The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1884-04-23


Ats O'Clock on Monday mornis. asIightf resist
came down the NuGanu stream and throughout
the day the water continued to rise slowly. There
was but little rain in the nciehboFhood Of the city,
though evidently heavy rains were falling in the
mountains.
At4 am. on Tuesday the water had risen above
the yard on the east side Of the One-mile bridge,
and before a. the whole Of the premises az the
corner of Nuuanu and PauOa were flooded. The
occupants, Portuguese family were fairly flooded
out their furniture and bedding spoilt, the hOor
Of the dwelling house being completely under va
ter. They state that they have lost all their ave
or six dozen fowls, goat etc, and their express
carriage Is wrecked. At about 90 the stream
seems 70 have broken loose higher up and per-
feet torrent rushed down the Pawoa road, and act
uAlly fioated away articles Of furniture which
h1o Jeen put for safety out on the Nuuanu road,
and laid the lawn between Capt Mist house and
the rOad, under wafer This however soon drained
away.
In the Nuuanu stream itself the water was lap
ping over the timber struts Of the bridge where
they rest on the masonry The water space under
the bridge being so narrow, the water rose within
few feet Of the roadway on the PauOa side OF the
bridge and fell like cataract underneath, being
several feet lower on the Eva side, where 1t only
Just touched the timbers. By am. the water
had fallen considerably leaving behind 1t traces
Of having reached n height beyond any recorded
hitherto The low foot bridge bulk by former
superintendent OF water works, for carrying the
street was carried away pipes and all Except the
bridge, aud the property OF the unfortunate Port
uguese, Bento Enos, bat little damage was done
in that neighborhood. The Portuguese, It IS be-
leved have lost every thing they possessed and the
man Bento hurt himself badly in attempting to
save some of his household goods. The cottage
itself at Biatfla corner Of NCuanu and Pauoa
streets was moved from il position.
COnrsing along in its mad career, the wild tor
rent of water devastated the banana plantations
that lined the bank either side uprooting trees
OF several years growth, until at last branching
out in a wider stream, It flooded the yards, drown
ing out chickens and sweeping away ducks, of the
residents in the vicinity Of Makell. Here the cul
tivated taro patches and gardens were soon a Wild
waste Of water and the force Of the freshet speed
lily carried away the foot bridge ocu OF Beretania
street bridge also DESTROYING the fences, flooding
the lower stories OF the houses in the Vicinity and
causing panic amongst the occupants who quick
lY set about moving their valuabes TO more safe
and drier ground.
The scene along the course ui the river, in the
early morning, was grand IN the extreme, the best
view being obtained from the School street bridge.
from which point Of vantage no less than three
roaring, foam tossed waterfalls were visible,
which with the afterlOW OF surging. heaying waves
buffeting the banks and boulders in frantic efforts
to escape the bounds which confined the angry
waters, formed moving panorama the'wild pic
turesqueness Of which chained the beholder IN
amaZement and awe.
Happily the loss at present reported, with the
exception Of that sustained by Mr.. Enos, Is con-
fined to small portions of banana taro and yege-
table gardens although considerable Inconvenience
and discomfort has been caused by the flooding Of
residences yards etc; no LOIS Of life adds story
to the unlocked for occurrence, which is something
to be thankful for. At lUSD AIN. the bridges ON
King, Smith and Nuuanu streets, were visited by
crowd of curious ones, and all were found 20 be IN
good condition. The rOadways opposite the Chi
nese Theatre and at Makela will have to DO repair
ed, as we'll as the bridges mentioned as having
been washed away.
\ telephone message received by the Messrs j.
NJ. Dat Jr & Co, from Waimanalo conveyed the
information thai over 800 acres Of cane were IN
der water in that locality and that mile OF rail
way had been washol away. Hopes are entertained
that no serious damage will result to the flooded
cane.
At 9.l5 AIN, the wind shifted to the n. 4, the
rain clouds dispersed, and by . pm, the Nuuanu
river resuming its sluggish motiod.