with a pressure of 945 millibars. Local resident, Carol Bain, reported the sound of the wind was "absolutely horrible." The eye passed over the south coast of Kauia at about 3:30 p.m. At that time, residents quickly reboarded windows where the protection had blown away using whatever they had. Interior doors were even taken off the hinges and used to block the damaging winds. (Bain, 2001) The eye lasted for about 40 minutes then departed Haena on the north coast. The hurricane was over by 5:00 p.m. Iniki moved north passed the island and dissipated into the Pacific shortly after.Hurricane Iniki devastated the island of Kauia. The estimated maximum sustained winds over land were 140 mph. In some of the islands higher points, winds were reported to be up to 227 mph. (Asycue, 1996) A category IV hurricane had struck the island. In just a few hours, Iniki left 8,000 people homeless and damaged or destroyed 15,000 homes. Thankfully, only six deaths were attributed to the hurricane. Schools, museums, and historical sites experienced structural damage, book loss, and vegetation loss. Artifacts and collections were also lost to the winds. The sugar cane waste-burning cogeneration plants, which produce 40 percent of the island’s electricity, were largely undamaged and operational. Utility substations also sustained little damage. Unfortunately, 6,000 poles, carrying phone and electric lines, had totally collapsed and only 11,000 were considered operational. This left about 80 percent of Kauia without power. (EQE, 1992) Kauia also suffered environmental damage. Iniki destroyed a significant amount of the dry forests. Strands of Acacia koa, a prized hardwood, were wiped out. Sugar cane, once standing eight feet high, and macadamia nut crops were flattened. Iniki caused an estimated 78 million dollars in agricultural damage. President Bush declared Kauia a disaster area.Relief efforts began immediately. Difficulty first o...
