From: saiki@mpg.phys.hawaii.edu (L. Saiki)
Subject: Re: Rain!!  =)
Keywords: Iniki 
Organization: University of Hawaii, Dept. of Physics & Astronomy
Date: Sun, 13 Sep 1992 03:11:48 GMT

Spacey enters into a soliloquy:

>Yippeeee!!  Well, as long as the house does not fall apart from
>the predicted wind velocity!! =)

The wind velocity from Iniki at my house was around 35 - 40 mph but on
Kauai the velocity was approximated at 160 mph.  Nothing happened where
I live since it was really only gusty winds and some rain.  It did not
get 'exciting.'  I was watching tv reports all day - the power did not
go out in my area [east oahu]...the storm brought in 8 foot surges and
20-ft waves though!!  Quite a few surfers were out surfing!!  

Some of the toursists that were interviewed were hoping for more action
and were quite disappointed [those that were in Waikiki..don't think 
that the same would be said for those in Kauai.  BTW Waikiki is on
Oahu..].  Waikiki beachfront hotels were obviously hit with water...
there was a near-mandatory evacuation for those that lived on the
south and west shores of Oahu.  

At around mid-day, there was talk of total evacuation..

The entire coastline of Hawaii was supposedly flooded.  Living 3-5 minutes 
[walking distance] from the beach I was worried about the house getting 
flooded but only the *$$* beach houses were flooded in my area [and I 
presume all around the island...].  Houses inland, unless they were built 
on really low-lying areas, were quite safe.  

The hardest hit areas on Oahu were the areas that are usually hit hard 
when storms come by.  Lines were down, a few roofs blew off, etc.

Hey Space Cadet are you alright???!!

>Anyway, the class of the hurricane has been labelled as 4...with the
>most severe type being 5.  Hugo was a 5.

It was reported that Iniki was more severe [class-wise] than Andrew.  
That's hard to believe from the footage shown of FL!  All communication 
but ham radio are still cut coming out of Kauai.  Flights, for obvious 
reasons, were cancelled, so footage of Kauai was late in getting out.  
I just saw the footage on CNN half an hour ago.  It looks quite bad..
large trailers rolling around, reports of Matson shipping/storage 
containers toppling [on Oahu], ceramic/etc roof tiles flying around, 
and so on..  :(

>It is beautifully dark grey and clouded over.  The view from my bed-
>room window is lovely with the steep green mountains almost enveloped
>by dark grey and white mist.  

A relief from 85 degree weather, sun, very rare 90% humidity, and the 
rarer than rare days of breezes less than 10 mph for the past week...
but very trying for many who lost their homes, businesses, etc.!

Soapbox time...
I am glad that I didn't hear all the griping and never-satisfied sob

		[But I may be speaking too soon...]

stories though...sounds callous, but I was disgusted with the way the
press handled Andrew.  Gripe gripe gripe...oh, my baby is having a 
birthday tomorrow, and we can't afford to give him a bicycle!!
That's my hypocritical statement of the day!! =)

It won't be depressed for long since most locals are happy, helpful and
friendly people willing to help their neighbors out...

[I am a local, am I happy, helpful, and friendly?  Hmm most locals are,
I didn't say all locals. :)]

Here's to island spirit .. aloha spirit!

BTW the weather now is 85 degrees, 90% humidity, with winds variable
between 0 - 5 mph..at least there is no sun!! =) 

Shrouded..
Spacey

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     The end!					 L. Saiki	
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