Tsunamis in Maui County: Oral Histories

  • Collection DOI:
    Principal Investigator:
    Jeanne Johnston
  • These interviews are part of the Center for Oral History's project, Tsunamis in Maui County: Oral Histories. Interviews from this project are available in the Center's ScholarSpace open-access repository.

    This collection of interviews represent first-person accounts of any tsunami occurring in Maui County. Although the most severe tsunami occurred on April 1, 1946, some residents recalled tsunamis occurring as far back as 1923. In addition to the first-person accounts, the interviewees provide descriptions of the areas that they grew up in. They also provide advice to the readers on what to do in the event of future tsunamis.

    The Center for Oral History (COH), in the Department of Ethnic Studies at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, collects, documents, preserves and highlights the recollections of Native Hawaiians and the multi-ethnic people of Hawaiʻi. It produces oral histories and interpretive historical materials about lifeways, key historic events, social movements and Hawaiʻi’s role in the globalizing world, for the widest possible use.

Interviewee Collection Sort descending Description Interviewer Date of Interview Location of Interview Affiliation
Harry Pahukoa, Jr. Tsunamis in Maui County: Oral Histories

A man who grew up in Keanae tells of his parents' background, his schooling, and army tour of duty. He describes the 1946 tidal wave which took the life of his aunt. The escape of his mother and her grandchildren, death of his aunt, Young Men's Christian Association and Red Cross assistance, and current precautions are among the topics discussed.

Jeanne Johnston Koali, HI University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Center for Oral History
Edwin Lelepali Tsunamis in Maui County: Oral Histories

A Kalaupapa resident describes his traumatic birth, father and adopted sister, confinement in Kalihi Hospital, Pearl Harbor day, transport to Kalaupapa settlement, and adjustment to life there. He recalls the 1946 tidal wave and the subsequent damage and repair of the settlement's water supply pipe. He concludes with reflections on his life at Kalaupapa.

Jeanne Johnston Kalaupapa, HI University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Center for Oral History
Richard Omuro Tsunamis in Maui County: Oral Histories

Born in Spreckelsville, a man recalls life in Camp 3. He talks about attending English-standard Kaunoa School and how it fared in the 1946 tsunami. He describes how his family drove down to Lahaina to help an aunt and uncle whose business was destroyed. Also includes his eyewitness account of tidal wave behavior.

Jeanne Johnston Wailuku, HI University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Center for Oral History
Elizabeth Napua Kaupu Tsunamis in Maui County: Oral Histories

A Molokai resident describes the home of her adoptive grandfather in Kapulei, Pukoo. She recalls the receding tide of the 1946 tidal wave and the fish, eel, and squid which washed to shore. She also relates her husband's reading of the ocean prior to the 1956 tidal wave.

Jeanne Johnston Kapa'akea, HI University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Center for Oral History
Mae Omuro Tsunamis in Maui County: Oral Histories

The eldest daughter of florists describes her Waiehu beachfront neighborhood. She tells of her family's escape from the 1946 tsunami and describes the receding and incoming waves. Also present at the interview is her husband Richard Omuro.

Jeanne Johnston Wailuku, HI University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Center for Oral History
Henry Kahula, Sr. Tsunamis in Maui County: Oral Histories

A man recaps his life story from family background, growing up in Hana, and life in Hamoa. He describes the waves and destruction that occurred in Hamoa on April 1, 1946.

Jeanne Johnston Hana, HI University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Center for Oral History
Eddie Oliveira Tsunamis in Maui County: Oral Histories

A man recaps his life story from family background, Nahiku home, childhood games, Civilian Conservation Corps, defense work, military service, and marriage. Missing the 1946 tsunami because he and friends went hunting in the mountains, he recalls visiting Hamoa and describes the devastation there.

Jeanne Johnston Hana, HI University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Center for Oral History
Ivy Carbonell Tsunamis in Maui County: Oral Histories

A Puunene-born woman speaks of her family and growing up in Spanish B Camp. She describes teenage life when she attended St. Anthony's School in the 1950s. Also mentioned are her jobs, marriage, and children. She presents a detailed account of her escape from the 1960 tsunami which inundated Kahului and tells of the major cleanup which followed.

Jeanne Johnston Kahului, HI University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Center for Oral History
Henry Nalaielua Tsunamis in Maui County: Oral Histories

A Molokai resident describes the waves which washed ashore on April 1, 1946 and the destruction of beachfront houses in Kalaupapa.

Jeanne Johnston Kalaupapa, HI University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Center for Oral History
Jackie Kahula Tsunamis in Maui County: Oral Histories

An adopted man describes growing up in the close-knit Hawaiian village of Hamoa, Hana, Maui. Age eleven in 1946, he recalls the tidal wave, which took his adopted mother and destroyed his home.

Jeanne Johnston Hana, HI University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Center for Oral History