Aloha folks:
Hawaii Island has been hit badly by hurricane Lala, a category one hurricane that swept over the big island of Hawaii where we live.
Earthquakes and volcanoes are nothing compared to this thing! Our community experienced the highest winds at 91 miles an hour. A total of 42 inches of rain fell Island wide, some got less but you’d never know it.
It tore off roofs. It devastated the communities of Na’alehu, Punalu’u and Waiohinu. Pahala and Wood Valley are completely isolated. A road coming in or out no longer exists. There are chasms so big they can’t be crossed. The island is mobilized trying to get resources to people trapped in these places. Homes have been washed into the ocean. Air patrols are searching for bodies.
But as always, Hawai’i takes care of her own. Those less affected help those still in the thick of it. Which is a good thing, given the current state of the government in Washington. I doubt they will offer any assistance whatsoever, as this administration has gutted FEMA. So we are not holding our breath.
I will get back to my regularly schedule blog posts as soon as we get our electricity restored. Chris and I have driven through our community, and I’ve never been in a war zone but the first thing that leaps to mind is it looks like a war zone or a bomb went off. Power poles dropped into roadways, trees everywhere, powerlines down huge cables that we have no choice but to drive over to get from here to there. Luckily they are not live. But still.
Wishing you all well, count your blessings! Climate change is real.
Bela