Two funnel clouds twist off O'ahu

By Curtis Lum
Advertiser Staff Writer

Two potentially dangerous funnel clouds were spotted off O'ahu yesterday.

The first was reported east of the Honolulu International Airport at 11:15 a.m. and lasted about six minutes. The second was observed off 'Aina Haina by a National Weather Service spotter at about 1:30 p.m.

Both of the twisters were no more than five miles offshore and were headed toward land, said National Weather Service lead forecaster Hans Rosendal.

"They were blowing toward land but they dissipated," Rosendal said. "A lot of those features are very transient and last for maybe two to three minutes and dissipate."

Funnel clouds can occur over land or sea and are similar to tornadoes, except funnel clouds don't touch the ground. Waterspouts are funnel clouds that form over the ocean and reach the surface.

Rosendal said conditions today may be favorable for more funnel clouds.

"The real powerful ones usually have thunderstorms involved. (Yesterday) was just run-of-the-mill showers. (Today) we might have more substantial ones."

Funnel clouds occur between five and 10 times a year around Hawai'i, but rarely do they reach land. When they do, they can cause serious damage.

On Jan. 28, 1971, a waterspout roared ashore at the Kailua Pier on the Big Island and caused millions of dollars in damage. The tornado destroyed several structures and damaged a hotel that was under construction.

Also on the Big Island, a waterspout came ashore at Honomalino on Dec. 24, 1996, and destroyed a MacFarms employee home. No one was injured in either incident.