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So, I’ve come over to Hawaii for a bit of a shredquest surf mission. Today, our 3rd day, was meant to be a trip to the big Island for a volcano tour etc.
Our phone rang at 3.30AM; the tour operator had called to cancel due to the “Tsunami Warning”.
“Err, what tsunami would that be?” I politely inquired (I am not particularly well inclined toward tsunamis, nor is my brain generally able to cope with such news at 3.30AM).
Anyway, after that was finished, I quickly opened up the Internet as Kate and I wondered what to do. She thought we’d be ok on Level 7 of our hotel, even though we are right on Waikiki.
At this point, I can’t describe the incredible apprehension I felt. I had a strong desire to get our basic stuff, and get to high ground in a taxi, to wait it out.
As I was out getting fresh water and bananas just in case, I dropped into the Waikiki police who said as long as you’re above Level 3 you’re fine. I found that particularly unrelieving. Haven’t these people seen 2012? LOS ANGELES WENT UNDERWATER!! The Himalayas!!
Anyway, after checking out the NOAA site and Twitter, we decided to wait it out. Glad I bought the laptop.
The tsunami is (still, it’s 10.30AM here as I write this) due at 11.05AM. We have fresh water, some food – probably enough for 2 days. An elderly Scottish lady had 5 days supply by her reckoning. Surely that is a little overboard.
Kate thinks this will be a non-event; I like to manage risk, hence the water, Clif Bars and bananas.
Some of my observations thus far.
Overall, people still, with 30 mins to go, seem to be treating this as a non-event. People are taking photos on the beach. People are walking the streets (though they’re becoming less busy now).
6AM: the streets are incredibly busy, with people stocking up on water and food. Most ABC stores are shut. One store near the market on Waikiki is open but way, way too busy.
Tension in the streets is palpable.
9AM: Kate and I go for a walk. The beach boys are packing their boards up. There are people surfing. The queues in the hotel for coffee and food are long. The hotel shop (water, chocolates etc), is letting one person at a time in only. The 24 hour Mc Donalds has closed, whilst Burger King is doing a roaring trade. Nowhere is open for breakfast except Dukes.
10.30AM. There are many, many boats out to sea. More and more arrive by the minute. People are walking the streets. Oblivious. The police are continually doing laps with the Fire Department, warning people to evacuate now.
Hotel balconies are packed. There’s a sort of grotesque schaedenfreude to this. People seem to be excited.
Warning sires are sounding constantly.
I can hear laughter. There is a young couple cycling along the main street along Waikiki.
The gentle waves gently break along Waikiki. There is a gentle breeze; nothing appears to convey or portend imminent potential catastrophe.
Overly dramatic, perhaps.
The worst part about this is not knowing. I’ve seen reports of 2 ft waves hitting some Pacific Rim islands, with predictions of a 12 foot surge. Also reports of a 35 foot wave. On Waikiki’s shallow beach, that could be interesting.
The latest Twitter hashtag for this, at #tsunami, mentions a prediction for Oahu of up to 2.3 feet – hardly dangerous.
The worst part about this is we’ve missed our big Island/volcano trip, AND we’re stuck in our hotel all day, oh, and of course, the deaths in Chile and elsewhere.
Some photos below.
More to come, including video.
Waiting in line for Food
Checking it out from the beach
Video of the wave…epic!
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