The tsunami altered our plans for Friday. We had planned on going on a beach outing but knowing that the beaches were likely closed we decided to take a drive to the Wild Side of the Big Island (eastern side).
Rainbow Falls:
Giant Banyan Tree...
Followed by Pe'epe'e Falls
*giggle* PeePee Falls! Why...that's practically a sentence! Pee pee falls. I said pee pee! Snicker, chortle, giggle. I'm soooooooo mature!
We also got to stop at What's Shakin' for fruit smoothies and a yummy lunch. Yep, they still make delicious smoothies!
Read more...
On our first visit to Hapuna Beach (just a few days into our two-week stay on the Big Island) we heard these LOUD sirens going off. I started panicking....Was it a SHARK that had been spotted? Was someone in trouble? WHAT? What???? Then a family member who does an annual trip to the island calmly explained to me that they're just doing their weekly tsunami warning system test (as in "This is a test of the emergency broadcast system...."). Ah. And then for a split second I wondered if tsunamis are really a problem here. Well, duh! I'm an Alaskan after all....I should know a little bit about tsunamis.
And little did I know that we'd actually learn first-hand what that actually all means.
After our sunset walk at the Energy Lab Beach on Thursday evening we read that a massive earthquake had just cause a massive tsunami that ravaged part of Japan .... and was headed our way.
Eeep!
The predicted time of the arrival for the tsunami wave was around 3am. Thankfully our rental house was up the mountain-side (at around 1000ft elevation) so we knew that we were completely safe. We did offer a safe haven for other family members who were staying on Ali'i Drive (which is right next to the ocean). Very early on Friday morning (3am? not really sure....wasn't awake enough to register the time) we could hear the tsunami warning sirens going off- requesting that everyone in the area evacuate to higher grounds.
We did not attempt to go near the beach on Friday (March 11) having heard that the surges following the initial tsunami wave might actually be stronger/more damaging. I believe that this was in fact the case. So no beaches for us! (instead we visited a couple of waterfalls and stopped at What's Shakin' for another superb fruit smoothie) We never saw the surges of water first hand. Safety First!
On Saturday morning our curiosity got the better of us adults. We had to see what had happened (if anything) to Ali'i Drive. We'd heard from a family member that our favorite restaurant (Bubba Gump) had suffered some damage and we assumed that they'd be closed for repairs. Nope! They were open for business but the servers did tell interesting stories of having to come in the previous day to clear up the mess that was left behind. Apparently the restaurant's signature red, white and blue plates were seen strewn up and down Ali'i Drive!
Before Tsunami (walking on wall on Ali'i Drive in Kona)
After Tsunami on March 12, 2011
pile-o-sand across the street...
We saw lots of boarded up shops (broken windows and doors).
Sand that wasn't there before (also across the street)
Damage done to sidewalk. Also notice all the boats out. Boat owners were asked to take their boats out of the harbor and sail on the open water to safely ride out the tsunami wave and surges. I'm pretty sure if they hadn't done that there would have been lots of damage done to those boats. (it is safe for boats to be out in open water when there's a tsunami- the place NOT to be is at the shore when the tsunami wave/surge hits).
The hotel in the background had water problems in their lobby and was having to move clients either elsewhere or to the higher floors (that's at least what I understood....I could be wrong).
Another view of the damaged sidewalk. Never ever underestimate the power of the ocean!
Here's a YouTube video someone else took of one of the surges of water on Ali'i Drive in Kona:
My heartfelt sympathy and condolences go out to the people in Japan who have suffered as a result of the earthquake and tsunami.
Read more...
Perhaps I should clarify!
My brother-in-law (aka Uncle Ray), his step dad (Mark B.- who happens to be a scuba diver and very knowledgeable about the Big Island) and I got to go snorkeling in Kailua Bay (located near the heart of Kona) on Thursday morning. On the drive to our drop off point we noticed a pod of spinner dolphins hanging out in the bay. We quickly made our way snorkeling across the bay (but also stopping to notice an eel swimming, schools of interesting fish and many other wonderful things) before getting to the dolphins. I've never gotten to be so close to them before! You could hear their clicking sounds before you could see them (that's how we knew they were still there). OMG! I almost panicked when I saw the first one- so close to me. They're such graceful ballerinas in and out of the water (spinning as their name implies). We'd see a group of them swimming together...and then maybe two close together...and then I did see what must have been a mama dolphin swimming with her baby (since it was a much smaller dolphin). I was nervous yet beyond thrilled to be in the water and watch them. And all it took was a some snorkeling gear & courage (and our guide- that being Mark B.). Pretty darn amazing and thrilling! Only thing...I didn't have a camera to take photos of the lovely dolphins. The above photo is actually one Daddy took while on his night manta ray snorkeling trip (and he paid Big Bucks for his trip and I didn't! Okay, okay....what they got to experience was certainly worth those Big Bucks and I'm most definitely not complaining. Just wanted to let you know that you don't have to lay out serious cash to experience these beautiful dancers of the ocean.)
Later....much later on the same day....
We went back to the Natural Energy Lab Beach to view the Sunset.
I just love the swirls that you can see in the lava.
The sea water evaporated and left behind the sea salt.....
Waiting and watching the sun set.
No green flash as there were clouds sitting right at the horizon. But still! What a sunset!
*On a side note....someone on Mark's night manta ray snorkeling trip asked if the water gets cold after dark. The guide said no- it actually heats up when the sun goes down into it! LOL!*
I'm just a country living mama with two cute & very creative girls. Please view my About Me page for more about Bristling Acres!
*I love hearing from you!*
