Chapter 10- Natural Hazards

Despite it’s breathtaking views and relaxing scenery, Kauai and the other islands of Hawaii are vulnerable to numerous natural hazards that include flooding, hurricanes, volcanoes, tsunamis and earthquakes.  Heavy rainfall is the cause of flash floods.  Rain can create cascading rivers that take everything in their path with them.  Lives are also occasionally lost during flash floods, either hikers or people swept away in their vehicles.  Flash floods occur more often that tsunamis or hurricanes.  In 2006, there was flooding across the islands of Hawaii from a six-week rain period.  In Kauai, the flooding caused a dam to break, resulting in the death of seven people.

On November 23, 1982, Hurricane Iwa struck the islands of Niihau, Kauai, and Oahu.  The Hurricane was category 1 and is one of the costliest hurricanes to hit the islands.  Thousands of homes and buildings were destroyed or damaged, 500 people were homeless, and a total of 4 lives were lost.  5 days after the hurricane struck, President Reagan announced the three islands as disaster areas. Iwa's name was retired due to the subsequent storm.  It was the first hurricane to be retired in the Central Pacific and remains only one of four retired.  

Volcanic activity can also lead to danger amongst people and property.  Lava flows, ash falls and debris avalanches are common of volcanoes.  Lava is molten rock that flows from the interior of the earth’s surface. It can flow up to 30 miles per hour and can cover areas that are miles wide.  Lava flows burns and buries everything in its path, including homes and plants.  Eruptions of volcanoes emit gases such as sulfur dioxide, carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide.  Sulfur dioxide mixed with water in the atmosphere creates acid raid.  Acid rain causes corrosion and is very damaging to plant sustainability.  Carbon dioxide is also a threat because it collects in valleys.  If enough accumulates, it is toxic and can cause people and animals to suffocate.