Tsunami Scare

Windy and rainy today

It has been raining on and off all night, looks like Mt Wai'ale'ale (the top is the rainiest place on earth) got tons. We looked through the binoculars and saw 5 falls gushing water, here you can see 3, the one on the left continues down, the phone lines crossing over it.

Trying to surf Thursday left us recovering on Friday. We spent most of the day relaxing, when the day really started to heat up, we went to the beach. 

The waves were huge, cresting in the distance (about 100 yards out) are 10 foot waves. They also broke on shore at a good 3 feet.

my sweet husband looking very relaxed and windblown

Lucy is not afraid of the waves. She used to run to safety but now she just stands there and braces herself.

Baxter, undaunted but the surf, goes after his stick

Lucy playing fetch

If you look close you can she she is just about ready to pounce on her stick, her back legs are in the air.

Then, she would chew on the stick

Sometimes she would fetch her stick in the shallow water

This picture made me laugh. I was trying to get a shot of the beach, ocean and Bali Hai. The people looked small and distant in my view finder. When I got home, I realized she just got slammed by a large wave and I caught the moment!

People had their fishing poles out

A lot of surf that day!

Lucy just loves the beach more than anything else. She runs up and down in a puppy frenzy, runs up to meet people, tries to take the stick from Baxter and is now playing fetch, the Lucy way.

I think she's checking out that cruise ship

Baxter surfing the big wave in. At one point he was distracted and got pummeled by a huge wave, sending him end over end in the water. He was apprehensive after that but didn't want to stop.

So, Dan went in with him. Here 2 feet from shore, they get hit by a good one.

Lucy was watching very intently, I couldn't distract her when they were in the water.

Then she would run up and try to take the stick from Baxter.

Dinner that night. Organic mixed baby greens with herbs and edible flowers, oranges, cherry tomatoes, avocado, marinated tofu and sunflower seeds. We watched the movie Management and made some popcorn. Management is a good romantic comedy with Jennifer Aniston and Steve Zahn.

Saturday. 6am, pitch dark. An emergency siren yanks us from a deep, peaceful sleep. Heart pounding and mind whirling, we remember the news story last night. A possible tsunami was predicted to hit the Big Island (also called Hawaii) at 11:19am. We throw on some clothes, ignore morning hygiene, and turn on the TV. Immediately the severity of the situation sets in. A devastating earthquake in Chili yesterday, registering 8.8, had the whole pacific rim on stand by. Phil, our neighbor, came up and said the stores were crazy and Safeway was out of water. Kauai was predicted to be hit at around noon and roads were closing access below evacuation level at 9:30. It was 7:30, so we headed up to our grocery store, (because they pride themselves on the freshness of their fish and Angela - at the bank - recommended them) Foodland. The roads were populated, but traffic moved swiftly, everyone driving about 15 to 20 MPH over. It doesn't sound like much but when the one lane, winding mountain road's speed limit, is 25 MPH, it is. We passed the Kapa'a Middle School, which is also the emergency evacuation shelter. The parking lot was full of cop cars, emergency vehicles, tourists and locals who live below evacuation levels. 

Drive by shot of Kapa'a Middle School taken from my iPhone.

The Foodland parking lot was full, but we quickly found a spot. Walking into the store, streams of people were coming out, their carts full of groceries and bottled water. Some, tourists, had all of their luggage crammed in the back of their cars. Dan and I, just having gotten groceries, didn't need much. We got emergency candles, tequila, limes, water, m&m's, pastries, cream (for my coffee), paper towels, and kleenex. We also broke down and got a pack of smokes. 

Foodland. Everyone was very calm, civilized, and even made jokes. Standing in line we hear the two gas stations in town, Shell and Conoco are out of gas.

Our cashier, in lane 1, had been working at at steady pace since 6am. Foodland was going to let everyone go at 10am so they could get to safety and family.

Liquor shelves in Safeway

Water isle in Safeway

Back home in less than an hour, we were glued to the TV. We also had our laptops open checking twitter and posting updates on facebook. A facebook friend on Oahu suggested we get on twitter because it's big on the islands and a great way to connect with people in Kauai. She was right, luckily we had "networked" several days before and accumulated a lot of Kauai residents as "friends". All day, we kept getting tweets and links from all over the islands, we posted that we had room, high in hills of Kapa'a, if someone needed a safe place to evacuate to. I also had the local NBC news website open. Family and friends, bookmark this site, this is the site to check from afar for accurate and updated information. We sat there, high on adrenaline, for about 5 hours. Eating pastries, drinking coffee, and actually thinking we may be able to see a live tsunami from the safety and comfort of our treehouse, like everyone else. Governor Linda Lingle, spoke from the emergency shelter in Oahu. I felt comforted when she talked about the extensive experience Kauai has in emergency preparedness (hurricane Iniki being an excellent teacher) and happy that they had had enough warning to make sure everyone was safe. I am sure everyone in the state was watching, eating and drinking. The entire neighborhood was silent, except for the birds. One tweet said they sold out of spam in Maui, others gave links to live video streams, most said everyone was safe and watching for the big event. The tsunami was expected to hit Hilo on the Big Island, then Maui, Oahu, and Kauai last. We watched the water rise and fall in Hilo bay, under Kai Bridge (it runs over the estuary) there was so much water being taken from the river and into the ocean, it actually created white water. Then, 2 minutes later, the current would show water moving into the river. The scientists at The Pacific Tsunami Center, located in Oahu (created as a result of the the 2004 Indonesian tsunami), gave regular reports. We were in awe at the professional manner in which the state responded to the situation. Everything was well communicated and organized, updated information sent to the news stations on a regular basis. The reporters were not dramatic, neither were they silly or stupid, but very professional. No panic, no looting. We were amazed by the cooperation of the residents, we saw deserted streets and boats heading out from harbor to a safe distance. I am proud of my new home state and I have never experienced something so intense, not even tornado warnings in Colorado. There was one tornado in Parker, that looked like it was headed right to our house, but that only lasted 10 or 15 minutes, this was needles and pins for most of the day. Thankfully, it was a small tsunami only causing damage to ocean life by washing fish on shore or exposing reefs. A perfect dress rehearsal. 

2004 Tsunami victims had no warning

I apologize for the quality of these pictures, I took them from the NBC website, you can't see the detail and beauty but you get the gist of it. If you want to see more, clearer pics, click here. On this link there is a picture of an exposed reef on the Na Pali Coast, pretty scary since these waters probably have about 30 feet of water covering them normally.

Hilo Bay, Bridge Kai. You can see how strong the current was, and how stupid some people were!

We watched in disbelief as the local NBC station showed this shot in Honolulu. A man (highlighted in the circle) was walking out into the ocean as the tsunami approached the Big Island. He is now known as the village idiot.

Kauai, North Shore, Hanalei Bay, deserted.

Deserted beaches

Maui, Lahaina, Front street, deserted

Deserted harbor in Lahaina.

At 2pm, the warning was released. We were advised to stay out of the water for the next several days. After it hits Japan, it will rebound back. That combined with the 50 plus aftershocks in Chile, creates deadly rip currents. Of course there were people surfing in Honolulu, 30 minutes before the warning was released. Stores, restaurants and bars opened up and Simone got called into work. We decided to join her and Phil. We needed a drink and some camaraderie, to relieve the stress from that day. It was fantastic, they know a lot of people and introduced us to them. Some of their friends, Alan and Roxanna, were going to Alan's house to play pool. Another, Gary, was having a BBQ, we were invited to both. Tradewinds does not have a restaurant, but they call orders in and have them delivered. We ordered fish wraps from the Fish Hut and had our favorite lilikoi margaritas. Simone got off at 8 and we all decided to go over to Alan's. She and Phil went to the store while we went home to put on warmer clothes (a wind advisory was out) and get the dogs. Simone, a friend who already knows me pretty well, said we could bring them to Alan's. 

We hear the crunch of their tires on the gravel and head downstairs. Phil tells us Alan passed out (it was his birthday today, birthday+tsunami=heavy drinking) so we decide to sit outside, under the full moon and have a couple of beers. We sat out until one am getting to know each other better, only the rain driving us to bed.

Since the weather is kind of poopy and we woke up at 8, we are not feeling too motivated. The only thing scheduled for today, is making food. Shakes and miso tea for breakfast, fried rice cakes from the leftover pallea for lunch, and a salad for dinner.

Dan making Isagenix shakes

Set up for a day of relaxation

Lucy's favorite place to relax, which is cute, except when she snores right in my ear!

olē

This morning we went to the north shore to try and surf. Once again, the water was too choppy. It didn't stop us from trying! After an hour, we stopped at the Dolphin Fish Market and got some fresh spearfish that was caught today. This pallea, my first attempt, has 2 kinds of fish, Ono and Spearfish. It turned out pretty good, but needs some tweaks! What's missing? THE PINEAPPLE!!! I was so intent on trying to get it right, I totally forgot about it! It was tasty, I'm going to have to get more information from my aunt Anita, who makes the best pallea in the world! What do you think mom? Does it make your mouth water? I love you!

Happy Birthday Baxter!

Today, Baxter is 9 years old. We decided to celebrate, by taking him on a hike. About a minute down the street, we keep seeing parked cars with dogs walking around, so we decided we'd check that out. A lady, returning from walking her 3 dogs told us the story. 20 years ago, a man sold some land for development that wasn't his. As a matter of fact, our neighbors Alice and Dan bought some of this land and have been in probate for 20 years. It has turned into a dog park of sorts. Dirt roads and no traffic, the only thing missing is a stream for them to cool off in. There is a canal, mountain runoff, about 4 feet wide and who knows how deep. But, it's about 4 feet straight down. Baxter wanted a drink of water so bad, he almost fell in trying to get some.

Park your car, go over the barricade and you're in.

Huge trees with vines growing up them.

The leaves on those vines are as big as your head!

They are in heaven, and Dan and I are really happy this is 1 minute from the house!

Sleeping Giant Mountain

These pretty trees line the walk

a close up of the flowers on the tree

Dan had to see if those rocks were real or man made. They are man made.

The dirt here is red, even the dogs are turning reddish!

Pretty vine with pretty flowers growing on it.

There's horses down there (if you didn't know you can click on the picture to see it full screen)

Lucy says "It's Africa hot!"

Dan loves these trees, they seem like trees you'd see in Africa.

Down country roads, take me home...

After we got home, Dan started putting the safari top on the jeep and cargo nets on the windows

He had some help from Phil and Simone's cat, Nelly

All done! Plates, safety sticker, safari top and cargo nets! The dogs are going to love this!

 

We had to get hawaiian style seat covers!

After a simple lunch of whole wheat pasta, butter, parmesan cheese and pepper Dan will stay home and chill out. I am going grocery shopping and doing some research while I am at it. I plan on talking to Nok about her produce and seeing if she'll work with me. Then, I am going to get some pallea fixins and see if I can't put a hawaiian twist on it by using pineapple. It's an experiment for the Kauaian Fresh menu.

My aunt's pale. I would love to use whole shrimp, they have them at the store with heads on and everything, it tastes so much better. But, I think people might be weirded out by it. The other shellfish in this picture are langoustines, can't get them here.

Lucy, post hike. Ever after a hose down, she still has a red undercarriage!

Sunset. Tomorrow, we surf!

Dan took this picture. It's a gecko, on the window, at sunset

Happy Birthday B!

Baxter's First Kill

a wide shot of Mount Wai'ale'ale

close up 1

close up 2

Sunday afternoon we took the dogs to the beach. We were hot and sticky, the dogs were hot and lazy. As soon as they figured out that we were going somewhere they perked up. They expect when we go whenever we go, running down the stairs at mach 10 and jumping into the jeep. Baxter, nudging himself up front to get some cool air from the vent, leaning on me. Lucy clamoring behind him, trying to make her way forward. He is between Dan and me on the center console, panting. Once we hit the dirt road, he goes crazy. This happens every time. Today, I decide to really pay attention, I even warned him when we were turning onto it. The first several bumps in the road cause a slight tremor to run throughout his body. Thirty seconds into it, he is vibrating with excitement, literally, his whole body has a violent tremor running through it. He is also yelping and moaning and screaming, like he is being tortured. I suppose as excited as he is, it is pretty torturous to be sitting inside the jeep when he knows what's coming, one of his favorite things in the world!

We walk the dogs on leash until we get close to the water. I have Lucy and she is almost dragging me forward. I put her in a sit and take off the lease, then release her. She runs, full blast, right into the ocean. I pick up some drift wood and chuck it into the water as Baxter runs by and gives me a bark, letting me know he's ready for business. For a while, it's the same routine; thrown the stick, watch Baxter get it (someone on the beach noticed he actually wags his tail while he is swimming), he drops it in front of one of us, we immediately throw it. If we delay in anyway, he is ready with a quick, loud bark to stimulate us into throwing the stick again. We found Lucy a little stick and Dan actually got her to fetch! She didn't like to go where the waves crash onto shore, (although sometimes, when she was all wrapped up in her stick, she inadvertently did) so Dan threw it onto the shore where there would be about a 5 foot stretch of inch deep water. The first time she ran after it, the ocean splashed her face and took her stick. She got smart and the second time, she ran to it, trapped it with her foot, waited for the water to recede some and grabbed it. It was one of the coolest things to see. A little while later I'd carry her pretty far into the water and put her in (legs swimming in the air on the way down) as Dan threw the stick. She would swim right to it, grab it with her mouth, and swim to shore. Sometimes, riding a wave in.

Monday, we got the safety inspection in town, went downtown to get the plates for the jeep and register the moped, and back to town to get the safety inspection sticker applied. The safety inspection consisted of turning on the headlights, blinkers, brake lights, blinkers, horn, and windshield wipers. He also checked the seat belts and the tread on the tires. Nice and easy!

Once we got home, Dan put up the blinds in the living room, a mirror in the bedroom, and hung a shelf by my side of the couch. I have a wall right next to me so there is no room for an end table, as a result, I have been using the window sill. With the blinds up, I can't use it anymore. While he was doing all that, I registered Kauaian Fresh as a sole proprietorship and researched my competition. I learned that I was going to charge $45.00 LESS an hour than them, so my price is now $20.00 an hour higher! I can't charge what they do because they have been to culinary school, worked in high end restaurants, and have been cooking for a decade or more.

As I was researching, dreaming up ideas, and recipes, Baxter heard the chickens outside and started whining to be let out. They were right in plain site, a black chicken and a bunch of chicks but he didn't see them. I guess they didn't see or hear him either because they just stayed right there, scratching, clucking and generally having some quality family time. Following his nose along the hedge, he looked up and saw them about 6 feet away. Off he went scattering chickens and feathers everywhere. He turned his back on them and mama came flying after him, he turned around just in time, and she flew off into the hedge. All of the chicks had disappeared except one, she was in the middle of the yard. Baxter and Lucy, at opposite ends of the yard, noticed it at the same time. From two directions the little chick was descended upon. When Baxter got to it, he immediately picked it up in his mouth and I cried out his name. I walked over and the baby had a puncture in her abdomen, quickly dying in my hands. With the taste of blood, Baxter is unstoppable. He now lays by the front door, watching and listening. I have to say, the first night we were here we were afraid, the cacophony of rooster and chicken calls all through the night, left little doubt the sleep was going to be precious. Now, the chicken calls are barely noticeable, part of the background noise, nothing annoying.

Today, I ventured out on my own. I really enjoyed driving the curvy, one lane, mountain road that we live on, admiring the ocean views and feeling the breeze blow my hair so I looked like a crazy woman. I went to the dentist to get the mold for my implant done. My dentist is so laid back. It's weird because he is anal and a perfectionist, I've seen it. He sent me a birthday card, handwritten, so nicely that when Irene asked if I got it, I had to ask her if it was printed out! He also made a welcome to my practice video, by himself, with his computer. He put a mold with a ton of goo in my mouth, held the mold with his fingers gently braced under my jaw, and says "ok, now we have to stay like this for 3 minutes, don't bite my finger off", then starts humming. He and Irene are so nice, I'm really glad I found them. Plus, he's won the People's Choice of Kauai award.

While I was away, Dan, not having found an end table to his liking, made one. He also put up some shelves in the bathroom, for our toothbrushes and stuff (one 8 inch shelf each, offset) When I got home,  I joined the Kapa'a Business Association. I get some business advertising and discounts. I get to be updated and informed about my community, volunteer and meet people. They put on The Coconut Coast Festival in October, and they have 10,000 people come, I may get a booth. That will give me enough time to get established. If my business makes enough I'll spend the $450.00, if not, I'm totally going, it sounds like a lot of fun!

Didn't he do a great job?

Lucy likes to nap in the coolest part of the house. She can be found on the bathroom tile.