The Hawaiian gazette., 1896-06-23
Disastrous Effects of the ida
Wave.
KONA PROPERTY DESTROYED
wharves Twisted Out OF shape and
Houses Flooded - Lumber Piles
Washed Away at Kailua-Mountains
of Water Over Thirty Feet High


counts OF the tidal waves on that island.
As usual. few crack Drained individu-
ais went running about the city spread
ing all sorts of sensational stories re-
garding loss of life along the hona
coast and terrible disaster in all quar-
tiers. The following account OF the tidal
wave and the damage it caused was re-
ceived from Captain Simerson OF the
". G. Hall.
We were at Honuap0 on Monday
morning when the tidal wave was first
noticed. AS soon as l saw the danger l
whistled to the boats and we were very
soon steaming out to sea. After the
danger was over we returned.
The wave came from the southwest,
struck Kawaihae first and then went
around the Kona and Kau way to Hilo.
Kawaihae.
The first wave struck at about SIS
a m The wharf which has stood the
test OF years was completely demol-
ished.
Kailua.
Wave struck ar about $50 and de-
molished the lumber yards of Messrs.
NJ. F. Scott and George Clark. All the
lumber was washed out TO sea, but boats
were set to work and much of this was
restored. The warehouse was filled
with water and much of the freight was
badly damaged"
Following is an abstract of letter
received from J. Kaelemakule, sub
agent at Kailua. and inserted here for
convenience:
Great excitement prevailed on Mon
day last, June 10, oecasioned by tidal
wave.
Without warning the sea rose eight
feet over usual high water mark. The
wharf at the landing was twisted out OF
position. and at present has the appear
ance of an archway The sea entered
McDougall's and also my store, and
when it stopped rising the water was
two and half feet over my veranda
floor.
You can imagine how We all felt
We naturally first thought of getting tC
place of safety, thinking that another
wave, larger than the first, would
sweep everything before it.
My family and the people living JUS
back of my store are moving what per
sonal effects they can readily take, and
are up to their waists in water
THE official documents and record:
were hastily thrown up to the highes
shelves in my Office. 1t was impossible
to remove them; we were all surround
ed by water. l am glad, however, t
report that with the exception of SOM
of the stationery the books and Gov
eminent records are unframed. a grea
deal OF damage no doubt has been don
here and along the kona coast, but
have not time to report them at thi
writing"
Following is an extract from lette
written by Miss Paris of Kailua to
friend in Honolulu:
Il have not the strength or time Z
describe in detail the terrors Of tn
tidal wave yesterday (Mondayl. hop
never to experience another. II wa
about 9 o'clock in the morning when
native man l had been talking wit
came outside and told me to look at tn
sea. l did look. 1t was fast reeedin:
leaving rocks and places bare. l wen
over to Kaelemakule's and while ther
the tide flowed in and was soon quit
beyond the usual high water mark. Al
ter returned to the house the waite
receded very rapidly, washing over III
rocks like freshet. l sat in the LAM
thinking what l should do. The su!
pense was dreadful The next time ii
wave came higher. and the third tin
the water came pouring in over Ii
wall After that it subsidized slight
and began TO think il was dying on
and went into the house, when SUI
denly Mrs Senter screamed: oh. VIII
shall we do? II is going TO be terrible
I rushed out and found the yard foo
ed with water:
"On the impulse of the moment
said. Let US go up stairs. So up v
few Then 1 called TO the natives WI
were on the big wall at the side al
asked what we ought TO do. They sal
Come over quickly and go mauka.
ran to the front of the house, and
never forget that sight. Just the sea
front OF US. everything obliterated.
seemed TO come in successive swell
Between two waves we waded throui
the water where il was most shalls
and then up on the wall. 1t is well '
left the house when We did, for I
water rushed in and filed the low
part. When returned about an no
afterward everything was in territ
state The water had receded, leavi
the walls broken and debris scatter
all about the place Just before sun:
another wave came, reaching way in
the place. While this one was reeedi
W. gathered blankets, bags and q (,
other articles and rushed out to spe
the night somewhere We found
tie house just above where about tive
~ natives had gone, and there camp
out on the lanai"
Miss Paris came down on the ".
Hall to Maui, and after making sht
stay there will come on TO Honolulu
Keauhou.
Wave struck about $50 a. m. a
me water rose about thirty-ive fe
entering the cave on the side OF I
pail Nine houses were completely {
-~r.-L-l "a 1900 Forrr xrcrc Gro nc a