1871 Hurricane Path

UH News: Hawaiian-language newspapers illuminate 1871 hurricane

An article in the UH news discusses how the translation of Hawaiian language newspapers led to new information on a major hurricane that impacted the islands in 1871.

Here’s an excerpt from the article:

“A major hurricane struck the islands of Hawai‘i and Maui on August 9, 1871, and wrought widespread destruction from Hilo to Lahaina. A recent study by two scientists, a Hawaiian language expert, and an educator from the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa revealed how historical Hawaiian-language newspapers expand knowledge of this and other natural disasters of the past. The storm of 1871 was known from ship logs and English newspaper accounts, but the Hawaiian-language newspapers added significant new information allowing the team to document the intensity and track of the storm for the first time.”

To read the rest of the article, click here.

To read the American Meteorological Society journal paper, click here.