The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1872-02-07
The Recent Storm on IlawaiI.

Blythe arrival Of the steamer Kilauea on Saturday,
we learn that the late southery gale proved very de-
structye on the south side of Hawaii and also in the
Waipo Valley, the northeast side OF the island
Mr.. Mills, who has charge of a store belonging to
Cleghorn & Co at wsipio, writes that the gale COM
menced on Sunday, the 22d ult, from the southeast
which moderated the next morning, when the trades
set in but towards evening the wind shifted to the
southwark. At dark heavy squat came down the
valley followed BY second one still heavier which
lifted the dwelling-house of Mr.. Mills completely
from the ground and scattering it in fragments Mr.
Mills and several Others attempted to secure the
store and other buildings in the vicinity from the
fury OF the increasing gale, by means of lashings
made of the stoutest ropes that could be obtained
Towards morning the gale increased to perfect
hurricane, blowing in terrific squalls. The store
and two other wooden buildings were taken from
their foundations and scattered in all directions.
The Court House was also lifted from its founda-
ton, but was not destroyed. The gale abated to-
wards the morning of the oath, leaving the valley
scene of the utmost desolation,-eyery sign of yege
tation having disappeared as If fire had swept
through it. Many persons were without food
shelter during the height of the gale and without
even sufficient clothing to cover them. The coast
on the opposite side of the island, facng the gale
suffered great destruction. The gale commenced in
the forenoon with heavy squa from S.S.W., and
gradually hauled TO W.SW The pull station of
Capt. Haley, at Kan, with large quantity of pulu
was completely destroyed. number of other houses
in the district were blown down and carried off by
the wind. The gale increased SO rapidly that it was
impossible TO secure aDything although endeavors
were made to do so. 1t is estimated that nearly fifty
native houses were either destroyed or damaged to
such an extent as to render them useless. Several
valuable fields of cane in that locality suffered great
damage. Houses, vegetation and trees of every de-
scription, all along the Kona coast, suffered in sim
liar manner. The village of Kappa was visited by
a tidal wave which swept away several houses near
the beach, besides causing other damage. In the
midst Of much destruction, it is fortunate that no
lives were lost, although instances occurred where
persons escaped in almost miraculous manner.
A gentleman at Hamakua, writing under date of
January sd, says: We are in the midst of the
heaviest Kona storm I have ever known. 1t COM
meueed ON Sunday morning and reached its climax
last night Five native houses have been blown
down here, besides two frame buildings in process
of erection l fully expected, at one time, that the
roof of our dwelling house would be blown off but
thanks to kind Providence it is still on. The out
house was carried thirty or forty yards from the
foundation aud dashed to pieces. This morning we
presented quite a wrecked appearance,-guttcrs
boards and shingles were strewed all
around We were unable 10 cook breakfast At 10
O'Clock there a lul for few minutes, and was
enabled to set up the remains of the stovepipe, and
so we managed to get dinner Our potato-patch
is swept clean out of existence-nothing remains
but the bare earth. The trees around all smashed
up, with limbs twisted and broken. = Yester-
day we Were enveloped with thick clouds of dust |
from Waimea. A few more such Konas, and we |
shall have Waimea shifted over into Hamakua."