Disturbing Incident

(revision of post) Well, dear readers, as if losing our retirement home is not bad enough, we have discovered that photos of our property are being used in a variety of ways. While some may be innocent, generally demonstrating the on-going catastrophe, some are being used on Go-Fund-Me accounts to get money even while their houses are still standing.

We DO understand that nearly everyone in our beautiful subdivision is suffering those whose homes are gone as well as those who have had to evacuate and their lovely homes that are still standing. As we said, some uses of this photo are not done with deliberate intention to defraud.

However, for us, personally, it is very disturbing to find photos of what was our house being used in this way. The photo was taken from our neighbor's driveway across the street on LUANA street -- adjacent to Fissure #8. That is our front driveway, our gate, our palms -- our complete loss; I was in a coma in ICU at the hospital at the time of the emergency evacuation and Phil had less than an hour to so our loss is total -- except for computer and dogs.

On the one hand is this unbelievable loss and on the other hand, the generosity of both friends and strangers. We are deeply appreciated the donations we have received on a Go-Fund-Me account that was set up FOR us by friends in Humboldt County (where we lived for 22 years). We also are grateful for the beautiful family in Kea'au who have taken us and our three corgi dogs in until we can find our way to a new life in an uncertain future.

We have been treated only with compassion and kindness by the Red Cross, FEMA volunteers, and SBA as well as other neighbors. We wish only the best outcome for everyone during this distressing time. We only ask that people be honest about their losses and their OWN situation. 

Another WISH for us is that we have  been waiting for over six weeks now to hear about our insurance coverage, and it is only contributing to our anxiety and depression not to KNOW about our coverage. We are going to write letters to the governor, states representatives, and congress people as well as our local district supervisors -- anyone who can apply pressure to help us get some answers.

In the meantime, Peace, Phil and Lunel