Over the past month, we’ve had an overwhelming amount of rain in Hawaii, causing severe flooding and even forcing all schools to close. No one expected that peaceful areas on the island—places where nothing usually happens—would be affected. Many households lost their homes and had to evacuate as the water rose as high as people’s height, soaking everything inside.
I was shocked by what happened, especially since our house was safe—we only experienced a power outage for half a day.
At first, I thought, “It’s just rain. Why do the schools have to close so often?” Especially the second time, when we were told again that there would be no school. The rain didn’t even seem as heavy as the first time. But in the end, it’s always better to be cautious. The flood warnings and the authorities’ decision to keep everyone indoors were absolutely the right call.
Even when natural threats are right in front of us, we tend to underestimate the potential disaster. We don’t want to disrupt our daily routines or walk away from our responsibilities, and that mindset can make us overlook the seriousness of the situation.
Here in Hawaii, people are supporting one another as an ‘ohana’—a family—working together to rebuild their lives. While there will likely be many donations of food, larger items are harder to come by. So I donated some unused furniture and blankets, and I also gave Swelly toys to children who lost theirs.
Wherever you live, you may also be facing concerns or fears related to natural disasters. Please stay safe.