At last it happened. Our long planned trip to Kauai, HI went smoothly enough as we flew from SLC to LAX and then to Lihue. From there it got a little shaky with a long line at Alamo rental car. But we got a Mustang convertable, and life was good. We drove up to our hotel, a one bedroom apartment in Kapaa, got unpacked, went to the grocery store for provisions, and got ready for a quiet week of relaxation.
By 9pm we were set, when I logged into the Internet to get an update on the weather forcast. It was about the same, 30% chance of showers. But there was a red flag across the top TSUNAMI WATCH. What the heck? Things changed in a hurry as we watched on tv about the earthquake in Japan and the big waves headed our way, expected to arrive just after 3am. At about 11pm they changed it from a watch to TSUNAMI WARNING, which translates into mandatory evacuation.
We were very tired, but somehow the thought of waking up to the ocean crashing through the patio door was unappealing. So we talked to the front desk clerk and she told us to go up to Kapaa elementary school. Even though it was late, and still, we quitely and quickly repacked our luggage and took most of our food and headed for the hills. Soon, we realized that the directions were easy to forget, but thank goodness I had our GPS unit and Tom Tom came to the rescue.
The school was closed, but some people were already there. We found a good parking space and waited. Eventually I realized I either needed to find a restroom or a bush. Thank goodness for the school staff who arrived to open up the restrooms. A little later they also opened up the big cafeteria building and set up a tv on local news. For the rest of the night we slumbered in our car with ocassional visits to tv and restroom. The spirit was one of a lot of good people who were sharing a scary experience, but grateful we were in a safe place. 3am came and went with no big wave.
The tv guys with their web cams on Hanalei main street were finding it a little awkward and the authorities were not talking. Still we all kept waiting and then heard there was some wave action and damage on other islands. We waited and waited as sunlight came up and now we were all feeling anxious to get back to our hotels. But they kept the roads closed until about 7:30am.
Then, as quitetly and peacefully as it started, we all left the schools and started our first day in Hawaii. Later, on Saturday morning we went for a walk to see the sunrise over the ocean (it is across an open field from our hotel). It was beautiful, but we could also see several places where the ocean surge had come up over into the edge of the field, leaving a ring of driftwood scraps and a reminder to us of how close the tsunami had come.
By 9pm we were set, when I logged into the Internet to get an update on the weather forcast. It was about the same, 30% chance of showers. But there was a red flag across the top TSUNAMI WATCH. What the heck? Things changed in a hurry as we watched on tv about the earthquake in Japan and the big waves headed our way, expected to arrive just after 3am. At about 11pm they changed it from a watch to TSUNAMI WARNING, which translates into mandatory evacuation.
We were very tired, but somehow the thought of waking up to the ocean crashing through the patio door was unappealing. So we talked to the front desk clerk and she told us to go up to Kapaa elementary school. Even though it was late, and still, we quitely and quickly repacked our luggage and took most of our food and headed for the hills. Soon, we realized that the directions were easy to forget, but thank goodness I had our GPS unit and Tom Tom came to the rescue.
The school was closed, but some people were already there. We found a good parking space and waited. Eventually I realized I either needed to find a restroom or a bush. Thank goodness for the school staff who arrived to open up the restrooms. A little later they also opened up the big cafeteria building and set up a tv on local news. For the rest of the night we slumbered in our car with ocassional visits to tv and restroom. The spirit was one of a lot of good people who were sharing a scary experience, but grateful we were in a safe place. 3am came and went with no big wave.
The tv guys with their web cams on Hanalei main street were finding it a little awkward and the authorities were not talking. Still we all kept waiting and then heard there was some wave action and damage on other islands. We waited and waited as sunlight came up and now we were all feeling anxious to get back to our hotels. But they kept the roads closed until about 7:30am.
Then, as quitetly and peacefully as it started, we all left the schools and started our first day in Hawaii. Later, on Saturday morning we went for a walk to see the sunrise over the ocean (it is across an open field from our hotel). It was beautiful, but we could also see several places where the ocean surge had come up over into the edge of the field, leaving a ring of driftwood scraps and a reminder to us of how close the tsunami had come.
Like everyone all over the world we are in prayers for those in Japan who have lost so much, and will struggle for a long time to overcome their tragedy. Still, we are also greatful for our blessings, and the messages of comfort, love and support we received while we were refugess for a night in Kapaa, HI.
Good post Dad! I've got to ask, where did you come up with the name for your blog? It's pretty clever. Leana, Aleks, Valentina, and I had a very nice walk up to your place and hung out there for awhile. We watched part of that Third Reich documentary that you had on the DVR, and it was very interesting. Surprisingly, even after all the time alone, Piggy was very sociable, and only came down from her perch to accept some treats and fresh water.
ReplyDeleteI hope you keep posting on here! That one post on your old blog looks very lonely.
I didn't know you were in Hawaii. Praise God your island didn't get hit any harder from the tsunami. What a memorable experience! Terry and Carol went through that hurricane a few years back in Mexico. We just never know what each day will bring, but we do know that God is orchestrating our every breath. You'd think, with so much happening around us, we'd be in a perpectual state of "realizing how blessed we are" and "not taking anything for granted". However, speaking for myself, I seem to drop back into status-quo way too quickly. I am so thankful for my wonderful family and the comfort and incredible love that God dispenses through us to each other. Luv u guys - have fun! Pam & Tom
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