Hawai'i seems to have dodged a bullet (1:00pm)

The earthquake in Chile in 1960 triggered a huge tsunami that caused terrible damage to Hilo. This quake was smaller, but large on the scales and yet our shores are basically unaffected by the energy that has traveled 6,000 miles.

We're not to resume normal activity yet; the "all clear" has not been given. To their own risk there are many boats returning to the open harbors, and several people can be seen walking the streets and/or on the beaches. Things may have been much milder than originally anticipated, but why risk it? We live on an island, the beach will be there in a few hours - which the most time we would be waiting at this point. It's only 1:00pm and it's Saturday, chill people! It's not weak or foolish to take precautions. I think it's about respecting the ocean and it's power, and it's many potential dangers.

I want to wait and see first hand if any significant water activity will happen, but I am soooo tired! My honey has been sleeping this whole time - lucky him, guess he didn't miss much. Tsunami arrived on Hawaiian time as a keiki rather than a big kahuna: *phew*

Let's keep praying that the worst is over this time for our Hawai'i...

Timeline as the ocean stirs

11:57am

I guess what I'm feeling anxious for is the aftermath of the rising sea level. Whether the waves themselves are considered large, the water will damage local businesses and just the flow of our lives. That is what I have to hand over to God.

The reef is less exposed at Ala Moana, and surf there and here seems to be getting choppier.

12:07pm

Hilo waters very discolored. Small waves/surges have arrived but nothing severe; no damages.

12:10pm

The reef at Ala Moana is very exposed again. Waters seem to be fluctuating noticeably on the south shore of O'ahu. Again, no damages or significant water on shore. Many traffic cameras are now facing the ocean.

Reports of tsunami activity all over the world from the earthquake in Chile.

12:21pm

Kauai currently looks calm.

All islands are anticipating more ocean action. Hold mode...we wait...well most of us are. There are reports of people wading around in Waikiki and even Ala Moana. Bad idea, since the ocean is unpredictable and unforgiving.

12:25pm

Harbors and beaches are barren. North shore is like a ghost town; many voluntary evacuations taking place there, but Kam Hwy is closed. Changing water levels reported up there too.

The threat is still present for all islands until the "all clear" is given.

Hold mode...tsunami is on Hawaiian time

People are doing well to keep the roads clear. Many are closed anyways, including highways and freeways. Most malls are closed, most schools and libraries are closed too. Some banks opened today, and mail will be delivered outside of inundation areas.

The latest from the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center is that they're waiting too. The estimated time of arrival is reported to be about an hour later than originally thought. Hawaiian tsunami late, what a surprise? At least it didn't come early!

It's an eerie calm before the storm right now. It's weird to know it's coming, but not knowing when or how much water will rise onto our shores. The only sign we have from the ocean so far is some discoloration in Hilo.

Waikiki is flat as winter usually is at this point...

Education is key (11:10am)

Facts...

*A tsunami warning is not to prepare for a giant wave. The event is a series of waves over a varied period of hours, at varies intervals.

*The first wave is not necessarily the biggest.

*The height of the waves are not the only issue; the waves are traveling at a much stronger current and usually bring and pick up a lot of debris, making them very dangerous.

*The last major tsunami to hit was so long ago there are whole generations that have never experienced this high of an advisory.

*This 8.8 earthquake to hit Chile last night is tied for the 4th largest earthquake recorded in history (the other is Equador in 1906).

Updates...

*Tsunami ETA for O'ahu is 11:35am (according to KHNL2)

*Almost 11:10am and no major activity reported in Hilo.

*Another siren just sounded, nothing in sight here so far.

Tsunami en route (10:14am)

This is my first official tsunami warning since living here, and apparently the first one for the island in a long time. This is quite an experience, especially coming from the mainland. At this point I'm trusting that the posted evacuation zones are accurate and intelligently placed. We are technically 2 blocks passed the evac area for Waikiki. Click the following link to see our inundation zone guidelines (we are one block west of the Jefferson Elementary School):

Civil Defense Tsunami Evacuation Zone

I'm still sick so I was trying to sleep in until closer to the first estimated impact, but with the state sirens going off every hour and the hotel announcements invading our apartment, there was not much sleep to be had for me. In between dozing I have been texting my local homies to check in and check up. Turns out my work was really slammed so I went in to help lighten the load, so they could close sooner. Glad I did, because it was quite a scene down there.

This warning comes as a result of the large earthquake that hit Chile yesterday. Basically, the first wave is estimated to hit O'ahu around 11:18am HST (Hilo will be hit first, at 11:05am). It's currently 10:14am HST. Thank goodness it is day time and not a business day. I feel for the tourists that are trippin' right now because I know if I was on vacation and all I knew about tsunamis was movies and the tragedy in Indonesia, I would wanna leave now!

I am also comforted by the fact that I live in a concrete building, on the 21st floor. I only wish our lanai faced the ocean head on so I could see what may be.

...more later...

Looks like I fell off my blogging train again. Life has picked up I guess and sometimes I feel lost in the mix.

One of my dearest bestest friends now lives here! As of the 9th she is a local girl. :) I so wish we lived in the same town but we're getting together fairly often so far and making it work.

I went to the Brian McKnight concert on Valentine's Day with my friend (a girl). It was a great show; he's a true vocalist and is actually very funny. I don't think I'll ever get tired of his voice. I wish I could've gone with my boo but he had to work so we spent time before that. (I don't think he would've enjoyed it as much as me and my friend anyways.)

My honey made it up to me the following Tuesday by surprising me with a trip up north to the Polynesian Cultural Center. I had never been to that luau - or any other luau on this island actually. The food was good, but I wish we got there sooner to see more stuff around the exhibits. We took a canoe ride, and the show at the end of the night was cool. It was a big production, and I liked how they come up and down the isles throughout the whole show.

I finally had my pre-conception check-up last week. I was way overdue for my annual exam so it all worked out. My doctor said I'm healthy and she would expect me to have no problem getting pregnant, even with my cyst issues and longterm pill usage. She also did a cholesterol check on the spot. If I had just waited and not eaten my granola bar in the lobby it would've been a fasting glucose level but at least I have an update: my overall cholesterol went down 9 points, and while I do have high good cholesterol, I also have high bad cholesterol. I hate thinking about that stuff but it kind of weighs on the back of my mind. I am thin, active, and maintain a relatively healthy diet BUT my genes have betrayed me and I still have to watch my cholesterol. Poo. On the up side, I've increased my soy intake via tofu and soy milk. I started before I had the news about my cholesterol since I read soy can help encourage fertility on the woman's side. We'll see if it makes a difference for either of my goals!

And now, it's boo time. We would be surfing, but I'm trying not to prolong my sickness. Just a cold I think, but why drag it out when the waves may not be so good today anyway. I may not be so willing to pass once summer comes around...

My Season 9 American Idol Picks out of 24

First voting show for top singers this season...

Ladyz

YES: Didi Benami, Ashley Rodriguez, Lilly Scott

MAYBE: Crystal Bowersox, Jenell Wheeler, Michelle Delamor, Katelyn Epperly

NO: Haeley Vaughn, Siobhan Magnus

NOT SURE: Lacey Brown, Katie Stevens, Paige Miles

Menz

YES: Todrick Hall, Andrew Garcia, Jermaine Sellers, Casey James

MAYBE: Aaron Kelly, Joe Munoz, Lee Dewyze

NO: Tim Urban, Alex Lambert

NOT SURE: Tyler Grady, John Park, Michael Lynche

My thoughts on Ellen...

I am kind of liking her more than I thought I would. She's nice and honest, and she does understand "the biz." I wish they could find someone who knows more educated vocal critiques but at least she's super funny.

Unexpected day; Grace abounds

I never would've predicted today to be the way it ended up. Before I went to sleep last night I thought to myself it will be just another day off - sleeping in, passing time until my hubby wakes up before he goes to work.

Um, no...

I woke up to a call about work. My boss is still out of town and there are associates of hers helping out with store-runs for supplies. We have had the usual trouble of getting everyone at the store participating in making lists, and I am only one woman (now I really know how my boss feels). Long story short, one person was apparently frustrated that they were going to the store so often so abruptly ended our conversation after receiving a call from my co-workers who were on the clock after he had already left the store. I text soon after that I sensed the irritation but it was unnecessary as we can go to the store ourselves if it's not convenient for him. He never replied as to whether or not he was getting all our stuff so I waited...

...in the mean time...

I went to the pool deck to check my messages, Twitter, Facebook, etc, and chill out. Turns out I wasn't going to pick my friend up from the airport later as planned, since she didn't make the flight. Ok, that's no problem. Then I see a text from an old friend, long since out of touch. We've recently (as well as off and on) been messaging on Facebook and just exchanged numbers. We ended up texting for a bit then talking on the phone for over an hour, catching up and filling in the gaps. What timing; I needed that. I hope we really keep in touch, and keep the laughs going. We're both nuts and it just works.

...back to the store...

So finally I text to inquire as to whether our supplies are coming or not - we just needed to know. I end up running to the store, which was fine, I needed some things for home anyways. Sad to say, it was the first time I drove to and shopped at Safeway by myself since we moved here. Yeah, I know. Anyways, I called my boss, which I've been trying to avoid, to verify what I should get and what I should let the store go without for possibly a day. She graciously assisted me while on her vacation and I happily delivered the goods.

...oh yeah, the airport...

Turns out the boxes for my friend that is moving here did make it on the plane, so we needed to eat and head there before J had to go to work, with time to stop back here so he can still help drop off the boxes. Long story short, we did it. Got some awesome fish from Nico's just as they were closing, and got the boxes back to our apartment with plenty of time to cuddle and say a long goodbye. I love happy endings!

~

The theme for the day is GRACE. I didn't not receive or show much grace in the morning regarding work inventory, for which I should probably apologize later to the co-workers I vented to, lol. Grace did abound throughout the rest of the day: as my friend and I reunited (very important to me), as my boss took time from her and her hubby's time to ease my mind, as my honey used his pre-work time to help me do a favor for my friend (very excited she's moving here), as the cooks at Nico's stayed open 10 minutes longer to fry our fish, and as God helps me realize daily that I am married to the perfect man for me. ♥

[Pic: Diamond Head 1/30/10 from Ali'i Kai Catamaran]