| Date | October 15, 2006 |
|---|---|
| Origin time | 17:07:49 UTC [1] |
| Magnitude | 6.7 Mw [1] |
| Depth | 29 kilometers (18 mi) [1] |
| Epicenter | 19.89°N 156.07°WCoordinates: 19.89°N 156.07°W [1] |
| Type | Oblique-normal [2] |
| Areas affected | Hawaii, United States |
| Max. intensity | VIII (Severe) |
| Tsunami | Yes |
| Aftershocks | 6.1 Mw Oct 15 at 17:14 UTC [1] |
| Casualties | None [3] |
The 2006 Hawaii earthquake occurred on Sunday October 15 at 7:07:49 AM local time with a moment magnitude of 6.7 and a maximumMercalli intensity of VIII (Severe). The shock was centered 21 kilometers (13 mi) southwest of Puakō and 21 km (13 mi) north of Kailua-Kona,Hawaiʻi, just offshore of the Kona Airport, at a depth of 29 km (18 mi). It produced several aftershocks, including one that measured a magnitude of 6.1 seven minutes after the main shock. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center measured a small, nondestructive tsunami of 4 in (100 mm) on the coast of the Big Island.
The most severe damage caused by the earthquake was focused on the north and western sides of the island of Hawaii. Damage was also quite heavy on the eastern side of Maui, and minor damage spread all the way out to western Oahu, 170 miles (270 km) away from the earthquake’s epicenter. On theBig Island, many houses had large cracks and broken windows, and at least 61 buildings were destroyed and red-tagged by officials. Almost all houses in west Hawaii reported extensive internal damage but most avoided significant structural damage, the reason being that most of the buildings in the area around the epicenter of the earthquake have been built in the last few decades and are well constructed. Even so, over $200 million in damage occurred.[8]
The largest and most luxurious hotels on the Island of Hawaii also happened to be clustered within ten miles (16 km) of the earthquake’s epicenter along the Kohala coast. The 1965 Mauna Kea Beach Hotel had its entire south end collapse, and the hotel’s top floor was considered “destroyed.” The hotel closed December 1 after a month-long inspection revealed that the building was unsafe and in danger of collapse. After a $150 million renovation, the hotel reopened in December 2008.[9][10] The Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel was temporarily evacuated after the earthquake due to structural damage, broken glass and flooding caused by broken water pipes. The Surety Kohala Corporation assessed the structural integrity to their Kohala Ditch, which functioned as a tourist attraction for 10 years. The ditch was deemed irreparable and unsafe, ultimately closing this money maker.
Many roads and bridges collapsed or had deep cracks, and clean-up crews had to work for days to remove debris from the countless landslides. Many landmarks on the island were greatly affected. The Kalahikiola Congregational Church in Kohala was destroyed due to the collapse of the church’s stone walls; the Hawi smoke stack, a relic of the old sugarcane trade, completely collapsed as well. The Hulihee Palace in Kailua Kona suffered extensive structural damage.[11] Another popular tourist area, Kealakekua Bay, home of the white monument toCaptain James Cook, was swept over by massive landslides that caused the entire bay and its surrounding areas to momentarily disappear in a thick cloud of brown dust.[
Were you here when it happened? What are your memories of the event? How has Kohala changed since? Please comment below.