West Oahu residents recovering from storm damage
Hawaii's Leeward coast is digging out after a storm battered homes and knocked out power, leaving residents facing flooded units and costly repairs.
- Huge waves from Monday's swells smashed through sliding glass doors and flooded first-floor units with sand, rocks, and coral.
- Steel retaining walls that had stood since the 1960s snapped, including boards replaced just two years ago.
- Some buildings still have no power, running generators that only keep elevators and water going.
- Many of the hardest-hit residents are elderly and cannot do the cleanup themselves.
- Neighbors, staff, and volunteers are bringing hot meals and boarding up broken windows.
Outlook: Cleanup and repairs will stretch on for weeks, with flooring and power restoration the main hurdles.