The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1877-05-23
HILo, May 18th, 1877.


9th inst. At on the morning of the 10th were
aroused by load rapPing at tle door and trem-
bling voice crying out. "The sea is coming in upon
u.s." We leaped out Of bed and in half dress
down to the shore, where we met a scene which al
most stunned US. mighty wave had rolled in and
done its strange work. 1t had leaped the sea-wu of
feet rushed up and into the store of Conway Co.
had demolished building of Reed. Sisson and
Shipman, filled with materials for building, such as
windows, DOORS shingles ect, sweeping all out to
1t had played the mschiefin the lumber yard, carry
ing off thousands of feet Of lumber. 1t had taken a
large pile of many cords of wood, together with
large quantity of green Oha logs. 20 to 80 feet long,
the esplanade, and with them formed barri-
cade before the doors of shops it had covered Water
street, and looked in at the gates and doors of yards
and houses without rude entrance. until it came to
the terminus of Church street, when it seized the tin
round and planted it the road that leads to
Waolama without upsetting it materially disturb
ing the many wares within.
Thus far the scene not tragic but 20 feet be-
yOnd, the food pressed upon tho front of Mr. Kanas
two-story building, driving it back about
fathom and leaving it little careenej backward.
Further on it swept away old bakery, rushed
through and nearly upset pleasant cottage, and
then another and another, tearing come to pieces,
and taking up others and dumping them down in the
middle of the mud pond behind the beach. One two
story house standing little mauka of the beach
lifted and foated the food about 200 feet, and
left standing in pond of water.
Thus the rush went till all the houses along the
beach far the Waiolama either destroyed OF
greatly damaged. All this was done in one or two
minutes. Meanwhile men, and children
struggling in the flood, while their earthly all was
being carried out to sea by the relentless wave,
lost among the rushes and mud, and confused debris
in the swamp behind the beach. Two were drowned
in this struggle, of whom was carried down the
river, out to sea- and found floating of Honolii.
The scene avery sad and dreary ruin. But
the desoaton was more complete and the scene vast
ly more sorrowful at Waiakes. The wave that
struck our sea-wall and beach was about IL feet
above high tde but at Waiakea it is judged to have
been Is feet and it struck the shore with such fury,
and such dynamic power to tear. and rend and
carry all before it. The bridge was carried some
1000 feet and left high in the bushes The steamers
wharf was demolished at blow the two storehouses
were crushed like a.wicker basket, and 400 barrels
of oil, with large supply of ship stores were scat
tered widely over the land.
More than 20 houses were demolished, and some
were foated inland and left stranded among the
bushes. The chapel was taken from its foundation
and carried some 200 feet. where it left
standing without serious injury. While on its wa
terry passage the bell in the tower, toiied solemn
requiem for the dying and the dead.
Waiakea pleasant thriving viage,-one of
the prettiest suburbs of Hilo. 1t had many neat
framed cottages, and houses of two stories. Now
there is not building left Of all the front row along
the banks of the river-all gone and the stones
of piers. under pinnings, and walls scattered in
wild confusion over gardens, kao and patato patches
far iuland-even trees uprooted and thrown
pel me along with the confused debris of demolish
ed buildings, blocking up of roads, and bswilderng
the traveller.
Had been carried to Waiakea in my sleep
awaking should not have recognized the place,
and would have enquired "Where am =" All is
scene of wild desolation. The aspect is awful in
the extreme. The Waiolama and Wailos rivers are
both impassable and the place is reached by cir
cuitous course some three miles.
The canoes, fishing nets and tackle. agricultural
implements, house furniture, trunks, chests boxes,
BEDS mats quilts, clothing, and the little sums Of
money in the hands OF the people, scattered ana
to greater extent lost. The aged Mr.. Parker,-
n years DID, lost $780, and perhaps his life, by at
tempting TO save it. He sadly bruised while In
the raging waters smeng the timbers Of his fallen
house. He was washed up inland qaite distance
and only saved from being carried into tbs sea BY
the retreating wave. by grasPing the grass and
shrubs. His recovery is doubtful.
Many horses, mules, donkeys, bogs and fowls were
destroyed. Five lives lost, and eighteen per-
sons were more or less wounded, some with broken
bones, Others with bruises on the head, face, md
other parts of the body, and escaped out of
the Hood by supernatural efforts or by the help Uf
others in boats. The number of those who are now
homeless is than 100. The total damage to
property cannot probably be less than $4,000. The
people seem stultifed with sorrow. and it is mourn
ful spectacle to them half naked, hungry and
cold, hunting amidst the mud and rubbish for lost
things, or lying in kennels wounded and forlorn,
waiting for help. But many of them Know the
rod and Him who appointed it," and confer His
justice while they plead his mercy. Time end the
Grace of God will heal them. One scene in WAiakea
Wonid draw tears from any bat marble eyes. In