I survived the...

After a night of feasting on grade A sashimi and sushi, comprised of local fish harvested from the pristine Hawaiian waters, and deep into REM wonderland, a high pitched siren jolted me off the air mattress. It was 6am. The Chilean earthquake had spawned a tsunami, and was on target for the islands; landing time was estimated at 11:30 for Oahu. Television stations blared the news: long lines and 'runs' on gasoline, water, batteries and food. To understand the precaution, and the panic, the history of tidal waves is deeply embedded within the local population. In 1946, on the big island of Hawaii, Hilo was struck seven times by a tidal wave that devastated the town and killed 159 people. But perhaps the most poignant tragedy occurred in Laupahoehoe. After the first 2 tidal waves hit the shore, children from a school located along the coastline went to gather the fish left by the waves; as the water receded 26 children and 4 teachers were killed when another wave 35-50 feet struck the beach. On that day, the island of Oahu was hit by 36 foot waves. My brother's condo is across the street from the Waikiki Yacht harbor. The Pacific ocean sits there like the crown jewel that it is. That morning yachts and boats started a mass exodus for open waters. Better to bob on the high seas then sit moored in the basin. Six floors up, we watched the police barricade the street from traffic. Waikiki was a ghost town. 7-11 shelves were swept clean; no spam or bread! Beer was easily the liquid grain of choice. We decided to stay. But, we moved two cars and an Indian choppper to higher ground. When I read the news the next day, everyone had a story to tell. My favorite: the savvy locals who drove to the Pali, a range of the Ko'olau mountains, rendering a magnificent view of the towns of Kailua, and Kaneohe, with hibachis, six packs, ukes, pets and families in tow, an instantaneous community,'ohana,' (family) perched high on the cliffs where the great Kamehameha once stood.