You know you haven’t blogged in a while when you can’t remember your WordPress login and password! However, I digress. Like many people in Hawaii, I have been deeply affected by the devastation in Japan from the recent earthquake and tsunami. I still can’t believe it happened and when I see the constant barrage of videos and photos of the aftermath, I feel like I’m watching a movie. I wish it were just a movie because it breaks my heart to hear about the growing death toll and the nuclear crisis that is now consuming everyone’s attention.
As I watch the coverage, I am amazed by the resilience of Japan and its people. Not once have I seen or heard a report of looting. Or rioting at stores to fight for the last ration. When instructed to conserve electricity, people comply quietly with no complaint. Many have family in Hawaii and elsewhere who are encouraging them to evacuate to safer areas yet they refuse to leave their country. What saddens me most though are the nuclear power plant employees who continue to work in extremely hazardous conditions in order to protect their fellow citizens. It’s truly amazing to witness the human spirit at its best.
So did we overreact this time around? I don’t think so. There will be another disaster and Mother Nature may not be so kind. Having worked in my hospital’s command center that night, I was somewhat distracted by concern for my own family. My husband also had to report to work so our kids were “home alone.” Yes, they are older and we live on a mountain ridge but I couldn’t help but worry about what might happen if the tsunami hit East Oahu. There’s only one road in and out of East Oahu and if it was destroyed by a tsunami, how long before the two of us could get back to our family? I really don’t want to know the answer to that question because it would seriously freak me out.
There’s a lot to be learned from these past two and a half weeks. Put together an emergency kit and have an evacuation plan for your family. Stock up on canned goods and water (and don’t forget the toilet paper). We do this every time we dodge a natural disaster yet can any of us honestly say we are really prepared to survive for a week or two after the event?
That said, please show your aloha for the numerous fundraising efforts that are taking place across our state to help Japan. I know you don’t need another t-shirt and it’s tough right now to part with what little disposable income we have but it’s the least we can do to help a country that has always supported Hawaii.
Deeply relevant thoughts, Shawn …
~ Craig