Rumblings Over Manini Problems
Wednesday - October 25, 2006
It was interesting to see the predictability of our town in times of duress. The day of the quake, we appropriately trumpeted our Spirit of Aloha. Unlike other major metropolitan areas on the Mainland, we did not devolve into a pack of marauding looters taking advantage of confusion and anxiety. No fires started, no cars were overturned and no acts of senseless violence reported. Although there were rumblings (pun not intended) of price gouging, stores and gas stations did a great job of taking care of customers under less-than-ideal conditions.
Yet, this feeling of solidarity and togetherness dissipated somewhat as soon as the power turned on.
Within hours, accusatory fingers pointed in the direction of Hawaiian Electric Company, state Civil Defense, Department of Transportation, Hawaiian Tel and cell phone providers, and broadcasters for the jobs they did or did not do.
The volume and sharpness of the commentary were, in some cases, a bit histrionic.
I understand most are simply seeking answers. They will come, and improvements will follow.
But was your situation as dire and debilitating as some make it out to be? There were some cases of property damage and minor injury, but considering the trials and tribulations of others such as residents of Buffalo, N.Y., after a freak snowstorm cut off power for weeks, and those on the Gulf Coast still reeling more than a year later after devastating hurricanes, a few hours without power in Hawaii seems manini.
You are aware of the need for disaster preparedness. Now is the perfect time to inventory what you need, then go get it - today.
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