HONOLULU – Twenty years ago tomorrow, Hurricane Iniki devastated Kauai and caused significant damage to Oahu’s Waianae coast, becoming the most powerful hurricane to strike Hawaii in the state’s recorded history. Today, U.S. Democratic Senate nominee Mazie Hirono encouraged her supporters to remember the tragic event by joining her in making a contribution to the American Red Cross.

In an email sent to thousands of supporters, Hirono wrote, “In the wake of the devastation, Kauai residents and officials worked together to rebuild from the Iniki’s destruction, and today the island is better prepared and more sustainable if a hurricane were to ever strike again. None of this, though, would have been possible without the help of the Red Cross.”

On September 11, 1992, Hurricane Iniki struck Kauai as a Category 4 hurricane, tragically killing six people and causing more than $1.6 billion in damage.  To this day, it remains one of the most devastating storms on the record in the eastern Pacific.  Kauai has since rebuilt its communities and become a more sustainable island with a thriving economy.

In the email sent out today, Hirono wrote, “Today, we remember the lives lost, those injured, and the thousands that were left homeless – and rededicate ourselves to doing everything we can to prepare for the next natural disaster, even while we hope it will never come. To commemorate Hurricane Iniki's twentieth anniversary, please join me in making a small donation to the American Red Cross.”

Hirono encourages all residents of Hawaii to donate to the Red Cross, which can be easily done by calling (808) 739-8109, texting “REDCROSS” to 90999 to make a $10 donation, or by going online to http://www.hawaiiredcross.org/donate/donation.html.

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