Paradise Washed

Water and debris from a dam that collapsed the day before cover a road Wednesday, March 15, 2006, in Kilauea, Hawaii. A break in the century-old earthen dam released a roaring, tree-snapping torrent of water and raised fears about the safety of dozens of similar dams across Hawaii.

A road crew member stands on the main highway along Kauai's north shore Wednesday, March 15, 2005, in Kilauea, Hawaii, after it was damaged and closed Tuesday, following flooding from a burst earthen dam at Kaloko Reservoir.

Hawaii Gov. Linda Lingle, right, surveys the damage to Kuhio Highway where a flash flood caused by a burst dam flowed, near Kilauea, Hawaii, Wednesday, March 15, 2006. Searchers with dogs looked for bodies in the mud and debris Wednesday after a break in the century-old earthen dam released a roaring, tree-snapping torrent of water and raised fears about the safety of dozens of similar dams across Hawaii.

The Kaloko Reservoir earthen dam is shown after it burst on Kauai near Kilauea, Hawaii, Tuesday, March 14, 2006, sending a 50-foot wave into the Pacific Ocean, sweeping away at least two houses, washing out the only road along the island's north shore and flooding farm land.

Destruction caused by the Kaloko Reservoir earthen dam bursting on Kauai near Kilauea, Hawaii, is shown Tuesday, March 14, 2006. The burst sent a 50-foot wave into the Pacific Ocean, sweeping away at least two houses, washing out the only road along the island's north shore and flooding farm land.

Damage caused by the dam that burst is shown near Kilauea, Hawaii, Tuesday, March 14, 2006. An earthen dam burst on the island of Kauai on Tuesday, sweeping away at least two houses and washing out the only road along the island's north shore.

One tree stands alone among the debris and water from the broken Kaloko dam on the Hawaiian island of Kauai on Tuesday, March 14, 2006. Behind is the Morita Reservoir, which was also threatening communities. Two houses were swept away.

A view of Morita Reservoir, Tuesday, March 14, 2006, in image provided by the Kauai county government. An earthen dam burst, sending a 50-foot wave into the Pacific Ocean, sweeping away at least two houses and washing out the only road along the island's north shore. Authorities tried to drain the Morita reservoir to relieve the pressure on that dam.

A section of Wailapa Stream is shown Tuesday, March 14, 2006, near Kilauea, Hawaii. Floodwaters jumped the once-vegetated ridge in center of picture and ripped off its vegetation as an earthen dam on the island of Kauai burst without warning.

A crushed van is parked in Waianae, Hawaii, Monday, March 13, 2006. Emergency crews were replacing 12 utility poles along the Waianae Coast's main highway after strong winds following heavy rains knocked them down on Sunday, smashing 17 cars and injuring two people.

Three friends bodyboard in a culvert off Pauahi St. in Hilo, Hawaii, on Friday, March 10, 2006. A collision of a low-pressure system northwest of Hawaii and a high-pressure system east of the islands dumped heavy rains in Hilo.