“It’s not every day you get a tsunami warning for your hometown,” I’ve commented twice tonight.
Maybe it’s brilliant procrastination from my teaching lesson, maybe it’s overtiredness and not wanting to go to bed, but oh despite it all I think… I really do have a genuine concern from across the Pacific. Due to a 7.7 earthquake off the west coast of Canada, there’s a tsunami warning for my home islands of Hawaii. This means sirens going off, evacuation areas being emptied, and eyes glued to the screen of the live news feed on KITV News. It may not be anymore than a foot-high surge, and I’ve been in Kona when we actually had damage on the ocean-front after the Japan earthquake’s tsunami, but when the people of Hawaii are in upheaval in the middle of the night? I don’t have as much motivation to plan a lesson for the morning in New Zealand.
I’m not worried for my parent’s safety, or for anyone’s, for that matter. But I do think of my friends who are sleeping at other houses tonight and the adventures that weather warnings hold. I remember last year’s when we got school cancelled and my brother made us breakfast- instead of Hualalai Village carpool we had a french toast party. Good times. There was damage on the forefront… but it’s amazing to see communities come together despite hardship. That reminds me of how much I’m looking forward to being back in Hawaii so soon. Especially when the live stream talked about having emergency stocks, and the video showed sacks of rice in a supermarket. Oh, I love Hawaii so much. Good ole rice.
Well. I probably should go to bed. Thank you Lord for your safety and peace, and for wonderful officials and state workers and news workers letting me know how it all turns out. Blessings on you all.