List of Hawaii hurricanes
A Hawaiian hurricane is a tropical cyclone that forms in the Pacific Ocean and affects the Hawaiian Islands. Hawaiʻi lies in the central Pacific, where about four or five tropical cyclones appear each year, although as many as eleven have occurred, such as in the 1992 and 1994 seasons; rarely do these storms actually affect Hawaiʻi. Before the 1950s, when tropical cyclone records were not kept, many windstorms struck Hawaiʻi; if these storms were in fact hurricanes, they were not so identified.[1] This is a list of storms to affect the state.
List of tropical cyclones
This list contains every tropical cyclone that had a somewhat notable effect on the State of Hawaiʻi.
Pre–1950
- 1843: The earliest report of a tropical cyclone that could have affected Hawaiʻi was recorded in 1843. On September 23, a German ship recorded a cyclone (known later as the "Cyclone of the Lark") near 17°N and 141°W. No further records are available, But extrapolation of the cyclones forward movement would have sent it directly into the southern coast of the Big Island of Hawaiʻi. Whether it even came close to Hawaii is unknown at this point.[2]
- August 1871: Excerpts from a Honolulu newsletter known as the Hawaiian Gazette describes a weather event that related closely to a tropical cyclone. Quotes from captains and civilians describe a severe windstorm that ravaged the islands for several hours. Damage is unrecorded.[3]
- November 1874: A possible tropical cyclone may have dropped over 20 inches (508 mm) of rain on Honolulu and southerly gales destroyed 23 homes, and damaging at least 50.[4]
- December 1902–January 1903: A low pressure system (known later as "The Froc Cyclone") that took a path similar to that of a tropical cyclone, passed through Kaulakahi Channel in late December 1902. No records of unusual weather were recorded, so the storm was likely still forming as it crossed Hawaiʻi.[5]
- October 1906: A tropical cyclone passed about 60 miles (97 km) south of South Point. Heavy rains were recorded; "the heaviest in years". A little over 12 inches (305 mm) fell in 4½ hours.[6]
- November 1906: 90 miles (145 km) south of Honolulu on November 3, 1906, a tropical cyclone was recognized. The storm supposedly tracked northward, passing through the Kauai channel. This cyclone must have been abnormally small or very weak, because climatological records show no unusual rainfall, wind, surge, or low pressure. The storm dissipated near British Columbia.[7]
- August 1925: High seas and gusty winds were recorded in Hawaiʻi from a nearby tropical cyclone.[8]
- August 1938: A possible tropical cyclone produced heavy wind and rain in the state.[9]
1950s
- August 1950: Hurricane Hiki passed north of the islands, bringing gale winds. 68 mph (110 km/h) winds were recorded in Kauai. Additionally, over 52 inches (1321 mm) of rain fell over 4 days in Kauai. One died from Hiki.[10]
- July 1957: Hurricane Kanoa, after taking a long journey across the eastern Pacific, became a non-tropical circulation a few miles east of Hawaiʻi. The remnants of Kanoa brought welcomed rain.[11]
- November–December 1957: Hurricane Nina was a category one hurricane that formed south of Hawaiʻi. Nina moved north and took a sharp turn to the west without actually striking the island state. Nina's closest approach to land, which was relatively far off the coast, was only about 120 miles (193 km) southwest of Kauai. Nina caused about $100,000 damage in Kauai and dropped over 20 inches (508 mm) of rain in 14 hours. In addition, Nina set a record for the highest wind gust ever recorded in Honolulu: 82 mph (132 km/h).[12]
- August 1958: On August 7, a tropical storm seemed to rapidly appear directly off the coast of Hilo. It moved across the islands, dropping considerable rainfall and causing about $500,000 of damage, dissipating thereafter.[13]
- August 1959: Hurricane Dot was a powerful hurricane in the year of 1959. Dot entered the Central Pacific as a Category 4 hurricane just south of Hawaiʻi. On August 5, Dot had seemed to turn more northwest, aiming it directly at Kauai. On the 6th, Dot began weakening and at its landfall in Kauai, Dot was a mere category one. Despite being greatly weakened, the hurricane brought gusts of over 100 mph (161 km/h). In some areas of the island, palm trees had been snapped in half, suggesting winds were locally over 125 mph (200 km/h). Damages from Dot cost no more than a few million dollars, and rainfall was relavtively light; around 4 inches (101mm). There were no deaths as a result of Hurricane Dot.[14]
1960s
1970s
1980s
- July 1982: Hurricane Daniel passed through the islands as a tropical depression, causing little, if any, damage.[24]
- November 1982: Hurricane Iwa was one of Hawaii's most damaging hurricanes. Although it was only a category 1 hurricane, it passed just miles west of Kauai, moving at a speed of nearly 50 mph (80 km/h). Severe property damage was inflicted on the island; up to $250 million (a record for that time). Iwa was the most damaging hurricane to ever hit Hawaiʻi until Hurricane Iniki took over the title 10 years later.[25]
- July – August 1983: Hurricane Gil passed over northern Hawaiʻi as a tropical storm, causing minor damage.[26]
- October 1983: Hurricane Raymond took a similar path as Gil, but as a depression, causing no damage.[27]
- July 1985: Hurricane Ignacio, although missing the islands, generated surf that measured from 10 to 15 feet (3 to 4.5 meters) causing reports of damage to coastal roads and structures. Only light rain was reported.[28]
- July 1986: Waves caused by Hurricane Estelle caused $2 million in damage when they destroyed five houses and damaged several others. Two people on Oʻahu drowned in rough surf.[29]
- August 1988: Tropical Storm Gilma moved through the island chain as a depression, dropping locally heavy rainfall of up to four inches (100 mm) in some places.[30]
- August 1988: Hurricane Uleki approached the state. Two drownings on Oahu are attributed to rough surf caused by the hurricane.[31]
- July 1989: Hurricane Dalilia dropped heavy rains over Hawaiʻi, setting a new July record for the Honolulu International Airport, 2.33 inches (592 mm) in 24 hours. Rain was heavier elsewhere, with up to 8 inches (203 mm) falling near the North Shore.[32]
1990s
- August 1991: Hurricane Fefa dissipated shortly before landfall. Two people were injured by lightning. Locally strong winds occurred, with wind gusts reaching 58 mph (93 km/h) at some localities, mainly over Hawaiʻi and Maui. Some very heavy downpours occurred, particularly on the Big Island. Localized flash flooding was reported in the Kohala and Hamakua districts.[33]
- July 1992: Hurricane Georgette brought locally squally winds over the state as a depression. Several large waterspouts were sighted off Hapuna Beach in the South Kohala district.[34]
- September 1992: Hurricane Iniki was likely the worst hurricane ever to affect Hawaiʻi. It hit the island of Kauai as a Category 4 on September 11. Iniki caused almost $2 billion in damage, mainly to Kauai, and at the time was the costliest East/Central Pacific hurricane ever recorded, until it was surpassed by Hurricane Pauline in 1997. It remains to be the second costliest East/Central Pacific hurricane on record. Additionally, 6 died as a result of the hurricane. Iniki was the strongest hurricane to ever strike Hawaiʻi, having winds of 140 mph (225 km/h). A Hawaiian hurricane has yet to surpass Iniki's extreme strength and cost.[35]
- September 1992: Hurricane Orlene struck Hawaii as a tropical depression causing heavy rainfall, washing out roads, shortly after Iniki ravaged the island.[36]
- July 1993: Hurricane Eugene dropped appreciated rain on the state as it dissipated. There were some minor power outages and the rain made traffic conditions hazardous. One fisherman was reported missing after the storm.[37]
- August 1993: Hurricane Fernanda brought heavy surf of up to 15 feet (4.6 m) on the east facing beaches from the Big Island to Kauai. Some heights between 15 and 20 feet (4.6 m to 6.1 m) was reported on Kauai. There was some damage to shoreline roads on all islands and some homes had water enter into them.[38]
- July 1994: Tropical Storm Daniel dumped 5 inches (127 mm) of rain over the windward slopes of Big Island. Moderate surf of up to 6 feet (1.8 m) affected on the east and southeast shorelines on the Big Island.[39]
- July 1994: Hurricane Emilia caused damage to trees and foliage while passing south of Hawaiʻi. There was high surf of up to 10 feet (3 m) along the Puna and Kau shorelines.[40]
- July 1994: The remnants of Tropical Storm Fabio brought heavy showers to Big Island and Oahu, with rainfall reaching up to 4 inches (101 mm).[41]
- August 1994: Tropical Depression One-C passed just south of the islands, causing severe flooding in Hilo.[42]
- August 1999: Hurricane Dora caused minor wind gusts of up to 58 mph (93 km/h) on the southern part of Big Island as it passed south of Hawaiʻi.[43]
2000s
- August 2000: Hurricane Daniel passed north of the islands, bringing a few thunderstorms but no significant flooding. High surf with waves of up to 10 feet (3 m) impacted the eastern side of the island of Hawaiʻi.[44]
- August 2003: Hurricane Jimena brought up to 10 inches (254 mm) of rain as it passed Big Island. High surf with heights of up to 15 feet (4.5 m) were reported on the windward sections of Big Island. A gust of 53 mph (85 km/h) kt was recorded at South Point.[45]
- August 2004: The remnants of Hurricane Darby passed over the islands and combined with an upper level trough to create unstable moisture in the air, dropping up to 5 inches (127 mm) of rain in a few hours in the Big Island, causing flooding and road closures. Rainfall up to 5 inches (127 mm) was also reported in Oahu.[46]
- September 2005: An upper level trough which had resulted in the remnants of Hurricane Jova brought unstable conditions to Hawaiʻi, allowing locally heavy rainfall to occur.[47]
- September 2005: The remnants of Hurricane Kenneth brought locally heavy rainfall, with up to 12 inches (305 mm) falling on the Big Island of Hawaiʻi. Intense rains over Oahu and Kauai caused flash floods on Kaukonahua Stream and the overflow of Lake Wilson at Wahiawa Dam. Flash floods occurred on Hanalei River forcing the closure of Kuhio Highway.[48]
- August 2007: Hurricane Flossie passed within 100 miles of the Big Island of Hawaii bringing rain and tropical storm-force winds to the island.
- August 2008: The remnants of Hurricane Hernan brought moisture to the island of Hawaii causing cloud and shower activity.
- August 2009: The remnants of Hurricane Felicia brings light rainfall to the northern islands.
- October 2009: Hurricane Neki caused minor damage to the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, striking the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument as a tropical storm.
- December 2010: Tropical Storm Omeka brushes Lisianski Island as a weak tropical storm, although no damage was reported.
Listed by month
38 tropical cyclones have affected Hawaiʻi since 1949.
Number of recorded storms affecting Hawaiʻi
| Month |
Number of storms |
| January |
|
| February |
|
| March |
|
| April |
|
| May |
|
| June |
|
| July |
|
| August |
|
| September |
|
| October |
|
| November |
|
| December |
|
Deadliest storms
12 people have died in Hawaiʻi as a result of tropical cyclones since 1949.
| Name |
Year |
Number of deaths |
| Iniki |
1992 |
6 |
| Estelle |
1986 |
2 |
| Uleki |
1988 |
2 |
| Hiki |
1950 |
1 |
| Iwa |
1982 |
1 |
Hawaii's apparent immunity to most hurricanes
The islands of Hawaii, with Kauai being the notable exception, appear to be remarkably immune from direct hurricane hits. The USGS states that "more commonly, near-misses that generate large swell and moderately high winds causing varying degrees of damage are the hallmark of hurricanes passing close to the islands."[49] This has also drawn some media attention.[50][51]
One notion is that Hawaii’s volcanic peaks slow down or divert a hurricane.[52] A partial source of this idea may be the long list of hurricanes in the above paragraphs that have dissipated into tropical storms or depressions upon approaching the islands. Recent satellite images of hurricane Flossie's breakup when approaching Hawaii Island fuels this idea.[53] Another example may be hurricane Felicia which dropped from a Category 4 hurricane down to a tropical depression with residual winds predicted at only 35 mph.[54]
Hawaii resident Philip Maise offered the theory that Hawaii's tall volcanoes remove a hurricane's heat by precipitating moisture into snow and by deflecting moisture up into the Jet stream.[55] It is his view that FEMA mis-classified the entire state of Hawaii as being hurricane-prone despite evidence that only Kauai seems to be regularly affected.[56][57] Storms approaching Hawaii Island, even in the Summer, have been shown to leave snow on Hawaii's volcanoes.[58]
Wind data in particular supports the USGS assertion that damages owing to hurricane winds have been low on all islands except for Kauai. Data collected by the Western Regional Climate Center show no hurricane-strength winds on any Hawaii Islands with the exception of Kauai.[59] However, despite this weather data, FEMA classified all of Hawaii as being in a "Wind-Borne Debris Region".[60]
Normally, a standard homeowner's policy with extended coverage will insure in the event of hurricane damage. However, FEMA's designation that the state of Hawaii is hurricane-prone forces residents who wish to obtain coverage to obtain a separate hurricane policy or endorsement. Residents with mortgages frequently have no choice but to btain such a separate policy if their lender insists.[61]
See also
References
External links