Though we like to think Hawaii is absolute paradise, the state has endured some terrible disasters throughout its history. Through these tsunamis, volanco eruptions, and even attacks, the state has embraced the term “aloha” more than ever, spreading love and bringing communities together in the worst of circumstances. Here are some crazy Hawaii natural disasters that’ll have you running for the hills:

1) 1946 Aleutian Islands Tsunami Earthquake
United States Geological Survey/Wikipedia
On April 1, 1946, there was an earthquake in the Aleutian Islands off Alaska. Five hours later, the largest and most destructive tsunami waves recorded hit Hawaii. Because no advance warning was given, 159 people died during the disaster, mainly as a result of curious individuals who ventured into the exposed reef area, unaware of what was about to hit them. In some areas, the waves penetrated nearly half a mile inland and caused $26 million in property damage.
2) Attack on Pearl Harbor
United States Navy/Wikipedia
Perhaps one of the most tragic military attacks in American history, the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor killed approximately 2,400 Americans and wounded another 1,770. Additionally, the Japanese attack damaged all eight U.S. battleships – four were sunk – three cruisers, three destroyers, an anti-aircraft training ship, and one minelayer.
3) Kilauea Volcanic Eruption
Alan L/Flickr
The most recent major eruption of Kilauea Volcano, located on the Big Island, began in 1983 and is still causing destruction today. The basalt lava flows can flow as fast as ten to thirty miles per hour, and have destroyed more than 210 structures, covered 48 square miles of land, buried nine miles of highway under lava, and added 499 acres of land to the island. Previously, the Mauna Ulu eruption, from 1969 to 1974, created new land on the island and covered much of the existing land with lava.

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4+5) Hurricanes Iwa and Iniki
kakela/Flickr
On November 23, 1982, Category 1 Hurricane Iwa hit three Hawaiian Islands: Niihau, Kauai, and Oahu, the first major hurricane to hit Hawaii since it became a state in 1959. Ten years later, on September 11, 1992, Category 4 Hurricane Iniki hit Kauai, leaving six dead, and causing $1.8 billion in damages – the most powerful hurricane to strike Hawaii in recorded history.
6) West Loch Disaster
Army Signal Corps Collection/U.S. National Archives
Classified as top secret until 1960, this maritime accident, which occurred on May 21, 1944, began with an explosion in a staging area for landing ships, tanks, and other amphibious assault ships in Pearl Harbor’s West Loch. A fire spread throughout the ships that were preparing for Operation Forager, the invasion of the Japanese-occupied Mariana Islands. There were 163 Navy personnel killed and another 396 injured.
7) Great Chilean Earthquake
United States Navy/Wikipedia
The 1960 Valdivia earthquake, which occurred on May 22, 1960, was rated as a 9.5 on the magnitude scale, the most powerful earthquake ever recorded. The tsunami that resulted affected Southern Chile, Japan, the Philippines, eastern New Zealand, Southern Australia, the Aleutian Islands – and Hawaii. Worldwide fatalities are estimated between 2,200 and 5,700 hundred, with 61 casualties in Hilo, Hawaii, and approximately $500,000 in U.S. property damage.

Though Hawaii has its own unique share of natural and man-made disasters, we are lucky to live in a state that comes together in times of need. Please feel free to share your experiences with any of these Hawaii disasters in the comments – and let us know if we forgot anything!

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Hawaii Natural Disasters

Tori Jane | June 20, 2022

What kinds of natural disasters in Hawaii are there?  

Hawaii is an incredible chunk of paradise right here in our own backyards, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s free of the potential for chaos. There are a few types of natural disasters in Hawaii to keep in mind for future references, such as the ever-present threat of wildfires thanks to increasing drought and volcanic activity. The next most common disaster in Hawaii is flooding, such as the April 2018 super flood. Usually, Hawaii sees about 70 inches of rain annually, but during this catastrophic flood in Hawaii more than 30 inches fell within 48 hours, creating truly disastrous floods that destroyed no less than 530 homes and caused $125 million in damages. Another threat, thanks in part to the flooding risk, is the danger of landslides. 

What are some of the worst natural disasters in Hawaii to date?  

Hawaii is no stranger to the wrath of mother nature, but it does tend to bear the brunt of her rage some years. In 1992, a powerful storm by the name of Hurricane Iniki struck the island of Kauaʻi, reaching Category 4 strength and doing $3.1 billion in damages, making it the second-costliest Pacific hurricane on record thus far. In April of 1868, a devastating magnitude 7.9 earthquake shook the islands, resulting in a tsunami and landslide that claimed the lives of 77 people. A flash flood in October 2004 rocked Manoa Valley on Oahu, resulting in at least 60 homes being totally destroyed and more than $1 million in damage.  

What were some of the worst volcanic eruptions to happen in Hawaii's history?  

In November of 1790, the volcano known as Kilauea essentially exploded, resulting in the deaths of more than 400 people and becoming the single deadliest volcanic eruption in the United States. Since January 1983, the volcano has been continually oozing a steady stream of lava, but the overall peacefulness of this never-ending eruption is all the mountain is capable of today. For now, it doesn’t pose a risk of exploding again – yet. It’s important to remember to carefully monitor earthquake and seismic activity if you’re interested in Hawaii’s volcanoes – you never know when you’ll notice a pending eruption!  

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