Second to take into consideration is the mountainous nature of Hawaii’s islands.  Mountains enhance rainfall.  Rain waters rushing down mountain slopes can cause dangerous flash flooding and mudslides.  When a storm squeezes through the valleys of Hawaii’s mountains, it can speed up the hurricane, increasing the storm’s intensity.

Hawaii has thus far been quite lucky in avoiding major damage from hurricanes.  While we cannot predict the future of hurricanes, we can only go on what we already know has come to pass.  Hurricanes in Hawaii are relatively rare, but their possible destructive force on the islands of Hawaii is not to be underestimated.  Tropical storms can form to the south and east of the islands relatively quickly and come close and even onto the islands, sometimes breaching the barrier that separates tropical storm from hurricane.  This is something to keep in mind whether visiting, moving to, or living in Hawaii.

The primary 6 Hawaiian Hurricanes:

Hurricane Hiki (1950) This was first categorized as a tropical storm named Able, and later reclassified as a hurricane by the now famous Robert Simpson, stationed at the Weather Bureau in Honolulu and is the Simpson in the Saffir-Simpson scale of measuring hurricanes.  Hiki passed the northern shores of Hawaii, brining 68 mph winds into Kauai and 52 inches of rainfall in 4 days.  One known death was caused by this Hawaiian hurricane, although no property damages were recorded.

Hurricane Nina (1957) This hurricane never actually made landfall, making a sharp turn away from the island state and only coming about 120 miles offshore, according to estimates.  Nonetheless, Hurricane Nina did cause approximately $100k in property damage and bring 20 inches of rain in about 14 hours.  Nina was classified as a category 1 hurricane and caused the record wind of 82 mph to be recorded in Honolulu.

Hurricane Dot (1959) While this hurricane caused no deaths, it started out a category 4 hurricane and was a category 1 by the time it made landfall.  With winds range upwards of 100 mph, the storm snapped palm trees in two and caused a few million dollars in damage.

Hurricane Iwa (1982) Causing over $250 million dollars in damage, Iwa was at one point the most devastating hurricane to hit Hawaii.  Hurricane Iwa passed just a few miles to the west of Kauai, travelling at approximately 50mph.  Hurricane Iwa was only a category 1 hurricane.

Hurricane Estelle (1986) Estelle was another hurricane that never made landfall in Hawaii, although its effects were still far enough reaching to bring waves that caused $2 million in property damage and two deaths.

Hurricane Iniki (1992) On September 11th, Kauai was struck by the category 4 Hurricane Iniki.  To this day, Iniki is said to be the most destructive to ever hit Hawaii.  Winds were recorded in excess of 140 mph and damages totaled more than $2 billion.

Sometimes, these events are haphazard and met with disastrous effects and unforgettable consequences. In a video presented here

we see one unfortunate individual try his hand at wind surfing during Tropical Storm Fey. Whether due to inexperience, foolhardy over-confidence, or some uncontrollable mishap, the results of this wind surfer’s attempt at overcoming the storm are met with terrible results.

December 15th 2004, in Hawaii, we see what happens when big waves hit. The Eddie Aikau surf contest has only been held six times in the past two decades, reserving for a time when the high waves splash against the shores of Hawaii. Caused by a tropical depression rather than accompanied by the dangerous thunderstorms and winds of a tropical storm or hurricane, waves were predicted to reach up to 50 feet. Only twenty-four of the most experienced and elite surfers were invite to attend. No injuries were reported, although waves were high and hard enough to carry debris up to the highways, causing partial closures of the roadways.

Tropical storms often form in the Pacific, but by the time they reach the island of Hawaii they have died down from their peak strength in most cases.  A perfect exception to this typical rule was Hurricane Iniki which struck Hawaii in September of 1992.  The hurricane was a raging category 4, and caused over two billion dollars in damage.  Hawaii’s hurricane Iniki also caused the death of 6 people.

First, while not always accurate or giving enough warning, emergency weather systems will try to warn of impending danger.  A hurricane watch is given when there is a good possibility of hurricane causing damaging winds, surf, and rain anytime within 36 hours.  A hurricane warning is given whenever there is a high chance of hurricane force winds anytime within 24 hours.  Not all parts of Hawaii may receive emergency weather warnings in time, so it is imperative to remain conscious and alert of weather conditions in your immediate vicinity.

Second, like with any other natural disaster, it is important that you develop an emergency plan for your business and/or family.  This plan should include evacuation routes, supplies/emergency kit, and securing of property and valuables.  Your emergency kit should include such things as a first aid kit, fresh water, flashlight, blanket, etc.  Be prepared to deal with the loss of utilities such as electricity, gas, and telephone.

Those along low lying coastal regions and areas subject to flooding should consider evacuation.  Also, those in wooden or other lightly constructed buildings may want to seek shelter elsewhere.  It is important during a hurricane in Hawaii or any other emergency to stay calm, stay alert and stay informed.

One of the most confusing facts to many in the difference between flood and hurricane coverage is that storm surges and flood caused by hurricanes are not covered by hurricane insurance. Hurricane insurance coverage takes care of damage caused by heavy winds and falling water. Storm surges and flood, which cause rising water, are covered by flood insurance.

You should also be sure what your insurance policy will and won’t cover. Will they pay for the cost to replace and repair your home or belongings at fair market value? If so, is it an appraised value before the storm or is it an actual value after the storm? How long will it take for you to get your payment? How will the company pay you? Will they work directly with suppliers and contractors? Will they offer you a lump sum? Will they require you cover the costs and then send them a bill for an amount to be determined and returned to you later?

On Sept. 11th, the storm passed directly over Kauai. It was a category 4 hurricane when it hit Kauai. More than 1,400 homes were destroyed, another more than 5,000 severely damaged. Because of proper warnings and preparedness, only six lives were lost to the hurricane in Hawaii.

The storm passed by Oahu, causing severe storm surge, which increased the tides by an abnormal 3 feet and caused severe waves to crash ashore. Beachside second floor apartment were flooded. Several million dollars in damage were caused and two lives lost in Oahu alone.

A hurricane occurs east of the International Dateline and over the Atlantic Basin.  Over the Indian Ocean, the same storm would be called a cyclone and hurricanes that threaten the Pacific Northwest such as Japan and the Philippines are called typhoons.

Hurricanes are a severe sort of tropical cyclone, which is a generic term.  Tropical cyclones are grouped into three categories of storms.  The tropical depression is an loosely organized storm front with clouds and thunderstorms accompanied by winds of up to 38 mph.  A tropical storm is an organized system of clouds and strong thunderstorms with circulating winds that reach speeds between 39 and 73 mph.  The hurricane is an intense storm system with strong circulating winds that measure 74 mph or greater.

There are actually 5 different categories of hurricane, on a scale known as the Saffir-Simpson, ranging from category 1 to category 5, each category adding to the defined intensity of the hurricane.  Most hurricanes that have hit Hawaii are of the category 1 variety.  Even as less intensive storms, there are dangers, and those dangers rise pending on the exact area they hit, based on topography and population.