Mrs. Charles A. Rice had one of the very narrow escapes in the disaster. Mrs. Rice had been awakened by her young son about six o’clock and had prepared his bottle. Mr. Rice who had arisen earlier stopped in on
Mrs. Charles A. Rice had one of the very narrow escapes in the disaster. Mrs. Rice had been awakened by her young son about six o’clock and had prepared his bottle. Mr. Rice who had arisen earlier stopped in on his family in their bedroom before leaving for Kipu, shortly afterwards. Mrs. Rice stated that some steers in a nearby pasture and the family chickens seemed very noisy and restless and prevented her from going back to sleep.
Memory Not Too Clear
Her recollection of what followed is not too clear she states. She remembers being warned of the danger of the tidal wave by her yard man Charles Hada who was a victim of the disaster. When the second wave hit, the house buckled under the blow. She recalls that her son’s crib was partially crushed by the impact and she was forced to pull it apart to release her child. How she escaped from the house she does not know. She recalls that she was forced to swim at one time with her child and she remembers placing him on a floating tree trunk at one time for buoyancy. She also remembers clinging to a tree with her child. She finally managed to make her way to the bank of the small stream on the Nawiliwili side of her home as the water receded. Here the waters were racing out to sea at such a speed that she knew that she could not cross them.
Neighbors Come To Aid
At this point two neighbors John Aiu and Archie Tanabe who had been driven from their home when it collapsed under the wall of water came to her aid. Aiu plunged into the stream and narrowly escaped being carried out into the bay. He managed to cling to a palm branch and pull himself to safety. Tanabe made his way across the stream without too much difficulty. One of the men took the child from Mrs. Rice and the group made their way mauka along the bank until they reached a spot where they could wade across safely.
Mrs. Rice is now in Wilcox hospital in a state of collapse as the result of her harrowing experience. Her child is with her.
Yardman Loses Life
It is believed that Charles Hada the yard man lost his life in attempting to go to Mrs. Rice’s aid. He had seen his own family to safety on the cliff adjoining his home.
Just what happened afterwards is not clear. However the Rice family car was later washed up against the cliff behind the house. The ignition was still on when the car was found. It is believed that Mr. Hada planned to use the car to evacuate Mrs. Rice and her child and was caught by the second wave.
When his body was found, it was badly bruised and crushed, indicating that he had been struck by heavy debris or against a tree.
Mr. Hada is survived by his wife and three small children, as well as by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Yasutaro Hada of Kipu and several brothers and sister. His sister Marjorie is a WAC.
All dwellings and buildings on the premises at Kalipaki were completely demolished and Mr. and Mrs. Rice escaped only with the clothing they wore.
Freak Salvage
The only articles they were able to salvage from the disaster were Mrs. Rice’s jewels. After the waters had receded Mr. Rice located a portion of Mrs. Rice’s dresser and in a locked drawer were the greater part of her jewelry.
Mr. Rice is now staying at the home of his daughter Mrs. Juliet Wichman. He states that Hector J. Moir of Koloa is the only man on the island who has any clothes that will fit him, and he has already put in his requisition for supplies.
