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Culture Documents
Hurricane Olivia
September 6
Fatalities None
Damage $25 million (2018 USD)
Contents
• 1Meteorological history
• 2Preparations
• 3Impact and aftermath
• 4See also
• 5Notes
• 6References
• 7External links
Meteorological history[edit]
Map plotting the track and the intensity of the storm, according to the Saffir–Simpson scale
Preparations[edit]
Hurricane Olivia's approach towards the Hawaiian Islands warranted the issuance
of tropical cyclone watches and warnings. A tropical storm watch was issued for the
islands of Hawaii, Maui, Molokai, Lanai, Kahoolawe, and Oahu on September 10 at
03:00 UTC. By 15:00 UTC, every watch had been upgraded to a tropical storm warning
except for the island of Oahu, which was upgraded at 03:00 UTC on the next day.
Additional tropical storm watches had been issued for the islands of Kauai and Niihau at
the same time on September 11. These watches were upgraded to tropical storm
warnings by 21:00 UTC.[3] The United States Coast Guard initiated Condition Whiskey[nb
2]
at 08:00 HST on September 8 for ports in Hawaii, Maui, and Honolulu counties,
expecting gale-force winds to occur within 72 hours.[25] Honolulu and Kauai county ports
were later upgraded to Condition X-ray, with the expectation of gale-force winds
occurring within 48 hours. By 08:00 HST on September 9, ports in Hawaii and Maui
counties were upgraded to Condition Yankee, with the expectation of gale-force winds
within 24 hours. At both of these conditions, restrictions were set on ports. Pleasure
craft were asked to travel into safer waters, and any barge or other ocean-traveling ship
above 200 short tons (180 t) were asked to remain in port if they had permission to do
so or depart from the port if they did not.[26] Ports in Hawaii, Maui, and Honolulu counties
were upgraded to Condition Zulu at 08:00 HST on September 11, when gale-force
winds were expected to occur in less than 12 hours. All ports in those counties were
closed to naval traffic until the danger from Olivia had ended. [27]
Maui County closed all government offices, schools, and the court system in anticipation
of Olivia's impact. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) readied
personnel and supplies on Maui, and the Hawaii National Guard stationed troops and
transportation trucks on the eastern side of the island. Hawaiian Airlines canceled flights
for its Ohana commuter airline service.[28] Fees for changing flights were waived by
multiple airline companies during the storm.[29] Hawaii Governor David Ige requested
federal help for search and rescue, medical evacuations, medical care and shelter
commodities, and generators.[30] The governor declared Hawaii, Maui, Kalawao, Kauai,
and Honolulu counties disaster areas prior to Olivia's landfall in order to activate
emergency disaster funds and management.[31]
Olivia brought heavy rainfall, winds, and high surf to the main Hawaiian Islands, less
than a month after Hurricane Lane dropped a record 58 in (1,500 mm) of rain on the
state.[32][33] From September 11–12, 8–20 ft (2.4–6.1 m) high surf was reported along the
northern and eastern facing shores of the Big Island, Maui, Molokai, and Lanai. Surf of
this magnitude occurred along the southern and eastern shores of Oahu, and
Kauai.[34] In Maui County, the Lanai Airport recorded peak wind gusts of 55 mph (89
km/h).[35] The highest rainfall occurred near West Wailuaiki on the island of Maui,
peaking at 12.93 in (328 mm). Around 10.31 in (262 mm) of rain was recorded at
the Manoa Lyon Arboretum on Oahu.[36] A flash flood warning was issued for Molokai
and Maui.[28][37]
Olivia felled trees, caused severe flooding, and caused 6,800 power outages on
Maui.[38] Rising rivers prompted the evacuation of several residences in Lahaina and
another in the Waihee Valley.[37][39] In the former, floodwaters deposited mud in one home
and fractured a concrete barrier wall along the property's riverfront boundary. [40] Around
65 reports of damage occurred on Maui, with some reaching complete and total
destruction.[41] A brown water advisory, a recommendation for people to stay out of
affected waters, was issued on September 18 for coastal waters
near Waiheʻe to Kahului and Honokōhau to Honua Kai due to the possibility of
contamination from various sources, including chemicals, sewage, pesticides, and
animal carcasses. This replaced an advisory that covered the entire island of Maui; that
advisory was issued after Olivia moved through the region.[42] Multiple parks and forest
reserves were closed to visitors due to a combination of water damage, land erosion,
and downed trees.[43] Several sections of the Hana Highway were closed after trees
fell.[38] The Honolua Ditch was clogged with debris; authorities asked customers to
conserve water for the remainder of September while the ditch was cleaned out and
repaired. Floodwaters damaged multiple portions of Lower Honoapiilani Road and
eroded cliffs along its shoulder; temporary repairs cost about $50,000 and complete
repairs were estimated to exceed $100,000 in cost. [44][45] Temporary cliff restoration work
was ongoing as of January 2021, consisting of sandbag and sheet wall repairs. Hololani
Resort Condominiums and Goodfellow Bros, the company performing the work, was
fined $75,000 in that month for violating state health and county environmental
regulations.[46]
In the Honokohau Valley, multiple buildings, cars, and trees were swept away by
floodwaters. At least a dozen homes were flooded after debris clogged streams, forcing
the strong currents to forge new paths.[43][47][48] The Honokohau stream rose 15 feet
(4.6 m), submerging the Honokohau bridge; debris floating downstream struck the
foundations of the bridge.[49] A bridge that provided access to a home was destroyed,
resulting in $5,000 in damage. The house suffered flood damage; the telephone and
water lines were destroyed. An elderly woman was rescued by her neighbors during the
storm. The floor of a house was destroyed after it was submerged under 1 ft (0.30 m) of
water. Another house had its floors plastered with mud after floodwaters entered the
structure.[50] On one property, a home was swept away, and another was moved off its
foundation by floodwaters; the latter and a third building both required demolition due to
flood damage.[41][51] Another home was swept away by floodwaters and a second house
was moved around 100 yd (91 m). Around a month after the storm, both homes
were intentionally set on fire before repairs could commence; the fires caused a total of
$80,000 in damage.[52] The valley was without potable water at least a week after the
storm. Maui County workers parked a water tanker on the Honoapiilani Highway while
work was underway on water services. Volunteers worked to clear the wreckage left by
the storm so buildings could be repaired. The American Red Cross helped with recovery
efforts.[50] Maui restaurants donated 100 meals to people affected by the storm and
those volunteering to help clear the wreckage left behind. [48] The cost to replace a
broken water inflow pipe in the valley was estimated at $100,000. [41][45] A road in Kahana
that had been damaged during the storm was repaired for $100,000. [41]
Torrential rainfall and flooding from Hurricanes Lane and Olivia reduced water flow and
damaged a control gate in the Honokohau Stream ditch system. The ditch provided
water to farmers as well as residential areas. The Ka Malu o Kahalawai and West Maui
Preservation Association filed a complaint with the state water commission in spring
2019, alleging that the Maui Land & Pineapple Company was wasting water, causing
water dearths, and not maintaining critical infrastructure. The state commission
approved a motion on November 20, 2019, that The Maui Land & Pineapple Company
must upgrade the damaged structures.[53] The Maui Land & Pineapple Company
announced on December 4, 2019, that it began repairs on the Honokohau Stream ditch
system.[54] The project cost around $300,000–$400,000, with repairs finishing on May
11, 2020.[53]
Floodwaters made eastern Molokai's only highway impassable.[37][39] At least 700 power
outages occurred on the island, resulting in the closure of a school. [43] Power was
restored by September 12; crews fixed multiple areas of downed lines and damaged
poles.[55]
The storm caused around 1,140 power outages in Honolulu.[56] A roof was blown off a
structure in ʻĀina Haina. Numerous roads, including portions of the Kamehameha
Highway and Kalanianaole Highway, were closed due to flooding.[57] Rainfall from Olivia
caused the waterlevel behind the earthen Nuʻuanu Dam #1 to rise 4–5 ft (1.2–1.5 m)
overnight, prompting firefighters and officials to pump and siphon water away; however,
the dam was not at risk of failure.[58][59][60][61] A pipe overflowed from excessive rainfall,
sending over 32,000 US gal (120,000 L) of raw sewage into the Kapalama Stream and
Honolulu Harbor; the city disinfected the waters.[58] At least 775 US gal (2,930 L) of
sewage was contained by a vacuum truck.[57] A 100 ft (30 m) landslide occurred at the
top of the Manoa Falls Trail around a week after the storm, taking down trees and
boulders.[62]
According to Aon, Olivia caused a total of US$25 million in damage throughout
Hawaii.[63] United States President Donald Trump declared Hawaii a disaster area to
improve the response of FEMA.[37] Bank of Hawaii allocated $25,000 to relief programs
for the extension or forbearance of loans, necessary items, and home and vehicle
repairs.[55] Hotel occupancy dropped an average of 2.1% in September for Maui
compared to the same time in 2017 as a result of hurricanes Lane and Olivia. [64] Overall,
tourism increased in the month of October despite the two storms. [65]
See also