In The Path Of A Tsunami....Big Island, Hawaii, 022710

Many thanks to my concerned BraveHeart friends who contacted me this weekend!

On Saturday, shortly after getting up, I heard the familiar sound of the Civil Defense Alarm system. It is familiar because it is tested the first day of each month, making it's unmistakable call at noon on that day.

My first reaction was " Is this the first?" Then I remembered the news of the earthquake that rocked Chile the previous night. I had experienced a Tsunami warning once before - in 94 while I was a visitor to Hawaii - so the pieces came together in my sleepy brain very quickly. I tuned into the TV coverage to get the details.

Tsunamis are so very dangerous because they are very much more than a big wave. They are a tidal wall, extending hundreds of miles, with the potential of incredible damage. It is very difficult to predict their size while they are out at sea. Landfall is needed to calibrate their height and intensity. We all remember the Christmas Day Tsunami in Thailand, and the stories of what happened there. Knowing we were in the path of this force of nature put the Hawaiian Island authorities on High Alert.

I was extremely impressed by how it was handled. I have strong confidence in our disaster readiness, and this event has made it even stronger. The state authorities conducted a calm and efficient evacuation of the areas at risk, and did a magnificent job of keeping us informed.

My local community - and all Hawaii, displayed that essence which is the Aloha spirit. Stores opened hours early so we all could stock up of water and food and generators and toilet paper, and ...yes... spam and rice! Everyone calmly took care of business and complied with the request to stay away from the beaches. The line at my local gas station was longer than I had ever seen it. People waited patiently, and respected the needs of others. They took to heart the requests to buy what they thought their family required for 7days leave ample for their neighbors.

People pulled together. It was an amazing energy to participate in.

As it played out, we got a very dramatic display of the force of nature. The Whales that characteristically frolic in these waters at this time, wanted no part of this wave, and headed far out with great speed.

The cameras on Hilo Bay showed us the impact of the Tsunami "inhale" and "exhale" as vast expanses of reef were exposed,and then, momentarily covered. The color of the water showed us how rapidly the depth was changing, It was quite a show, and it had the potential of becoming a real time view of very extensive damage as everything below sea level flooded while the water took it's course. I was positioned at an altitude of 3000 feet, so I was high and dry. I was also in the middle of the Pacific ocean, and the power company, the docks, the phone service, and lots of everyday requirement for existence here were at serious risk.
To say I experienced a renewed respect for the power of nature is an understatement!

Happily, the "bullet was dodged" (media lingo) and we did not get hit by a wall of water. We did learn allot about each other on Saturday. I am extremely grateful to be part of this community, where Aloha prevails, and acting with the good of all in mind is truly second nature.

Warmest Aloha,

Linda Carol Berry
LET IT BE FUN !

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