High Surf — Kauai Mountains, Hawaii

1996-11-08 to 1996-11-11 · Kauai Mountains, Hawaii

Wider weather episode

A storm low to the northeast of the state produced swell that impacted the north and northeast facing shores of all islands. Surf heights were up to 12 feet on the 8th, 15 feet on the 9th, and occasionally as high as 20 feet on the 10th and 11th. On Kauai, a rental home was swept off the foundation on the 11th. On Oahu, surging waves spread rocks and debris along Kamehameha Highway from Kaaawa to Sunset Beach. Bulldozers were used to clear debris from the highway in Punaluu, and the wave erosion caused the road to sink in some sections. Harbor surges compounded the high water problems for Kahului and Hilo Harbors. 28 residents were evacuated from homes and encampments at Kings Landing, Keaukaha, and Radio Bay on the Big Island. The beachfront at Kings Landing was destroyed. High surf washed a Keaukaha home off its foundation and moved the structure 60 feet, blocking the access road to a nearby condominium complex. Along Hilo Bay, there was damage inside the breakwater. Rock sea walls fronting homes along Kumau Street broke down, the shoreline was heavily eroded, and debris was thrown into the yards of bay front homes.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 5583325. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.