On April 14-15, 2018, a rain gauge on the west side of Hanalei on the island of Kauai recorded 49.69 inches of rain in 24 hours, a U.S. record. The 2018 Hawaii Floods were the most intense rainfall in American history by 24-hour rain total, and parts of the north shore of Kauai were inundated with water. The Hanalei River leapt from its banks and poured into the town, causing damage that would take months to repair. The Kalalau Trail on the island's Napali Coast was destroyed by the event and wouldn't re-open for over a year. Ultimately, the storm would cause over $125 million in damage to Kauai, and is cited as the worst disaster to strike the island since Hurricane Iniki.
My wife and I were positioned in Princeville, on the bluff overlooking Hanalei awaiting the start of our backpack trip on the Kalalau trail when we were swallowed by the rainstorm. What we experienced those two days was nothing short of incredible. This video documents our story from that day.
