Flood Hazards Gallery

In November 2000, the Big Island was hit with an enormous amount of rainfall, resulting in flooding in Hilo, Puna, and Kau. The November 2000 flood dropped a record-breaking amount of rain on the southeastern half of the Big Island. A total of 37 inches of rain fell in 24 hours at Kapapala Ranch near the town of Pahala. Out of this total, an incredible 22.25 inches fell in just 6 hours.

Video Gallery

Videos are presented in Quicktime format.

photo of Komohana floodFlooding in Hilo's Aleanaio Channel below Komohana.

photo of Kikaha floodFlooding in Hilo near Kawailani Street.

photo of Pahala floodFlooding in Pahala.

photo of Bayfront floodFlooding in Hilo near the soccer fields on bayfront.

photo of truck stuck in flood
This is why it's a bad idea to drive through flooded streets.

Flood Photos

The Wailuku River carried so much water that the rocks at the top of the falls were barely visible.

The Waiakea Stream overflowed, saturating the grounds of the UHH dorms.

On Komohana Street, the culvert and overlying road were washed away.

The Komohana culvert washed up in someone's backyard.

The bridge along Highway 11 near Pahala Hospital was heavily damaged.

Boulders attest to the strength of the flood.


A police officer surveys the damage.