Five thousand power poles were blown down and numerous residents of Kauai were without power for one to two weeks. Iniki still ranks as the worst natural disaster in Hawaii. Remarkably, only two lives were lost. Severe thunderstorms are quite unusual in Hawaii. In fact, major airport weather stations average less than 10 thunderstorms per year.
Large hail is also quite rare.
Occasionally, a waterspout moves onshore as a tornado. Fresh water in Hawaii ultimately comes from the sky, and much of it is pumped from wells faster than the underground supply is being replenished. Because the surface area of the islands is relatively small, the gentle but copious precipitation associated with the trade winds is critical. When the trade winds weaken or fail, drought can follow. El Ni o, a recurring warming of waters in the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean, causes the trade winds to weaken.