View source for Hurricane Iniki

{{Short description|Category 4 Pacific hurricane in 1992}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2024}}
{{Infobox weather event
| image = Iniki 1992-09-11 2331.png
| caption = Hurricane Iniki shortly after peak intensity while south of [[Kauai|Kaua{{okina}}i]] on September 11
| formed = September 5, 1992
| dissipated = September 13, 1992
}}{{Infobox weather event/NWS
| winds = 125
| pressure = 938
}}{{Infobox weather event/Effects
| year = 1992
| fatalities = 7 total
| damage = 3100000000
| damages-suffix = <br>(Third-costliest Pacific hurricane on record; costliest in Hawaiian history)
| areas = Hawaii (particularly [[Kauai|Kaua{{okina}}i]])
| refs = 
}}{{Infobox weather event/Footer
| season = [[1992 Pacific hurricane season]]
}}
'''Hurricane Iniki''' ({{IPAc-en|iː|ˈ|n|iː|k|iː}} {{respell|ee|NEE|kee}}; Hawaiian: ''{{okina}}iniki'' meaning "strong and piercing wind") was a [[hurricane]] that struck the island of [[Kauai|Kaua{{okina}}i]] on September 11, 1992. It was the most powerful hurricane to strike Hawai{{okina}}i in recorded history, and the only hurricane to directly affect the state during the [[1992 Pacific hurricane season]].<ref name="cphc">{{cite report |author=Central Pacific Hurricane Center |year=1993 |url={{NHC TCR url|id=CP1992_Seasonal_TCR}} |title=The 1992 Central Pacific Tropical Cyclone Season |publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration |access-date=November 24, 2003}}</ref> Forming on September 5, 1992, it was the first hurricane to hit the state since [[Hurricane Iwa]] in the [[1982 Pacific hurricane season|1982 season]], and the only known major hurricane to hit the state. Iniki dissipated on September 13, about halfway between Hawaii and Alaska.

Iniki caused around $3.1&nbsp;billion (1992&nbsp;USD) in damage and seven deaths. This made Iniki, at the time, the costliest [[natural disaster]] on record in the state, as well as the third-costliest to hit the U.S. It struck just 18 days after [[Florida]] was devastated by [[Hurricane Andrew]], which was the costliest tropical cyclone ever at the time.

The [[Central Pacific Hurricane Center]] (CPHC) failed to issue [[tropical cyclone warnings and watches]] 24&nbsp;hours in advance. The hurricane destroyed more than 1,400 houses on [[Kauai|Kaua{{okina}}i]] and severely damaged more than 5,000. Though not directly in the path of the eye, [[Oahu|O{{okina}}ahu]] experienced moderate damage from wind and [[storm surge]].

== Meteorological history ==
{{Storm path|Iniki 1992 track.png}}
The origin of Iniki is unclear, but it may have begun as a [[tropical wave]] that exited the west African coast on August&nbsp;18. It moved westward across northern South America and Central America, entering the eastern Pacific Ocean on August&nbsp;28. On September&nbsp;5, Tropical Depression Eighteen-E developed from the wave, about {{convert|1700|mi|km}} southwest of the southern tip of the [[Baja California peninsula]], or {{convert|1550|mi|km}} east-southeast of [[Hilo, Hawaii|Hilo]].<ref name="cphc"/> Upon its formation, the depression had a ragged area of [[convection (meteorology)|convection]], and the [[National Hurricane Center]] anticipated minimal strengthening over the subsequent few days. This was due to the convective structure having poorly defined [[outflow (meteorology)|outflow]], or ventilation. Warm [[sea surface temperatures]], 2&ndash;5°&nbsp;[[Fahrenheit|F]] (1&ndash;3°&nbsp;[[Celsius|C]]) above normal, were considered a positive factor.<ref>{{cite report|author=Miles B. Lawrence|date=September 5, 1992|publisher=National Hurricane Center|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/epacific/ep1992/td18e/tropdisc/nep1892.001|title=Tropical Depression Eighteen-E Discussion 1|access-date=February 6, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite report|author=Max Mayfield|date=September 5, 1992|publisher=National Hurricane Center|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/epacific/ep1992/td18e/tropdisc/nep1892.002|title=Tropical Depression Eighteen-E Discussion 2|access-date=February 6, 2021}}</ref><ref name="report"/> On September&nbsp;6, the depression crossed [[140th meridian west|140° W]], entering the area of warning responsibility of the [[Central Pacific Hurricane Center]] (CPHC).<ref name="cphc"/> On that day, the CPHC anticipated that the depression would dissipate within 24&nbsp;hours, and ceased issuing advisories, but the depression reorganized on the next day, and warnings were reissued.<ref name="report"/> Steered by a [[subtropical ridge]] to the north, the depression continued westward, or slightly south of due west. On September&nbsp;8, the CPHC upgraded the depression to tropical storm status, giving it the name ''Iniki'', which is [[Hawaiian language|Hawaiian]] for a sharp and piercing wind.<ref name="cphc"/>

Iniki gradually intensified as its track shifted to the north. It moved around the western edge of the subtropical ridge, which was weakening due to an upper-level [[trough (meteorology)|trough]] moving eastward from the [[International Date Line]]. Typically, the subtropical ridge keeps storms away from the Hawaiian islands. On September&nbsp;9, Iniki strengthened into a hurricane, and the next day it passed about {{convert|300|mi}} south of [[Ka Lae]], the southernmost point of the [[Hawaii (island)|Big Island of Hawaii]]. The hurricane slowed and curved toward the north while continuing to intensify. On September&nbsp;10, a [[Hurricane hunters|reconnaissance aircraft]] flew into Iniki, observing sustained winds of {{convert|115|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}, which is a major hurricane, or a Category&nbsp;3 on the [[Saffir-Simpson scale]]. The approaching trough caused Iniki to accelerate to the north-northeast toward the western Hawaiian islands.<ref name="cphc"/>

On September&nbsp;11, a reconnaissance aircraft observed maximum sustained winds of {{convert|145|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}, with gusts to {{convert|173|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}, making it a Category&nbsp;4 hurricane. The flight also observed a minimum [[atmospheric pressure|barometric pressure]] of {{convert|938|mbar|inHg|abbr=on}}, the lowest ever observed in the Central Pacific at the time. Simultaneously, the hurricane was about {{convert|130|mi|km|abbr=on}} southwest of [[Lihue]]. Iniki weakened slightly after its peak, and its [[eye (cyclone)|eye]] made [[landfall (meteorology)|landfall]] on the southern coast of [[Kauai]] near [[Waimea, Kauai County, Hawaii|Waimea]] with winds of {{convert|140|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}, making it the strongest hurricane on record to strike Hawaii. Iniki moved rapidly across the island, and about 40&nbsp;minutes after landfall, it reemerged into the Pacific Ocean as it accelerated away from the state. The hurricane thereafter weakened, dropping to tropical storm status by September&nbsp;13. That day, Iniki transitioned into an [[extratropical cyclone]] as it integrated with an approaching [[cold front]] about halfway between Hawaii and Alaska.<ref name="cphc"/>

==Preparations==
While Iniki was in its development stages, various [[tropical cyclone forecast model]]s anticipated a range of possibilities for the hurricane's future trajectory, ranging from a landfall on the Big Island to a path to the west, away from the state. The hurricane initially followed a trajectory similar to other storms in the region, passing south of the state. The CPHC relied on the Miami-based [[National Hurricane Center]] for the models, and lacked a detailed analysis on each model run, which caused errors in forecasting. The agency also had limited satellite imagery and direct observations to track the hurricane. As such, the CPHC failed to issue [[tropical cyclone warnings and watches]] for the hurricane well in advance, although the agency warned for the potential of high surf. For several days before the disaster, the CPHC and the news media forecast Iniki to remain well south of the island chain.<ref name="report">{{cite report|date=April 1993|title=Natural Disaster Survey Report: Hurricane Iniki|access-date=February 7, 2021|url=https://www.weather.gov/media/publications/assessments/iniki1.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120208095933/http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/assessments/iniki/introtoc.pdf|archive-date=February 8, 2012|url-status=live}}</ref>

Two days before the storm struck, the Naval Western Oceanography Center on O{{okina}}ahu recommended that the [[United States Navy]] fleet at the [[Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard|Pearl Harbor Shipyard]] to start storm preparations. A few Naval facilities were evacuated, some ahead of official hurricane warnings from the CPHC.<ref name="report"/> Early on September&nbsp;11, less than 24&nbsp;hours before Iniki made landfall, the CPHC issued a hurricane watch for Kaua{{okina}}i, [[Niihau]], and the northwestern Hawaiian islands to the [[French Frigate Shoals]]. A few hours later, the agency upgraded the watch to a hurricane warning for Kaua{{okina}}i and Niihau. A hurricane warning was later issued for [[Oahu|O{{okina}}ahu]], while a tropical storm watch was issued for the islands of [[Maui County, Hawaii|Maui County]]. Warning sirens blared on Kaua{{okina}}i and Oʻahu to warn the public of the approaching storm. The hurricane warning for Kaua{{okina}}i was downgraded to a tropical storm warning after Iniki departed the island, causing some confusion whether there was another storm approaching the area. Reports about the storm were disseminated by radio, newspapers, and news stations. After the hurricane warnings were issued, TV stations began 24-hour coverage of the storm. Residents responded well to the hurricane, in part due to the scenes of destruction from [[Hurricane Andrew]] in south Florida three weeks earlier. Iniki nearly struck the Central Pacific Hurricane Center in [[Honolulu, Hawaii|Honolulu]]. Had it hit there, Iniki, along with Hurricane Andrew and [[Typhoon Omar]], would have struck each of the three [[National Weather Service]] offices responsible for tropical cyclone warnings within a two-month period.<ref name="report"/>

In response to the approaching hurricane, about 38,000&nbsp;people evacuated to public shelters, including 8,000&nbsp;on Kaua{{okina}}i and 30,000&nbsp;people in O{{okina}}ahu. On Kaua{{okina}}i, school was canceled, and the traffic was light during the evacuation, with streets clear by mid-morning. Rather than send tourists to public shelters, two major hotels kept their occupants in the buildings during Iniki's passage of Kaua{{okina}}i.<ref name="assessment"/> Some residents rode out the hurricane in their homes. According to a post-storm survey, no one on the island did not hear about the impending storm.<ref name="report"/> On Oʻahu, all schools, and most businesses, closed during the storm's passage. Only critical government employees worked during the storm. Officials opened 110&nbsp;public shelters on Oʻahu, including some schools meant for refuge only; this meant they provided no food, cots, blankets, medications, or other comfort items. Roughly one-third of O{{okina}}ahu's population participated in the evacuation, though many others went to the house of a family member or friend for shelter. Officials assessed that the evacuations went well, beginning with the vulnerable coastal area. For those in need, vans and buses gave emergency transportation, while police occupied certain overused intersections. The two main problems during the evacuation were lack of parking at shelters and exit routes for the coastlines.<ref name="assessment">{{cite web|author=US Army Corps of Engineers|year=1993|title=Hurricane Iniki Assessment|publisher=US Military|access-date=March 13, 2006|url=http://coast.noaa.gov/hes/docs/postStorm/H_INIKI_ASSESSMENT_REVIEW_HES_UTILIZATION_INFO_DISSEMINATION.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141223194438/http://coast.noaa.gov/hes/docs/postStorm/H_INIKI_ASSESSMENT_REVIEW_HES_UTILIZATION_INFO_DISSEMINATION.pdf|archive-date=December 23, 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> On the Big Island, officials ordered residents within {{convert|300|ft|m|abbr=on}} of the coastline to evacuate to higher ground.<ref name="report"/>

==Impact==
{{Costliest Pacific hurricanes|align=right}}
Hurricane Iniki was the costliest hurricane ever to strike Hawaii, causing $3.1&nbsp;billion in damage. That made it the third-costliest U.S. hurricane at the time, behind [[Hurricane Hugo]] in 1989 and [[Hurricane Andrew]] in August 1992, one month earlier.<ref name="Costliest TC's"/> It was the first significant hurricane to threaten the state since [[Hurricane Iwa]] ten years earlier.<ref name="assessment"/> Iniki affected all of Hawaii with high waves and strong winds, with the worst impacts on Kaua{{okina}}i.<ref name="report"/> Seven people died during the hurricane &ndash; three on Kaua{{okina}}i, two offshore, and two on Oahu. The low death toll was likely due to well-executed warnings and preparation.<ref name="report"/> Of the offshore deaths, two were [[Japan]]ese nationals who died when their boat capsized south of Kaua{{okina}}i.<ref name="cphc"/> There were also around 100&nbsp;storm-related injuries throughout the state, some of which occurred during the hurricane's aftermath.<ref name="report"/>

=== Kaua{{okina}}i ===
Hurricane Iniki made landfall on south-central Kaua{{okina}}i and moved across the island in 40&nbsp;minutes.<ref name="cphc"/> Much of the island experienced sustained winds of {{convert|100|to|120|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}. Wind gusts were estimated at {{convert|175|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} at landfall. There was an uncalibrated wind gust of {{convert|217|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} at Makaha Ridge, at the top of a cliff. A station at Makahuena Point recorded a gust of {{convert|143|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}.<ref name="report"/> Based on the island's damage patterns, meteorologist [[Ted Fujita]] estimated there were as many as 26&nbsp;[[downburst|microbursts]], sudden [[Vertical draft|downdrafts]] of wind capable of reaching {{convert|200|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}. There were also two [[Eye (cyclone)#Eyewall mesovortices|mini-swirls]], small localized swirls within the eyewall. In general, the winds descending the island's mountains were more damaging than the upslope winds.<ref name="usgs"/> In addition to its strong winds, Iniki lashed the southern Kaua{{okina}}i coastline with a {{convert|4|to|6|m|abbr=on}} [[storm surge]], or rise in water. On top of the surge, the hurricane produced wave heights of {{convert|17|ft|m|abbr=on}}, with a [[high water mark]] of {{convert|22.2|ft|m|abbr=on}} at Waikomo Stream near [[Koloa, Hawaii|Koloa]].<ref name="report"/> The high waves left a debris line more than {{convert|800|ft|m}} inland. Because it moved quickly through the island, there were no reports of significant rainfall.<ref name="assessment"/>

[[File:Iniki Tree Winds.jpg|thumb|alt=A road surrounded by downed and damaged trees|Wind damage to trees from Iniki]]

Iniki's passage left extensive damage throughout Kaua{{okina}}i, with 14,350&nbsp;homes damaged to some degree. Only the western part of the island was not severely damaged. Three people died on the island &ndash; one due to flying debris, one to a collapsed house, and one of a heart attack. Across Kaua{{okina}}i, Iniki destroyed 1,421&nbsp;houses,<ref name="report"/> including 63 that were lost from the high waves and water. It also severely damaged 5,152&nbsp;homes, while 7,178 received minor damage,<ref name="cphc"/> which left more than 7,000&nbsp;people homeless.<ref name="stats">{{cite web|author=Unknown|year=1992|title=Broadcast Journalism: Write to the Bite|publisher=Unknown|access-date=March 13, 2006|url=http://www.mohs.k12.hi.us/media-central/docs/bj-docs/write-to-the-bite-info-sheet-2k5.doc|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120216144141/http://www.mohs.k12.hi.us/media-central/docs/bj-docs/write-to-the-bite-info-sheet-2k5.doc|archive-date=February 16, 2012}}</ref> High waters damaged several hotels and condominiums along the island's southern shore.<ref name="report"/> A few were restored quickly, but some took several years to be rebuilt. One hotel—the [[Coco Palms Resort]] famous for Elvis Presley's ''[[Blue Hawaii]]''—never reopened.<ref name="kauai">{{cite web|author=Anthony Sommer|year=2002|title=The people of Kauai lived through a nightmare when the powerful storm struck|publisher=Honolulu Star-Bulletin|access-date=March 13, 2006|url=http://starbulletin.com/2002/09/08/news/story5.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060311082440/http://starbulletin.com/2002/09/08/news/story5.html|archive-date=March 11, 2006|url-status=live}}</ref> Hurricane Iniki's making landfall during daylight hours, combined with the popularity of camcorders, led many Kaua{{okina}}i residents to record much of the damage as it occurred. The footage was later used to create an hour-long video documentary.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.video-hawaii.com/iniki.html|title=ドッグフードにある栄養素|website=www.video-hawaii.com|access-date=April 7, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19970622115409/http://www.video-hawaii.com/iniki.html|archive-date=June 22, 1997|url-status=live}}</ref> Commercial air service was suspended.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.nytimes.com/1992/09/13/us/big-waves-at-waikiki-but-oahu-is-mostly-spared.html | work=The New York Times | title=Big Waves at Waikiki but Oahu Is Mostly Spared | date=September 13, 1992 | access-date=February 16, 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170912060141/http://www.nytimes.com/1992/09/13/us/big-waves-at-waikiki-but-oahu-is-mostly-spared.html | archive-date=September 12, 2017 | url-status=live }}</ref>

[[File:Iniki Damaged Sidewalk.jpg|thumb|left|alt=A washed out sidewark surrounded by trees and water|Sidewalk and tree damage from Iniki]]

Iniki's high winds also downed 26.5% of the island's transmission poles, 37% of its distribution poles, and 35% of its {{convert|800|mi|km|adj=on}} distribution wire system. The entire island lacked electricity and television service for an extended period.<ref name="stats"/> Electric companies restored only 20% of the island's power service within four weeks of Iniki, while other areas had no power for three to four months. Also affected by the storm was the agricultural sector.<ref name="cphc"/> Much of the sugar cane was already harvested,<ref name="stats"/> but what was left was severely damaged. The winds destroyed tender tropical plants like bananas and papayas and uprooted or damaged fruit and nut trees.<ref name="cphc"/> The high winds stripped much of Kauai of its vegetation, wrecking sugar cane fields as well as fruit and nut trees.<ref name="report"/>

Among those on Kaua{{okina}}i was filmmaker [[Steven Spielberg]], who was preparing for the final day of on-location shooting of the film ''[[Jurassic Park (film)|Jurassic Park]]''. He and the 130 of his cast and crew remained safely in a hotel during Iniki's passage.<ref name=jurassic>{{cite book |last1=Shay |first1=Don |last2=Duncan |first2=Jody |date=June 1993 |title=The Making of Jurassic Park |url=https://archive.org/details/makingofjurassic00shay/page/85 |publisher=Ballantine Books |pages=[https://archive.org/details/makingofjurassic00shay/page/85 85–87] |isbn=0-345-38122-X |url-access=registration }}</ref><ref name="spielberg">{{cite news|author=Al Kamen|newspaper=Washington Post|access-date=March 13, 2006|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/weather/hurricane/poststories/iniki.htm|date=September 13, 1992|title=Hawaii Hurricane Devastates Kauai|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121106083624/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/weather/hurricane/poststories/iniki.htm|archive-date=November 6, 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> According to Spielberg, "every single structure was in shambles; roofs and walls were torn away; telephone poles and trees were down as far as the eye could see." Spielberg included footage of Iniki battering the Kaua'i coastal walls as part of the completed film, where a tropical storm is a pivotal part of the plot. Members of the film's crew helped to clear some of the debris off of nearby roads.<ref name=jurassic />

=== Elsewhere ===
East of the hurricane's landfall, O{{okina}}ahu received tropical storm-force winds during Iniki's passage along its southwestern coast, with an island-wide peak gust of {{convert|82|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} in [[Waianae, Hawaii|Waianae]]. The outer rainbands of the hurricane spawned an [[Fujita scale|F1]] tornado in [[Nānākuli, Hawaii|Nānākuli]], also on O{{okina}}ahu. Along western Oahu, Iniki produced a {{convert|2|to|4|ft|m|abbr=on}} surge, with {{convert|17|ft|m|abbr=on}} waves recorded near [[Mākaha, Hawaii|Mākaha]].<ref name="report"/> Prolonged periods of high waves severely eroded and damaged the southwestern coast of O{{okina}}ahu, with the areas most affected being [[Barbers Point]] through [[Kaena Point|Ka{{okina}}ena]].<ref name="cphc"/> The Wai{{okina}}anae coastline experienced the most damage, with waves and storm surge flooding the second floor of beachside apartments.<ref name="oahu">{{cite web|author=Ron Hashiro|year=1993|title=Hurricane Iniki Rallies Amateurs|publisher=American Amateur Radio Relay League, Inc|access-date=March 13, 2006|url=http://www.qsl.net/ah6rh/am-radio/articles/iniki.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150802050400/http://www.qsl.net/ah6rh/am-radio/articles/iniki.html|archive-date=August 2, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> In all, Hurricane Iniki caused several million dollars in property damage,<ref name="assessment"/> and two deaths on O{{okina}}ahu.<ref name="cphc"/>

High swells affected the southwestern coasts of Maui and the Big Island, which damaged boats, harbors, and coastal structures.<ref name="report"/> On the Big Island, seas of {{convert|10|ft|m|abbr=on}} were reported, along with {{convert|40|mph|km/h|abbr=on|round=5}} winds.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/weather/hurricane/poststories/iniki.htm|author=Al Kamen|access-date=September 8, 2012|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|date=September 13, 1992|title=Hawaii Hurricane Devastates Kauai: Iniki Blamed For 3 Deaths, Scores of Injuries|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121106083624/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/weather/hurricane/poststories/iniki.htm|archive-date=November 6, 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> The high waves damaged 12&nbsp;homes on the Big Island.<ref name="usgs">{{cite report|title=Atlas of Natural Hazards in the Hawaiian Coastal Zone|year=2002|author1=[[Charles H. Fletcher III]]|author2=Eric E. Grossman |author3=Bruce M. Richmond|author4=Ann E. Gibbs|url=https://pubs.usgs.gov/imap/i2761/sections/1_Intro.pdf|publisher=United States Geologic Survey|pages=11–12}}</ref> In [[Honokohau Harbor|Honokōhau Harbor]], three or four sailboats were tossed onto the rocks and one trimaran at another harbor was sunk. A beach near [[Honaunau-Napoopoo|Napoʻopoʻo]] on [[Kealakekua Bay]] lost some sand and to this day has never been the same.<ref>{{cite web|title=Big Island Hawaii Beaches|url=http://www.bigisland-bigisland.com/big-island-hawaii-beaches.html|publisher=big-island-bigisland.com|access-date=September 8, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141028194240/http://www.bigisland-bigisland.com/big-island-hawaii-beaches.html|archive-date=October 28, 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Aftermath==
{{Most intense landfalling Pacific hurricanes}}
[[Image:Iniki Storm Surge.jpg|thumb|[[Storm surge]] from Iniki]]
Immediately after the storm, many were relieved to have survived the worst of the hurricane; their complacency turned to apprehensiveness due to lack of information, as every radio station was out and no news was available for several days. Because Iniki knocked out electrical power for most of the island, communities held parties to consume perishable food from unpowered refrigerators and freezers, and many hotels prepared and hosted free meals to use up their perishables. Though some food markets allowed those affected to take what they needed, many Kaua{{okina}}i citizens insisted on paying. In addition, entertainers from all of Hawai{{okina}}i, including [[Graham Nash]] (who owns a home on the north shore of Kauaʻi) and the [[Honolulu Symphony]], gave free concerts for the victims.<ref name="kauai"/>

Three days after Iniki struck Hawaii, the NOAA Assistant Administrator for Weather Services directed that a disaster survey team investigate the warnings and responsiveness to the hurricane.<ref name="report"/> The passages of Iwa and Iniki within a ten-year period increased public awareness of hurricanes in Hawaii.<ref name="usgs"/>

Looting occurred in Iniki's aftermath, but it was very minor. A group from the [[United States Army Corps of Engineers|Army Corps of Engineers]], who experienced the looting during Hurricane Andrew just weeks before, were surprised at the overall calmness and lack of violence on the island. Electrical power was restored to most of the island about six weeks after the hurricane, but students returned to Kaua{{okina}}i public schools two weeks after the disaster. Kaua{{okina}}i citizens remained hopeful for monetary aid from the government or insurance companies, but after six months they felt annoyed by the lack of help.<ref name="kauai"/> But the military effectively provided aid for their immediate needs, including MREs (meals ready to eat), and help arrived before local officials requested aid.<ref name="fema">{{cite web|author=J. Dexter Peach|year=1993|title=What Hurricane Andrew Tells Us About How To Fix FEMA|publisher=United States General Accounting Office|access-date=March 18, 2006|url=http://www.theinformationist.com/index/trifecta/comments/fema_andrew_katrina_gao/ |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20060708183409/http://www.theinformationist.com/index/trifecta/comments/fema_andrew_katrina_gao/ |archive-date = July 8, 2006}}</ref>

By four weeks after the hurricane, only 20% of power was restored on Kaua{{okina}}i, following the island-wide blackout.<ref name="cphc"/> [[Amateur radio emergency communications|Amateur radio]] proved extremely helpful during the three weeks after the storm, with volunteers coming from neighboring islands as well as from around the Pacific to assist in the recovery. There was support of local government communications in Lihue in the first week of recovery<ref name="oahu"/> as well as a hastily organized effort by local operators to assist with the [[American Red Cross]] and their efforts to provide shelters and disaster relief centers across Kauaʻi.<ref name="redcross">{{cite journal|author=Greg Pool|title=Iniki and the American Red Cross|journal=Worldradio|volume=22|issue=12|pages=1, 18–20|year=1993|access-date=December 17, 2007|url=http://homepage.mac.com/gpool/portfolio/writing/iniki.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050110125705/http://homepage.mac.com/gpool/portfolio/writing/iniki.html|archive-date=January 10, 2005}}</ref>

In the months after the storm, many insurance companies left Hawai{{okina}}i. To combat this, [[Governor of Hawaii|Governor]] [[John D. Waiheʻe III]] enacted the Hurricane Relief Fund in 1993 to help unprotected Hawai{{okina}}i residents. The fund was never needed for another Hawai{{okina}}i hurricane, and it was eliminated in 2000, when insurance companies returned to the island.<ref name="hawmoney">{{cite news|year=2001|title=State should keep hurricane fund intact for next disaster|publisher=Honolulu Star-Bulletin|access-date=March 18, 2006|url=http://starbulletin.com/2001/12/30/editorial/editorials.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050922074935/http://starbulletin.com/2001/12/30/editorial/editorials.html|archive-date=September 22, 2005|url-status=live}}</ref>

Iniki ravaged multiple islands' native forest bird population.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Hurricane Hell – Kauai Forest Bird Recovery Project |url=https://kauaiforestbirds.org/hurricane-hell/ |access-date=May 19, 2023 |website=kauaiforestbirds.org}}</ref> The last known [[Kauaʻi ʻōʻō]] (''Moho braccatus'') is believed to have been killed by Iniki and the death of this individual also marked the extinction of the entire [[Mohoidae]] family.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kauai Oo (Moho braccatus) - BirdLife species factsheet |url=https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/kauai-oo-moho-braccatus/text |access-date=2024-09-11 |website=datazone.birdlife.org}}</ref><ref>{{Citation |title=Recording Of The Last Kauai 'o'o Bird |url=https://archive.org/details/recording-of-the-last-kauai-oo-bird |access-date=2024-09-11}}</ref> It is also thought that the storm blew apart many [[chicken coop]]s, some possibly used to house fighting chickens; this caused a dramatic increase in feral chickens roaming Kaua{{okina}}i.<ref>{{cite news|year=2007|title=Something's killing off Kauai chickens|publisher=Honolulu Advertiser|access-date=October 2, 2007|url=http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2007/Aug/02/ln/hawaii708020317.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150607010802/http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2007/Aug/02/ln/hawaii708020317.html|archive-date=June 7, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>

Due to the storm's impact, the [[World Meteorological Organization]] [[List of retired Pacific hurricane names|retired]] the name ''Iniki'' after the 1992 season; it will never again be used for a Central Pacific tropical cyclone. It was replaced in the basin's naming rotation with ''Iolana''.<ref>{{cite web|access-date=March 28, 2024|title=Eastern North Pacific Tropical Cyclone Name History|publisher=Atlantic Tropical Weather Center|url=http://www.atwc.org/pachist.txt|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070929105925/http://www.atwc.org/pachist.txt|archive-date=September 29, 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Tropical cyclone names|url=https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/research/weather/tropical-cyclones/names|publisher=[[Met Office]]|location=Exeter, Devon, UK|access-date=March 28, 2024}}</ref>

==In popular culture==
The events and survivor accounts of the hurricane were featured in an episode of [[The Weather Channel]] [[television documentary|docuseries]] ''[[Storm Stories]]'', "Iniki Jurassic",<ref>{{cite episode|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aFSLeXYnAhA|title=Iniki Jurassic|series=Storm Stories|network=The Weather Channel|year=2009|access-date=May 21, 2021|via=YouTube}}</ref> the sixth episode of the [[GRB Studios|GRB Entertainment]] docuseries ''[[Earth's Fury]]'' (also known as ''Anatomy of Disaster'' outside the U.S.), "Hurricane Force",<ref>{{cite episode|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m5iOGbByhHY|title=Hurricane Force|series=Anatomy of Disaster|network=[[TLC (TV network)|The Learning Channel]]|season=1|number=6|year=1997|access-date=May 21, 2021|via=YouTube}}</ref> the fourth episode of the 2008 [[Discovery Channel]] reality television series ''[[Destroyed in Seconds]]'',<ref>{{cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MY4pzeO-7XU|title=Hurricane Slams Hawaii|publisher=Discovery Channel|year=2008|access-date=May 21, 2021|via=YouTube}}</ref> the 1996 [[Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox]] television special ''When Disasters Strike'', and the 11th episode of the 1999 reality television series ''[[World's Most Amazing Videos]]''.<ref>{{cite episode|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mmh5hxY8CA0|title=Episode 11|series=World's Most Amazing Videos|network=[[NBC]]|season=1|number=11|year=1999|access-date=May 21, 2021|via=YouTube}}</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|Tropical cyclones|Hawaii}}
* [[Tropical cyclones in 1992]]
* [[List of Category 4 Pacific hurricanes]]
* [[List of Hawaii hurricanes|List of Hawai'i hurricanes]]
* [[List of Pacific hurricanes]]
* [[List of retired Pacific hurricane names]]
* [[Typhoon Higos (2002)]] &ndash; a storm that took a very similar trajectory to that of Iniki, albeit thousands of miles west of Hawaii, becoming one of the strongest typhoons to strike [[Tokyo]]
* [[Hurricane Lane (2018)]] &ndash; another powerful storm that threatened to strike Hawaii as a strong hurricane, but instead turned westward out to sea, bringing record amounts of rainfall to the islands
* [[Hurricane Walaka]] (2018) &ndash; took a similar track, making a 90° northward turn under the influence of an upper level [[Trough (meteorology)|trough]], but stayed to the west of the main Hawaiian islands
{{Clear}}

==Notes==
{{reflist|group=nb}}

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* [http://www.prh.noaa.gov/cphc/summaries/1992.php#Iniki Central Pacific Hurricane Center: Hurricane Iniki]
* [http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/epacific/ep1992/td18e/ NHC 18-E archive]

{{Category 4 Pacific hurricanes}}
{{Retired Pacific hurricanes}}
{{1992 Pacific hurricane season buttons}}
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{{Featured article}}

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[[Category:1992 Pacific hurricane season]]
[[Category:Category 4 Pacific hurricanes]]
[[Category:Hurricanes in Hawaii]]
[[Category:Retired Pacific hurricanes]]
[[Category:1992 natural disasters in the United States]]
[[Category:1992 in Hawaii]]