At 8pm, I got news from a friend that an 8.4 earthquake shook Japan and we were on a tsunami watch. Shortly after, we were then put on a tsunami warning with the likely possibility of a wave hitting. At around 9pm, the tsunami sirens went off. The piercing ring can make the hair on your neck stand straight up and your eardrums hum for hours.
I packed up an emergency bag and Munson (as Tommy was at work down south in safe grounds) and headed up the mountain to stay with friends. We sat on the deck all night listening to the surf get bigger and louder and the sirens going off every hour.
When we awoke in the morning, after maybe 30 minutes of sleep, we had no idea how bad the damage was. Streets were blocked off and schools and businesses were closed but we had no idea what was in store for Kona town.
Alii Drive, the main road here in Kailua-Kona was hit the hardest. This 4.5 mile stretch borders the ocean and is full of bars, restaurants and touristy shops. At the far end, is the pier and a hotel which was completely under water. Canoes that are held at the pier were found in trees, across the street, and out at sea. Hotel lobbies were flooded and debris was found all over town.
Surges continued throughout the day but settled by evening with a spectacular sunset. Calm AFTER the storm, I suppose.
Water and debris covered Kona, but fortunately stopped 1 block away from our house. Luck isn't the word to use in this situation....
On Saturday, I headed North to do some beach cleanup at my new job at one of the resorts. Furniture, debris, fish, trash, etc. covered the grounds. Canoes again, were found split in trees and materials across the complex. It will take days, if not weeks to rebuild.
Going through this was one of the scariest things I've ever been through. When I was packing up our emergency bag I was scrambling throughout the house trying to choose our most valued possessions. In that moment, nothing mattered. No clothes, books, surfboards, or even pictures mattered...only our loved ones.
We, and Hawaii, are fortunate that nobody was hurt. Buildings were ruined, businesses destroyed, property damaged, but nobody was hurt.
Kona is now focused on cleanup and rebuilding. Streets are still blocked off and beaches are still closed. However, through all of this, the Aloha feeling is even more prevalent. People are eager to help others and volunteer where needed. Now, Ohana means more than just family.
Living in the islands is wonderful. The sun, the ocean, the people. But even paradise, has a price.
Life in Hawaii will continue. We and everyone will get through this and life will get back to normal. We are grateful for our loved ones and everyones thoughts and prayers across the mainland. Thank you for your concern and know that we are safe and sound. Just another adventure in our Hawaiian story.
