Recently, there was quite the stir in Hawaii as Mother Nature decided to shake things up—literally. An 8.8 magnitude earthquake off the coast of Russia sent waves of concern rippling across the Pacific, remembering the unfortunate events that unfolded in 2011 with Japan’s significant quake. Only this time, Hawaii managed to escape with relatively minor issues, which is either sheer luck or thorough preparedness by islanders, depending on how you choose to see it.
Hawaii experienced waves rising up to 5.7 feet along certain areas such as Maui, but fortunately, the state seemed to sidestep what many feared could be a disaster of epic proportions. Authorities moved swiftly in issuing warnings and advisories, urging locals and vacationers alike to stay clear until it was absolutely safe. Surprisingly, the folks in Hawaii took the warnings seriously—a refreshing sight in this age where people are more likely to disregard alarms unless they ping on their smartphone screen.
Meanwhile, fingers were crossed further afield along the West Coast of the United States. California wasn’t expecting to make it to the headlines with dramatic images of devastation this time, although some areas saw their water levels rise. Residents were encouraged to remain vigilant as high tides began to make their appearance. All things considered, the situation was vigilant yet calm, potentially saving a lot of trouble by taking heed of the announcements.
The real story here, at least for those who braved the possible tsunami sites and managed to stay dry, was the sense of community. Unlike the tornado-blasé folks in Oklahoma, the people in Hawaii banded together, evacuating when necessary and lending a helping hand wherever needed. They evacuated effectively, working as a united front to beat the potential chaos like a well-tuned orchestra—all without leaving a trace of doubt about their readiness to face nature’s fury.
Perhaps the response is a lesson learned from past catastrophic events, like the 2004 and 2011 tsunamis in the Indian Ocean and Japan. The progress in how these warnings are issued and how the general public reacts is a testament to why sometimes, watching what happens elsewhere can reshape how people act locally. After all, when dealing with the sheer power of water, being inundated with caution, rather than sea-water, is the lesser of two evils. Hawaii’s dance with disaster might not have made the major headlines this time, but it sure shed light on the importance of taking nature seriously—unless you enjoy surfing when your beach towel’s floating away.
