75 years ago, the most destructive tsunami in Hawaiiâs modern history devastated Hilo Seventy-five years ago, on April Foolsâ Day 1946, the most destructive tsunami in Hawaiiâs modern history barreled onto island shorelines. By HNN Staff | April 1, 2021 at 11:24 AM HST - Updated April 1 at 11:25 AM
HILO, BIG ISLAND (HawaiiNewsNow) - Seventy-five years ago, on April Foolsâ Day 1946, the most destructive tsunami in Hawaiiâs modern history barreled onto island shorelines.
The first waves hit Hawaii Island as the day was just beginning: People were headed to work and to school. And nobody knew what was coming.
By the time the waves had receded, 159 people were dead; homes, businesses and roads were destroyed; and there was a new appreciation for the sheer force of tsunami.