West Hawai‘i Earthquake Damages Historic Buildings

Damage to historic buildings and archeological sites in West Hawai‘i are being reported after Sunday's earthquakes.
The U.S. Geological Survey reported that the first earthquake, which had a 6.7 magnitude, struck at 7:07 a.m. Sunday and was centered 24 miles below Kiholo Bay. A second quake hit at 7:14 a.m. about 13 miles northwest of Kawaihae at a depth of 12 miles.
The Big Island has had 68 aftershocks of magnitudes of 2.0 or greater in the past 24 hours. Most of them were centered off shore.

The earthquake did not cause death or injury, but Big Island residents have reported damage to several historic buildings and archeological sites.
Initial reports have not been verified through site assessment, but include:

• Hulihe'e Palace in Kailua has cracks and ceiling collapse; Great Wall of Kuakini Wall in Kailua was heavily damaged and near collapse;
• Sugar Mill Stack in Kohala collapsed;
• Pu'ukohala Heiau National Historic Park in Kawaihae had damage to the heiau walls and the terraces on all sides;
• John Young Homestead lost the east wall and the entry;
• Mailekini Heiau lost walls on the north, east and center.
• Older churches in Kohala and Waimea show cracks in walls and ceilings;
• Greenwell Store had minor damage.

To report damage to historic structures, please email preservation@historichawaii.org We will provide the information to State Historic Preservation Division staff on the ground to help with their assessments.

Historic Hawaii Foundation is consulting with the National Trust for Historic Preservation, State Historic Preservation Division and National Park Service on working with property owners on assessing and saving historic structures. If you are interested in participating in this effort, please email preservation@historichawaii.org or call the office at 808-523-2900.