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 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)
     See also this page.

Tsunami/Earthquake

Date HST Location Coord Mag Comments
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

Electrical Outages

  • 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.
  • 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

Fire

Aviation

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.

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.

      • During a power outage:
    • 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 Ð 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.

      • Electrical safety advice:
    • 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.

      • Communications:
    • 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
    • People intending to go to one of the shelters are asked to bring the following items with them:
    • Water Ñ One gallon of water per person per day for five to seven days, for drinking and sanitation.
    • Food Ñ Nonperishable food that does not require cooking to consume. Popular local foods such as Spam, corned beef and Vienna sausages are handy.
    • Eating utensils Ð Plates, mess kits, forks and chopsticks. Don't forget a can opener for canned foods.
    • Radio Ñ Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert and extra batteries for both.
    • Light Ñ Flashlight and or a portable fluorescent light and extra batteries.
    • First aid Ñ Get a good kit and consider taking a certified first aid course.
    • Sanitation Ñ Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation
    • Maps Ñ Local area maps
    • Prescription medications Ñ Special medications and glasses
    • Baby Ñ Infant formula and diapers
    • Pets Ñ Pet food and extra water for your pet
  • 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
Find out more by contacting:  rhashiro(remove this part)@hawaiiantel.net
Copyright © 1997-2009 Ron Hashiro
Updated: February 12, 2009

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