Post Tsunami

I finally went to bed about 1am early Saturday morning. I sat my alarm for 5am and around 4am got a voice mail from a church member. When I got up and saw my neighbor across the street loading up his car and truck, I knew it was time. The street behind us is the last street on the tsunami zone map (this is good for ins. purposes= no tsunami ins, but really is the water going to stop there?).

Most of my street were up and out and some neighbors were already leaving by 6am. I had talked to Terry on the phone (he was still on the mainland, supposed to come home last night) and told him what was going on. We both agreed it was better to leave. I had already packed a small bag, gotten our emergency packet with information, my computer, a 72 kit and water bottles in the car. One neighbor helped me load it up.

I had a little over a tank of gas, but thought I'd fill up just to make sure in case the electricity went out. The Waialua gas station already had a line about 25 cars long and at 7/11 the line was all the way to Weed Circle. So I just thought I'd wait until I got farther away. My plan was to meet up with some church members in Wahiawa. I was on the phone with Terry, the kids, church people...kids couldn't get through on the house line, and the cells were also getting jammed with so many calls. Texting seemed to be the best.

As I drove out of Waialua/Haleiwa I snapped a few pictures with my phone:

Weed Circle was filling up with the C&C trucks, and boats that had been moved there for higher ground.

boats moved from the harbor to higher ground

Cars lined up Kam Hiway towards Wahiawa at 6:30am.

I was amazed at how it seemed like everyone (well most everyone) was taking this very, very seriously. The sirens had been going off since 6am and every hour past that...as it got closer to the time, it was about every half hour. ALL state highways were closed at 10:00am.

I drove to Wahiawa and couldn't find my friends at Tamuras...it was crazy. My good Gloria had texted me and said that they were home and to come down there. I wasn't sure about going to the Stake Center in Mililani, but that's actually where I should have gone first. It all turned out for the best.

We were glued to the TV. It was the most amazing thing. I guess most people have watched the live feeds on the Internet and seen how people actually followed directions! The streets really were deserted. I know that most of that was because all of the roads were closed, but still amazing to see. Watching the live shots of Coconut Island in Hilo was amazing.

All of Haleiwa town was closed down. Our bakery stayed open until they sold out and the market continued to be open. That far up the street is pretty safe. All of the malls, except Pearlridge were closed. The only Costco that stayed open was the one on our side, Waipio. They were letting members and non-members inside at 7am.

Someone asked me why were we filling up our gas tanks, buying supplies, etc. One thing that we've learned since living here is that the power can go out very easily. We were w/0 power for three days a couple of years ago, so we learned our lesson then.

So glad that I was able to return to our little house. I really appreciate that so many people took the time to text and call me. Even when the land-lines didn't work from the overload, the Internet was still up! Gotta love technology. At one point we heard on the news that Hawaiian Airlines was offering to change tickets for yesterday at no cost. I called him and he changed his ticket to today. We were worried that if something had happened, the plane wouldn't have been able to land on the reef runway.

We considered this a sort-of drill. I was glad that hubby and I had a plan and even with him not being here, I still was able to do it. Would I do anything different? No, not really, except go to the Stake Center.

Mahalo again for all the thoughts and prayers.

Tsunami Warning

It's now 12:30am. I'm still up waiting to see what the update is on the huge earthquake in Chile. Hawaii right now is under a "Tsunami Advisory". This means a wait-and-see mode. They are monitoring the deep ocean bouys. If there is a tsunami, it wouldn't hit us until about 11:30 tomorrow.

We're far enough back away from the ocean, so I'm not too worried. I've read the evacuation map and brought in my emergency kit. So I'm ready.

We've learned it's better to be prepared than not.

Westside

Since I wrote this, I've really been trying to branch out a little bit more on our island. Let's face it...it's an island! Not a really big one either. Not like the Big Island, where it takes maybe two days to drive around. On Oahu, especially the North Shore, we can get to the other sides in 30-45 minutes (no traffic of course).


Anyway, a few weeks ago when hubby and I went to the Westside to watch "Buffalo's Big Board Contest", we were both amazed at how different it is over there. We hadn't been over that way for such a long time, so it was a real treat.

View along Kunia Road, after passing through the old pineapple fields

View of Diamond Head across Waipahu



Lots of planes making the turn at Barbers Point

Maili Beach Park...so beautiful

It was so green over there! Won't be like this in a few months!

We thought this was part of the whole satellite station that can be seen from our side

Yokohama Bay and the end of Farrington Hiway

So, after all of the homeless left Maili Beach Park they came to the end of Farrington Hiway. There had been several community groups in the area picking up all the rubbish, that's why there are so many bags, the trucks hadn't been along to pick it up yet.Disney Company is building a resort at Ko'Olina. It's going to have a "Hawaiian"theme. Can't wait! You can already get an idea of the whole entrance.




Final view of Diamond Head before getting on Kunia Road. The water in the foreground is actually the backside of Pearl Harbor.

Love the Westside!

I was thinking about this as I was sitting here typing. That half hour drive can take you some place so different, it's amazing. Hummm, maybe that should be another post, "30 minutes from my front door".

The Black Pearl

Last week I read in the paper that the ship used in "Pirates of the Caribbean" the "Black Pearl" had been brought to Hawaii. They are going to start filming the next film in the series here within a few months. Since I was going to Target on that side, I decided to see if I could find where they had it moored.

It was funny because a couple of places where I thought it could be, I also kept seeing the same people, doing the same thing I was. When I actually thought about it...it was really easy to find it. Surprised to see how many other people were also there taking pictures.

It's moored down at Kalaeloa, close to Barbers Point. Barbers Point is where the planes make the BIG right turn in their approach to the airport. In this picture, in the background you can see the condos out at Ko'Olina and their boat harbor.

It's actually not that big, I was surprised. It came all this way under it's own power. I'm pretty sure it sailed across.

a close up of the stern (I think that's what it's called)

It really had a pirate flag on it. Also said that it came from Long Beach, CA

some of the people that came out to get a picture. This might have been one of the highlights of their whole vacation!

Pretty Cool!

Oh Canada!

In the 43 years I've known my hubby, I have to admit that I've never seen him so proud to be Canadian. A lot of people don't know that he's Canadian. He was born in Vancouver and became a naturalized citizen of the US. Vancouver is such a beautiful city and it's been fun seeing it's beauty every night. Do my kids realize that they're half Canadian?

I do remember what my MIL told me when I asked her why they left such a beautiful city..."the winter". Enough said

Happy Malasada Day!

Here in Hawaii, Fat Tuesday (not sure exactly what THAT is) is called

Malasada Day

If you've been to our house, you know that we live down the street from a very small, very local bakery.

Today when I left for school, the line was out the door

People leaving with the traditional white boxes filled with the yummy treats.

Malasadas are a Portuguese donut. Our bakery makes them the traditional way, NO FILLINGS

Most people who visit Oahu buy their malasadas from Leonard's (we did for years) near Waikiki.

After eating the ones from our local bakery, the ones from town can't compare.

Not cooked too fast, not too much sugar, takes more than just two bites to eat them. YUM

so from us here in Hawaii...

HAPPY MALASADA DAY!

Buffalo's Big Board Contest

Yesterday Hubby and I took a drive over to the westside to watch "Buffalos Big Board Contest". This contest has been going on for 30+ years. It's a real local, family event. It's actually over two weekends, so this was the first day and they were doing all the body boarding events. It was such a beautiful day. Sun, waves, mellow...perfect! the narrow two-lane Makaha road...both sides lined up with wall-to-wall cars

1 adult and 1 child on the same HUGE boogie board


the canoe stuff will probably be next weekend, too bad we missed it

beautiful Makaha