I have to preface this post by saying that we are so fortunate to have been spared significant damage and loss as a result of the tsunami. There is a sense of guilt I have in posting photos of the minor damage Maui has sustained, when the effects we've experienced pale in comparison to the harrowing crisis our friends in Japan are going through.
Like many of you, I have spent the last 48 hours glued to all forms of the media, my mind filling with images and statistics and videos of the travesty that continues to unfold. My heart is heavy and I find myself wishing that I could to do more than pray or donate funds; there is a deep and powerful empathetic desire to be there, to offer basic necessities like food, clean drinking water or human contact - a simple hug to offer comfort. I know it goes without saying, but please, let's all continue to do whatever our hearts tell us, whether it be lifting the country up in prayer or offering monetary assistance. Anything and everything we do will have an impact and can make a difference.
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Life has resumed normalcy here and it's business as usual, save for the island-wide sense of gratitude that things were not as bad as we anticipated. Yesterday was a day of clean-up around town; the mud and debris left behind are the only reminders of the preceeding hours of tremendous anxiety. Parts of the island are still flooded and some homeowners along the North Shore are dealing with these effects, but again, it is nothing that cannot be replaced or fixed.
This poor, green sea turtle was washed ashore, but hands were there to help the little guy out.
(All photos: via)
And a brief video of parts of the island hardest hit:
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Again, a big thank you to all for your concern and for checking in on us...love to all of you. xoxo.
Angie,
ReplyDeleteI am in Michigan and tonight while eating dinner I mentioned to my husband that I felt so guilty for doing so. There are people without power, without homes and without food and here I sit eating a nice hot meal in my own home.
It's just SO sad.
Aww poor little sea turtle! Glad they were there to get him back to his home! :)
ReplyDeleteAmazing photos...Glad you were spared from too much damage, it still looks pretty bad though. Thanks for sharing. Hope you have a good Sunday.
ReplyDeleteKelly
So glad to hear that everything is ok!! I was thinking about you, as well as some family of mine that lives in Hilo..happy to see that all is well!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad to know that you're fine. Our country was on Tsunami watch too. Good thing we live nowhere near the shore. I have friends who are in Japan and it breaks my heart to know that they don't even have water and electricity. They're only choice is to buy water and prepared food at the grocery but people have been hoarding those. I hope everything will go back to normal where you are and let's all pray that something like this won't happen again.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, on a lighter note, I chose you for the One Lovely Blog award. Do check it out on my blog, http://flippertail.blogspot.com/2011/03/one-lovely-blog-award.html. I really love yours! Have a nice day.
I've volunteered my medical services, but they can't take me because my license isn't current. I worked in the local ER and trauma center for 8 years, so I thought maybe the Red Cross could use me. All I can do is pray and lend support financially and otherwise. My heart breaks for them.
ReplyDeleteI too have feelings of guilt, but it also makes me feel very thankful for what I have.
Count your many blessings, eh?
Counting you in my blessins friend.
Aloha
The sea turtle pics make me happy! I do know how you feel though. I watched the news for about 3 hours before I couldn't take it anymore. The pictures and videos definitely had an impact on me. I wish I was still in the military right now to go out and help.
ReplyDeleteAw, the sea turtle!!!
ReplyDeleteI have a penpal who lives not on the main island but another one and he only got a 4 foot tsunami and said everything was fine. So he lucked out I guess.
What a beautiful post! There's always that sense of guilt when our situation isn't as bad as others', but your home area was also affected and we appreciate you sharing! We're in Washington state and our coast was on alert. I heard that some on the southern Oregon coast were standing on the beach to watch despite warnings and were swept away. Two got to shore on their own and two had to be rescued. It frustrated me because people are dying/have died in Japan with no warning to escape and these people were knowingly going against warnings. I guess there are thrill seekers and people who want to catch the perfect wave, but . . . I dunno.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad your family is safe!
Jen Hemming and Hawing Again
Wow, what a sense of community in times of need like this. I am happy that it wasn't so bad for ya'll. And that poor little turtle, can you imagine what was going on in his mind!?
ReplyDeleteYou put it perfectly in your first two paragraphs. Heavy heart and prayers for those affected in Japan
Wow, so glad people were there to help the honu...they are such beautiful creatures!!
ReplyDeleteWas that water all by you? How close are you to water? Again, glad everyone there is ok!
Such a tragedy for so many people..watching here from Canada it was just terrible to see the destruction this quake caused.
ReplyDeleteThe pictures of the turtle are good to see!!!
Glad you and your family are okay. Prayers going to those in Japan and effected by the earthquake and tsunami. Thanks for the updates and the pictures.
ReplyDeleteMy heart goes out to those in Japan...
ReplyDeleteAnd I'm so glad that you and Phil (and the rest of the island) are safe and sound.
You've been on my mind, so I am so glad that you are safe and sound. . .
ReplyDeleteIts hard to wrap your mind around the devestation that those in Japan are feeling. . .I too wish there was something tangible we could do. Its awful to see the pictures and feel like you want to do more. ..
So glad you and yours are safe and that the damage was less severe than anticipated. I love what you wrote about the people in Japan- prayers going their way!
ReplyDeleteglad you are safe and well. thankful that friends in japan and hawaii are safe as well however, my heart breaks knowing of all that lives lost.
ReplyDeleteSo very glad & Thankful that you & yours are safe and well.The country is in my thots and prayers and so are u!...much love :)
ReplyDeleteWe watched the tv/news about what was going on and it was SOOO SCARY and I'm thrilled you're okay! Wow! It was devastating! The whole world's in our prayers and thoughts. We have no control over Mother Nature and the natural disases and what God will and will not do. Not that God caused this-I can't read His mind, so I don't know but I do believe in the Bible it predicts these things ARE going to continue to happen as time goes by. Have to pray for all and help those we can! Take care-be careful and be safe!!
ReplyDeleteGod bless all of you.
*I got engaged this wk-end. Hope you'll check out my blog. I'm new to blogging but will now be doing more even if mine IS lame!! lol
Xo's and huge hugs!
Nikki
Wow, these photos are so sad. Especially the little turtle! I hope he got back to the ocean quickly! I am so so glad you're okay.
ReplyDeleteMy heart really goes out to Japan and all of the heartache they are going through right now.
Lots of love to you from just a few miles away =) xoxoxo
So glad you are safe and how awesome saving the turtle...
ReplyDeleteI also feel guilty eating or watching the Bachelor, or being in awe of our river rising or blogging...it all seems to insignifigant...