The Daily bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Hawaii]) 1882-1895, 1888-08-14
TIDAL WAVES AT KOLOA. KAUAI.


EDITOR BULLETIN:-One of those
strange phenomena that at some un-
expected times happen, and which
science still to this very day puzzles
over, occurred at this place on Mon
day last, August 9th.
The weather during Sunday and
Sunday night had been most pleas
ant, the sky clear, and the wind
from the northeast. Only one
shower came down during Sunday
night. On Monday morning the
weather still continued splendid. A
light ) or 6-knot breeze from the
northeast was sailing over the
smooth, blue waters, and continued
so until about 8 q. M, when all of a
sudden the wind modified to a 2
knot breeze. About ten minutes
thereafter the first of q series OF
tidal waves made its appearance,
seeming to come from south south
cast. This one and few following
ones were, however, only light, SIM
ply coming and rising to the top of
the stonework of the slip, wherein
the boats discharge and load their
cargoes at the wharf.
At about 8 :30a IN. the first one of
the larger waves made its appear
ance. 1t must have had height of
from s to 10 feet. 1t washing over
the wharf, and flowed inshore for q
distance of 80 yards, loosening and
carrying with it pieces of rock from
20 to % pounds weight. Waves of
this or less height came on flowing
inshore from time to time until
about noon. AT this time the wind
seemed to die out altogether, re-
naming that way for about twenty
minutes. The surface of the ocean
looked as calm and smooth as an
immense tank containing oil. All
of sudden the entire sea seemed
to raise itself up to height of
about S feet, and poured itself over
the wharves and shores, running in
| land distance OF about 100 yards,
carrying with it rocks of weight
from 80 to 20 pounds each. With
such tremendous power came and
went this wave, as to leave tho
marks of sad havoc among the
stopework of the slip. The mos
curious circumstance of this wave
was the fact, that it did not come il
rolling and breaking, but that thu
entire surface of the vast area o
water remained as smooth as oil
giving the appearance as if the en-
tire ocean wanted to raise itself on
of its bed, to empty its waters ont
the shores. BY l p. m. the winC
rose again, but only to. die on
shortly thereafter. The surface o
the water remained smooth. Al
occasional shower of rain cam
pouring down, alternating with th
bright shining of the SUMS rays
The tidal waves, which still came a
times, had not the force and velo
city of their predecessors.
AT about 2 p. m. a tremendou
squall from the northeast, accom-
panied by heavy shower of rair
made It's appearance. AT this tim
one of the grandest sights was to b
seen. The wind blowing and how
ing from the northeast, the splattt
of the rain heightening the scene
and some immense tidal waves arriN
ing from south, southeast. Kolc
landing is situated in kind of
bay, encircled on its eastern an
western sides by points, mostl
composed of rocks. These poinr
stretch out to the south, and attai
in the vicinity of the landing,
height ranging from 3 to 10 fee
The waves came rolling on, risin
higher and higher, until their heigl
exceeded that of the points. A
the sguall began to give up its fury
and the clouds ceased to Shove
/ down their contents, the sun agai
shone brightly. 1t was magnif
i cent sight to see these waves comm
+. some Of them at least 15 to 20 fee
: high, rising above the height of tn
g points, almost completely enshroud
e ing them with the waters, while the
y continued frolicing and rolling il
+ shore, throwing about the glistenin
i spray. And the sun, as if desiror
O to furnish its share to the grandet
Y of the scene, shone its brighte
rays on the blue spray, making
# appear like a shower of crystals al
h diamonds. So magnificent look,
= this spectacle, that the gayest see
: in a most extrayagantly furnish'
d ball room, with its brilliancy
n beauty and diamonds, could n
G compare with this grand scene
nature.
!, / have perhaps dwelt longer