The Daily bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Hawaii]) 1882-1895, 1888-08-21
TIDAL WAVES AT KOLOA, KAUAI.

expected times hal n, and which
science still to this sry day puzzles
over, occurred at tuls 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 3 or 6-knot breeze from the
northeast was sailing over the
smooth, blue waters, and continued
so until about a. m, when all of q
sudden the wind modified to q 3
knot breeze. About ten minutes
thereafter the first of series of
tidal waves made its appearance,
seeming to come from south south
east. 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 Q 80 a. IN. the first one of
the larger waves made its appear
ance. 1t must have had height of
from to 10 feet 1t washing over
the wharf, and flowed inshorc for
distance of 30 yards, loosening and
carrying with it pieces of rock from
20 to 25 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 a 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 Il weight
from 80 To 20 pounds each. With
such tremendous power came and
went this wave, as TO leave the
marks of sad havoc among the
stonework of the slip. The most
curious circumstance of this wave
was the fact, that it did not come in
rolling and breaking, but that the
entire surface of the vast area of
water remained as smooth as oil,
giving the appearance as if the en-
tire ocean wanted to raise itself out
of its bed, to empty its waters onto
the shores. By p. N. the wind
rose again, but only to die out
shortly thereafter. The surface of
the water remained smooth. An
occasional shower of rain came
pouring down, alternating with the
bright shining of the suns rays.
The tidal waves, which still came at
times, had not the force and velo-
city of their predecessors.
AT about p. m. a tremendous
squall from the northeast, accom-
panied by a heavy shower Of rain,
made It's appearance. At this time
one of the grandest sights was to be
seen. The wind blowing and howl
ing from the northeast, the spIatter
of the rain heightening the scene,
and some immense tidal waves arriv-
ing from south, southeast. Koloa
landing is situated in a kind of a
bay, encircled on its eastern and
western sides by points, mostly
composed of rocks. These points
stretch out to the south, and attain
in the vicinity of the landing, a
height ranging from to ID feet.
The waves came rolling on, rising
higher and higher until their height
exceeded that of the points. As
the squall began to give up its fury
and the clouds ceased to shower
down their contents, the sun agail
shone brightly. 1t was magnifi
cent sight to see these waves coming
some of them at least ID to 20 fee
high, rising above the height of th'
points, almost completely enshroud
ing them with the waters, while the,
continued frolicing and rolling in
shore, throwing about the glistenin;
spray. And the sun, as if desirou
to furnish its share TO the grandeu
of the scene, shone its brightes
rays on the blue spray, making
appear like shower of crystals an
diamonds. So magnificent locke
this spectacle, that the gayest seen
in most extravagantly furnishe
ball room, with its brilliancy c
beauty and diamonds, could nC
compare with this grand scene {
nature.
- Il have perhaps dwelt longer o
this subject, than space permits, st
/ should like to ask, would it nc
benefit the Government, as well q
shipping and commerce, not to spea
of the benefits that science woul
derive from it, if the Legislator
were to appropriate some money fc
the purchase of instruments, to b
used for observing the state of til
weather, wind and rain, temperi
ture of the water of the ocean, etc
etc. Even if the Government doc
not erect any signal stations, whel
such observations could be hel,
they could at least purchase son
instruments. / believe that most
~ ,,,E. ,tats Il