Iselle Clean Up

During and after the storm people have been posting images that reflect both the fierce power of the hurricane itself, the extensive damage to many communities, homes and perhaps most moving, the aloha spirit you could see as neighbors climbed mounds of debris to be sure neighbors were safe.  Rescue operations, and maintenance crews, National Guard, volunteers, CERT, Red Cross, United Way county workers, electric staff, state and county employees and TONS of neighborhood volunteers have made the best of a bad situation.  (There are over 40 different agencies coordinating efforts to provide food, water, medical assistance, etc.)  Power on our street came on yesterday (for Lunel's birthday), but other streets in our subdivision do not have power, and there are subdivisions that are more heavily impacted that we were, by far.  Some of the progress has been slow because there were not enough power poles, wire and transformers.  These had to come both from other islands and some from the mainland.  When you observe these photos -- send prayers for families.

Hurricane Update

Last evening we took a drive down Kalapana way to a favorite spot near Opihikao-Kamaili to check out the waves and enjoy a pretty sunset before the first hurricane (Iselle) hits land late Thursday.  A hurricane like this has not had a direct hit on the Big Island since the mid 1800's, but TWO!!!  This is a rare event.

One good thing about it, is the last couple days we have done major yard clean-up, removing possible flying obstacles since the expected winds could reach 80-90 mph.  In Eureka, we experienced storms with 100 mph winds, but of course a tropical storm can be different and unpredictable.  Yesterday we cleaned up all the building materials on the nearly done lanai.

Tomorrow (Friday) we have our Tiki Party planned, but of course everything is up in the air (quite literally with the weather), but everything is done, house clean and tidy, which leaves cracking open a coconut and slicing open one of our OWN luscious white pineapple, and putting a music mix together -- in hope we can celebrate in between hurricanes!  Life on the edge!