 Hurricane Iniki shortly after peak intensity while south ofKauaʻi on September 11 | |
| Meteorological history | |
|---|---|
| Formed | September 5, 1992 |
| Dissipated | September 13, 1992 |
| Category 4 major hurricane | |
| 1-minute sustained (SSHWS/NWS) | |
| Highest winds | 145 mph (230 km/h) |
| Lowest pressure | 938mbar (hPa); 27.70 inHg |
| Overall effects | |
| Fatalities | 7 total |
| Damage | $3.1 billion (1992USD) (Third-costliest Pacific hurricane on record; costliest in Hawaiian history) |
| Areas affected | Hawaii (particularlyKauaʻi) |
IBTrACS | |
Part of the1992 Pacific hurricane season | |
Hurricane Iniki (/iːˈniːkiː/ee-NEE-kee; Hawaiian:ʻiniki meaning "strong and piercing wind") was ahurricane that struck the island ofKauaʻi on September 11, 1992. It was the most powerful hurricane to strike Hawaiʻi in recorded history, and the only hurricane to directly affect the state during the1992 Pacific hurricane season.[1] Forming on September 5, 1992, it was the first hurricane to hit the state sinceHurricane Iwa in the1982 season, and the only known major hurricane to hit the state. Iniki dissipated on September 13, about halfway between Hawaii and Alaska.
Iniki caused around $3.1 billion (1992 USD) in damage and seven deaths. This made Iniki, at the time, the costliestnatural disaster on record in the state, as well as the third-costliest to hit the U.S. It struck just 18 days afterFlorida was devastated byHurricane Andrew, which was the costliest tropical cyclone ever at the time.
TheCentral Pacific Hurricane Center (CPHC) failed to issuetropical cyclone warnings and watches 24 hours in advance. The hurricane destroyed more than 1,400 houses onKauaʻi and severely damaged more than 5,000. Though not directly in the path of the eye,Oʻahu experienced moderate damage from wind andstorm surge.
Extratropical cyclone, remnant low, tropical disturbance, or monsoon depressionThe origin of Iniki is unclear, but it may have begun as atropical wave that exited the west African coast on August 18. It moved westward across northern South America and Central America, entering the eastern Pacific Ocean on August 28. On September 5, Tropical Depression Eighteen-E developed from the wave, about 1,700 miles (2,700 km) southwest of the southern tip of theBaja California peninsula, or 1,550 miles (2,490 km) east-southeast ofHilo.[1] Upon its formation, the depression had a ragged area ofconvection, and theNational Hurricane Center anticipated minimal strengthening over the subsequent few days. This was due to the convective structure having poorly definedoutflow, or ventilation. Warmsea surface temperatures, 2–5° F (1–3° C) above normal, were considered a positive factor.[2][3][4] On September 6, the depression crossed140° W, entering the area of warning responsibility of theCentral Pacific Hurricane Center (CPHC).[1] On that day, the CPHC anticipated that the depression would dissipate within 24 hours, and ceased issuing advisories, but the depression reorganized on the next day, and warnings were reissued.[4] Steered by asubtropical ridge to the north, the depression continued westward, or slightly south of due west. On September 8, the CPHC upgraded the depression to tropical storm status, giving it the nameIniki, which isHawaiian for a sharp and piercing wind.[1]
Iniki gradually intensified as its track shifted to the north. It moved around the western edge of the subtropical ridge, which was weakening due to an upper-leveltrough moving eastward from theInternational Date Line. Typically, the subtropical ridge keeps storms away from the Hawaiian islands. On September 9, Iniki strengthened into a hurricane, and the next day it passed about 300 miles (480 km) south ofKa Lae, the southernmost point of theBig Island of Hawaii. The hurricane slowed and curved toward the north while continuing to intensify. On September 10, areconnaissance aircraft flew into Iniki, observing sustained winds of 115 mph (185 km/h), which is a major hurricane, or a Category 3 on theSaffir-Simpson scale. The approaching trough caused Iniki to accelerate to the north-northeast toward the western Hawaiian islands.[1]
On September 11, a reconnaissance aircraft observed maximum sustained winds of 145 mph (233 km/h), with gusts to 173 mph (278 km/h), making it a Category 4 hurricane. The flight also observed a minimumbarometric pressure of 938 mbar (27.7 inHg), the lowest ever observed in the Central Pacific at the time. Simultaneously, the hurricane was about 130 mi (210 km) southwest ofLihue. Iniki weakened slightly after its peak, and itseye madelandfall on the southern coast ofKauai nearWaimea with winds of 140 mph (230 km/h), making it the strongest hurricane on record to strike Hawaii. Iniki moved rapidly across the island, and about 40 minutes after landfall, it reemerged into the Pacific Ocean as it accelerated away from the state. The hurricane thereafter weakened, dropping to tropical storm status by September 13. That day, Iniki transitioned into anextratropical cyclone as it integrated with an approachingcold front about halfway between Hawaii and Alaska.[1]
While Iniki was in its development stages, varioustropical cyclone forecast models anticipated a range of possibilities for the hurricane's future trajectory, ranging from a landfall on the Big Island to a path to the west, away from the state. The hurricane initially followed a trajectory similar to other storms in the region, passing south of the state. The CPHC relied on the Miami-basedNational Hurricane Center for the models, and lacked a detailed analysis on each model run, which caused errors in forecasting. The agency also had limited satellite imagery and direct observations to track the hurricane. As such, the CPHC failed to issuetropical cyclone warnings and watches for the hurricane well in advance, although the agency warned for the potential of high surf. For several days before the disaster, the CPHC and the news media forecast Iniki to remain well south of the island chain.[4]
Two days before the storm struck, the Naval Western Oceanography Center on Oʻahu recommended that theUnited States Navy fleet at thePearl Harbor Shipyard to start storm preparations. A few Naval facilities were evacuated, some ahead of official hurricane warnings from the CPHC.[4] Early on September 11, less than 24 hours before Iniki made landfall, the CPHC issued a hurricane watch for Kauaʻi,Niihau, and the northwestern Hawaiian islands to theFrench Frigate Shoals. A few hours later, the agency upgraded the watch to a hurricane warning for Kauaʻi and Niihau. A hurricane warning was later issued forOʻahu, while a tropical storm watch was issued for the islands ofMaui County. Warning sirens blared on Kauaʻi and Oʻahu to warn the public of the approaching storm. The hurricane warning for Kauaʻi was downgraded to a tropical storm warning after Iniki departed the island, causing some confusion whether there was another storm approaching the area. Reports about the storm were disseminated by radio, newspapers, and news stations. After the hurricane warnings were issued, TV stations began 24-hour coverage of the storm. Residents responded well to the hurricane, in part due to the scenes of destruction fromHurricane Andrew in south Florida three weeks earlier. Iniki nearly struck the Central Pacific Hurricane Center inHonolulu. Had it hit there, Iniki, along with Hurricane Andrew andTyphoon Omar, would have struck each of the threeNational Weather Service offices responsible for tropical cyclone warnings within a two-month period.[4]
In response to the approaching hurricane, about 38,000 people evacuated to public shelters, including 8,000 on Kauaʻi and 30,000 people in Oʻahu. On Kauaʻi, school was canceled, and the traffic was light during the evacuation, with streets clear by mid-morning. Rather than send tourists to public shelters, two major hotels kept their occupants in the buildings during Iniki's passage of Kauaʻi.[5] Some residents rode out the hurricane in their homes. According to a post-storm survey, no one on the island did not hear about the impending storm.[4] On Oʻahu, all schools, and most businesses, closed during the storm's passage. Only critical government employees worked during the storm. Officials opened 110 public shelters on Oʻahu, including some schools meant for refuge only; this meant they provided no food, cots, blankets, medications, or other comfort items. Roughly one-third of Oʻahu's population participated in the evacuation, though many others went to the house of a family member or friend for shelter. Officials assessed that the evacuations went well, beginning with the vulnerable coastal area. For those in need, vans and buses gave emergency transportation, while police occupied certain overused intersections. The two main problems during the evacuation were lack of parking at shelters and exit routes for the coastlines.[5] On the Big Island, officials ordered residents within 300 ft (91 m) of the coastline to evacuate to higher ground.[4]
| Rank | Cyclone | Season | Damage | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 5 Otis | 2023 | $12–16 billion | [6] |
| 2 | 1 Manuel | 2013 | $4.2 billion | [7] |
| 3 | 4 Iniki | 1992 | $3.1 billion | [8] |
| 4 | 3 John | 2024 | $2.45 billion | [9] |
| 5 | 4 Odile | 2014 | $1.82 billion | [10] |
| 6 | TS Agatha | 2010 | $1.1 billion | [11] |
| 7 | 4 Hilary | 2023 | $948 million | [12] |
| 8 | 5 Willa | 2018 | $825 million | [13] |
| 9 | 1 Madeline | 1998 | $750 million | [14] |
| 10 | 2 Rosa | 1994 | $700 million | [15] |
Hurricane Iniki was the costliest hurricane ever to strike Hawaii, causing $3.1 billion in damage. That made it the third-costliest U.S. hurricane at the time, behindHurricane Hugo in 1989 andHurricane Andrew in August 1992, one month earlier.[8] It was the first significant hurricane to threaten the state sinceHurricane Iwa ten years earlier.[5] Iniki affected all of Hawaii with high waves and strong winds, with the worst impacts on Kauaʻi.[4] Seven people died during the hurricane – three on Kauaʻi, two offshore, and two on Oahu. The low death toll was likely due to well-executed warnings and preparation.[4] Of the offshore deaths, two wereJapanese nationals who died when their boat capsized south of Kauaʻi.[1] There were also around 100 storm-related injuries throughout the state, some of which occurred during the hurricane's aftermath.[4]
Hurricane Iniki made landfall on south-central Kauaʻi and moved across the island in 40 minutes.[1] Much of the island experienced sustained winds of 100 to 120 mph (160 to 190 km/h). Wind gusts were estimated at 175 mph (282 km/h) at landfall. There was an uncalibrated wind gust of 217 mph (349 km/h) at Makaha Ridge, at the top of a cliff. A station at Makahuena Point recorded a gust of 143 mph (230 km/h).[4] Based on the island's damage patterns, meteorologistTed Fujita estimated there were as many as 26 microbursts, suddendowndrafts of wind capable of reaching 200 mph (320 km/h). There were also twomini-swirls, small localized swirls within the eyewall. In general, the winds descending the island's mountains were more damaging than the upslope winds.[16] In addition to its strong winds, Iniki lashed the southern Kauaʻi coastline with a 4 to 6 m (13 to 20 ft)storm surge, or rise in water. On top of the surge, the hurricane produced wave heights of 17 ft (5.2 m), with ahigh water mark of 22.2 ft (6.8 m) at Waikomo Stream nearKoloa.[4] The high waves left a debris line more than 800 feet (240 m) inland. Because it moved quickly through the island, there were no reports of significant rainfall.[5]
Iniki's passage left extensive damage throughout Kauaʻi, with 14,350 homes damaged to some degree. Only the western part of the island was not severely damaged. Three people died on the island – one due to flying debris, one to a collapsed house, and one of a heart attack. Across Kauaʻi, Iniki destroyed 1,421 houses,[4] including 63 that were lost from the high waves and water. It also severely damaged 5,152 homes, while 7,178 received minor damage,[1] which left more than 7,000 people homeless.[17] High waters damaged several hotels and condominiums along the island's southern shore.[4] A few were restored quickly, but some took several years to be rebuilt. One hotel—theCoco Palms Resort famous for Elvis Presley'sBlue Hawaii—never reopened.[18] Hurricane Iniki's making landfall during daylight hours, combined with the popularity of camcorders, led many Kauaʻi residents to record much of the damage as it occurred. The footage was later used to create an hour-long video documentary.[19] Commercial air service was suspended.[20]
Iniki's high winds also downed 26.5% of the island's transmission poles, 37% of its distribution poles, and 35% of its 800-mile (1,300 km) distribution wire system. The entire island lacked electricity and television service for an extended period.[17] Electric companies restored only 20% of the island's power service within four weeks of Iniki, while other areas had no power for three to four months. Also affected by the storm was the agricultural sector.[1] Much of the sugar cane was already harvested,[17] but what was left was severely damaged. The winds destroyed tender tropical plants like bananas and papayas and uprooted or damaged fruit and nut trees.[1] The high winds stripped much of Kauai of its vegetation, wrecking sugar cane fields as well as fruit and nut trees.[4]
Among those on Kauaʻi was filmmakerSteven Spielberg, who was preparing for the final day of on-location shooting of the filmJurassic Park. He and the 130 of his cast and crew remained safely in a hotel during Iniki's passage.[21][22] According to Spielberg, "every single structure was in shambles; roofs and walls were torn away; telephone poles and trees were down as far as the eye could see." Spielberg included footage of Iniki battering the Kaua'i coastal walls as part of the completed film, where a tropical storm is a pivotal part of the plot. Members of the film's crew helped to clear some of the debris off of nearby roads.[21]
East of the hurricane's landfall, Oʻahu received tropical storm-force winds during Iniki's passage along its southwestern coast, with an island-wide peak gust of 82 mph (132 km/h) inWaianae. The outer rainbands of the hurricane spawned anF1 tornado inNānākuli, also on Oʻahu. Along western Oahu, Iniki produced a 2 to 4 ft (0.61 to 1.22 m) surge, with 17 ft (5.2 m) waves recorded nearMākaha.[4] Prolonged periods of high waves severely eroded and damaged the southwestern coast of Oʻahu, with the areas most affected beingBarbers Point throughKaʻena.[1] The Waiʻanae coastline experienced the most damage, with waves and storm surge flooding the second floor of beachside apartments.[23] In all, Hurricane Iniki caused several million dollars in property damage,[5] and two deaths on Oʻahu.[1]
High swells affected the southwestern coasts of Maui and the Big Island, which damaged boats, harbors, and coastal structures.[4] On the Big Island, seas of 10 ft (3.0 m) were reported, along with 40 mph (65 km/h) winds.[24] The high waves damaged 12 homes on the Big Island.[16] InHonokōhau Harbor, three or four sailboats were tossed onto the rocks and one trimaran at another harbor was sunk. A beach nearNapoʻopoʻo onKealakekua Bay lost some sand and to this day has never been the same.[25]
| Hurricane | Season | Wind speed | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Otis | 2023 | 160 mph (260 km/h) | [26] |
| Patricia | 2015 | 150 mph (240 km/h) | [27] |
| Madeline | 1976 | 145 mph (230 km/h) | [28] |
| Twelve | 1957 | 140 mph (220 km/h) | [29] |
| "Mexico" | 1959 | [29] | |
| Iniki | 1992 | [30] | |
| Kenna | 2002 | [31] | |
| Lidia | 2023 | [32] |
Immediately after the storm, many were relieved to have survived the worst of the hurricane; their complacency turned to apprehensiveness due to lack of information, as every radio station was out and no news was available for several days. Because Iniki knocked out electrical power for most of the island, communities held parties to consume perishable food from unpowered refrigerators and freezers, and many hotels prepared and hosted free meals to use up their perishables. Though some food markets allowed those affected to take what they needed, many Kauaʻi citizens insisted on paying. In addition, entertainers from all of Hawaiʻi, includingGraham Nash (who owns a home on the north shore of Kauaʻi) and theHonolulu Symphony, gave free concerts for the victims.[18]
Three days after Iniki struck Hawaii, the NOAA Assistant Administrator for Weather Services directed that a disaster survey team investigate the warnings and responsiveness to the hurricane.[4] The passages of Iwa and Iniki within a ten-year period increased public awareness of hurricanes in Hawaii.[16]
Looting occurred in Iniki's aftermath, but it was very minor. A group from theArmy Corps of Engineers, who experienced the looting during Hurricane Andrew just weeks before, were surprised at the overall calmness and lack of violence on the island. Electrical power was restored to most of the island about six weeks after the hurricane, but students returned to Kauaʻi public schools two weeks after the disaster. Kauaʻi citizens remained hopeful for monetary aid from the government or insurance companies, but after six months they felt annoyed by the lack of help.[18] But the military effectively provided aid for their immediate needs, including MREs (meals ready to eat), and help arrived before local officials requested aid.[33]
By four weeks after the hurricane, only 20% of power was restored on Kauaʻi, following the island-wide blackout.[1]Amateur radio proved extremely helpful during the three weeks after the storm, with volunteers coming from neighboring islands as well as from around the Pacific to assist in the recovery. There was support of local government communications in Lihue in the first week of recovery[23] as well as a hastily organized effort by local operators to assist with theAmerican Red Cross and their efforts to provide shelters and disaster relief centers across Kauaʻi.[34]
In the months after the storm, many insurance companies left Hawaiʻi. To combat this,GovernorJohn D. Waiheʻe III enacted the Hurricane Relief Fund in 1993 to help unprotected Hawaiʻi residents. The fund was never needed for another Hawaiʻi hurricane, and it was eliminated in 2000, when insurance companies returned to the island.[35]
Iniki ravaged multiple islands' native forest bird population.[36] The last knownKauaʻi ʻōʻō (Moho braccatus) is believed to have been killed by Iniki and the death of this individual also marked the extinction of the entireMohoidae family.[37][38] It is also thought that the storm blew apart manychicken coops, some possibly used to house fighting chickens; this caused a dramatic increase in feral chickens roaming Kauaʻi.[39]
Due to the storm's impact, theWorld Meteorological Organizationretired the nameIniki after the 1992 season; it will never again be used for a Central Pacific tropical cyclone. It was replaced in the basin's naming rotation withIolana.[40][41]
The events and survivor accounts of the hurricane were featured in an episode ofThe Weather ChanneldocuseriesStorm Stories, "Iniki Jurassic",[42] the sixth episode of theGRB Entertainment docuseriesEarth's Fury (also known asAnatomy of Disaster outside the U.S.), "Hurricane Force",[43] the fourth episode of the 2008Discovery Channel reality television seriesDestroyed in Seconds,[44] the 1996Fox television specialWhen Disasters Strike, and the 11th episode of the 1999 reality television seriesWorld's Most Amazing Videos.[45]
| Eastern | |
|---|---|
| Central | |
Tropical cyclones of the1992 Pacific hurricane season | ||
|---|---|---|
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