A tropical downpour on the island of Oahu, which meterologists have called Hawaii's rainstorm of the centruy, damaged the homes of some 48 LDS families. Fifteen of these were severely damaged or destroyed.
From 10 to 17 inches of rain fell between 8 a.m. Dec. 31 and 8 a.m. Jan. 1, accompanied by 65 mph winds that tore roofs from some houses. Complicating matters was a high tide at the crest of the storm that blocked storm drains.Pres. Donald L. Hallstrom of the Honolulu Hawaii Stake said most of the damage in his stake occurred in the Hawaii Kai 2nd Ward where 20 homes were damaged, five seriously. More than 70 members helped in the cleanup following the storm. After member families were cared for, the LDS volunteers helped in the community clean-up.
Pres. Don J. Heinz of the Kahului stake said that 28 families had homes damaged in the Kahului 2nd Ward, and 10 of those homes were total losses.
American Red Cross officials estimated the damage at $29.5 million.