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Figure 2-2 – Track of Hurricane Estelle from origination as a tropical storm in the east Pacific to the formation of a hurricane and passage south of Hawaii County as a category 1 hurricane (Graphic from Wikipedia). The second major point in this section is that the low elevation created by episodic or continuous subsidence makes the coastal area in Kapoho very susceptible to flooding and wave action, from even minor systems. This was an observation made from the two formal field trips made to the site. On August 17, 2005 and July 10, 2006, the two high tides were roughly equal (see Chapter 3). However the increased inundation for the later date is attributed primarily to the stronger winds, wind and wave setup, and wave action. A strong system such as a hurricane would have an even greater impact. Hurricane Estelle is again used to illustrate the point about the areas susceptibility to wind and wave setup, as well as storm events. From available reports regarding Hurricane Estelle, major damage in Hawaii occurred at the Vacationland area. The high waves washed away 5 beachfront homes and severely damaged dozens of others. According to records at the Hawaii County Planning Department, 18 houses suffered minor damage that totaled $42,500. In addition, 12 houses had major damage that totaled $194,000 and 7 houses were completely destroyed with an estimated property damage of $160,883. Another indication of the susceptibility of this area to wave and wind events 6 was indicated in an interview with local resident Eric Schott. When tropical storm Daniel went by the Hawaiian Islands on July 28, 2006, the apparent water level at Kapoho was much higher than the highest tides that he had seen. On the road, the water may have been a foot higher, even though the high tide was only 2.5 feet as indicated by the Old Farmers Almanac and the NOAA tide charts. Mr. Schott did 6 Interview on August 2, 2006 with Eric Schott, homeowner at Kapoho Vacationland Subdivision. 12