Two major tsunamis hit the Hawaiian Islands in the 20th century. The North Coast of Kaua‘i was very hard hit in both cases, and Ha‘ena especially devastated. In addition, Ha‘ena's isolation and its link to the rest of the island by several bridges, made rescue efforts difficult.

The 1946 tsunami hit with two powerful waves, with a maximum run-up of forty-five feet in elevation. All the bridges at Wainiha were washed out, and the tiny village of Wainiha itself was flattened. At Ha‘ena , most of the damage occurred on the flat at the Wainiha end of the ahupua‘a. At least fourteen people died, including many children, and several homes were washed away.

Image courtesy of the Pacific Tsunami Museum.

The second tsunami hit in 1957. 75 homes were demolished or damaged along the 15 mile strip between Kalihiwai and Ha‘ena--including 25 of 29 at Ha‘ena itself-- leaving around 250 persons homeless. Six Kaua‘i bridges were washed out, including the bridge at Kalihiwai, isolating 1,000 persons on the Ha‘ena end of the road. Fortunately, no deaths or injuries resulted from this event.

A party at the Rice home at Ha‘ena, before the tsunami. Image courtesy of the Pacific Tsunami Museum.

The same location, after the tsunami. Image courtesy of the Pacific Tsunami Museum.

Newspaper reports from the time of each tsunami tell sadly of the damage and casualties inflicted, but also of the acts of heroism undertaken as residents struggled to save each other both during and after the waves. They also paint broader pictures of the historical conditions in Ha‘ena at the time, and suggest how the human landscape of the area was changed by these events. Clicking on a the link below will open that article in a new window:

1946 Tsunami Articles:

• Kauai Attempting To Get Aid To Stricken (April 03, 1946)
• 14 Dead Listed at Kauai (April 03, 1946)
• Haena Survivors Tell Dramatic Stories of Heroism and Faith (April 05, 1946)

1957 Tsunami Articles:

• 250 Kauai Residents Lose Homes (March 11, 1957)
• 235 Oahu, Kauai Homes Damaged (March 21, 1957)

Despite these tragedies, Ha‘ena continued to attract visitors who came and sometimes, caught in the spell of Ha‘ena's beauty and isolation, stayed on for a while. One of the most notorious such situations was a collection of young people who had "dropped out" in the 1960s and found, in Ha‘ena, a chance to pursue an alternative lifestyle. Turn the page to learn about historic Taylor Camp.