Hawaii Historical Tsunami Photo Project - Oahu

    1957 Aleutian Islands tsunami hitting Kailua Bay, O'ahu (Mokapu Pt, Kāne'ohe MCAS in back), NOAA

PRESERVING O‘AHU HISTORICAL TSUNAMI PHOTOS

The Honolulu Department of Emergency Management (DEM),
NOAA International Tsunami Information Center (ITIC), and Hawai‘i State Public Library (HSPL) are partnering to identify preserve, and archive historic tsunami images. These photos and their stories are an important but perishable part of our tsunami history and heritage.  

There are many tsunami images held within the collections within NOAA's Historical Tsunami database (Historical Tsunami Photos - Hawaii (view by Album (individual events) or Collection (event or island), email tsunamiphotos@noaa.gov ), as well as to request full-size images) at the Bishop Museum, Hawaii State Archives, and Pacific Tsunami Museum in Hilo, Hawaii.

Now, we are looking to archive images that may be in grandma’s photo album, or on a wall in a living room!  

  1957 Aleutian Islands tsunami, Waimea Bay, O'ahu 

If you would like to contribute images and stories of historical interest to the O‘ahu Historical Tsunami Photos Project, please them to a participating library. DEM and ITIC staff will scan and catalogue the images.

Liliha Public Library                        Thursday, April, 27, 2017    12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
‘Āina Haina Public Library                Friday, May 12, 2017         12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Wai‘anae Public Library                   Thursday, May 25, 2017     12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Wahiawā Public Library                   Friday, May 26, 2017          12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Kahuku Public School and Library    Tuesday, June 20, 2017        3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

The Hawai‘i State Public Library System is an important information resource for communities, and this effort will serve to collect and make available these critical pieces of Hawai‘i history through the library system so they’re not lost. Each of the participating libraries will also have additional tsunami public education materials available, and the collected photos and information will be available through the library system.

Or, you may also contribute them online, please click

Submit Historical Tsunami Photo online

 
                              1946 Aleutian Islands tsunami, Kawailoa, Ala Wai Canal, O'ahu, Hawai'i State Archives

For more information,
Preserving O‘ahu Historical Tsunami Photos Project, flyer (PDF)

Media Coverage - Press Conference , April 26, 2017
Press Release, City & County of Honolulu (PDF)
KHON-TV online, Family photos of tsunami damage, impacts wanted for Oahu archive
Honolulu DEM Facebook, photos, https://www.facebook.com/OahuDEM/posts/1342469609167438 
ITIC Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/US.NOAA.ITIC.gov