of mail service
Closure of schools, child care centers
Closure of school sporting events
Closure of visitor attractions

Additional personal preparedness information
Assessment of utilities Honolulu Advertiser article on readiness of electricity, water, telephones and cell phones

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