<p>^ teriwitt, from what I heard second hand through my parents after my brother called them this morning, he did not perceive any damage on that side of the island, and none where he lives right by the water. I’m not sure if he went by those villas right by Kapalua Beach though.
Kihei is very flat, with the main road pretty much at the same level as the beach…so that road was flooded I hear.
I haven’t heard anything about Lahaina and the harbour there. I’m assuming it was ok.</p>
<p>spideygirl, apparently 3 people were taking pictures and were swept out to sea. Two of them were rescued (incredibly), but the third is still missing. This was in California.</p>
<p>CNN was reporting that Japanese officials “lost contact” with 4 trains on coastal routes.</p>
<p>Alaska now lets people rebook their HI flights without penalties within the next week or so; however, all flights took off as scheduled today. It would be a huge blow to the already fragile HI tourism industry if people start cancelling their vacation plans…</p>
<p>Actually, don’t see why they would cancel plans for HI–maybe Japan but HI is fine, as has been reported most places. There was minor damage, must less than in former earthquakes and the hurricane Iniki. Personally, I don’t envision many wanting to cancel–most would probably still like to come here where it’s nice & warm!</p>
<p>HImom - some resorts have shut down for a few days to assess damage. If I had plans to stay at one of these places, I might want to cancel.</p>
<p>I’m not cancelling any plans, and I hope no one else does. In fact, as soon as this flight lands, I’m going to look for fall travel deals. 
DH wants to visit every major HI island this year.</p>
<p>True, there are likely a FEW places who have shut down for inspection and repairs but most of the hotels are still operating as usual & most of the state is unscathed. I think it’s more likely that folks would want to book another hotel instead of trying to switch their vacation schedule around at the 11th hour, but that’s just me. Hotwire or other site could probably get them an amazing site!</p>
<p>The YouTube link was sent to me by a friend who lives on the Big Island. I forgot you aren’t supposed to post YouTube links; I was thinking “news” not personal. I apologize to the moderators. </p>
<p>I have found the best source for info on the hotels to be the hotel Facebook page, weirdly. </p>
<p>Apparently the King Kamehameha hotel in Kona has serious damage; the Royal Kona is okay (as far as I can tell). </p>
<p>Kona Village has closed “for a few days”.</p>
<p>I’d like to spend more time on our neighbor islands as well–might be something to look forward to for 2013, when H has more leisure time! Another goal–see the beauty of our state and all our United States–we have so much to be grateful for and such treasures in the US, much of it free for the viewing!</p>
<p>Creepy coincidence:
9-11: 9-11-01
Jap.e:3-10-11</p>
<p>Add the dates and you get 12-21-12 :O</p>
<p>^That’s a good one. Did you come up with that?</p>
<p>danish,</p>
<p>The earthquake in Japan was on March 11th, not March 10th.</p>
<p>Isn’t it a day earlier over there than it is here?</p>
<p>^bluealien
Ah thanks for pointing that out! I thought it was insanely creepy, and I hate the thought of 12-21-12!! But phew :)</p>
<p>Sister heard from son in Japan. In the South. Says things are OK, so far.</p>
<p>180 aftershocks so far. The pictures of devastation are incredible, and of course the death toll continues to rise.</p>
<p>Explosion at one of the nuclear reactors, possibly releasing radiation into the atmosphere. Fear of a meltdown is growing. The evacuation zone has been increased from 3 km to 10 km to 20 km in the last few hours.</p>
<p>ETA – The govt confirms radiation is leaking following the explosion, also that there are indications the reactor is melting down. They are urging the public to remain calm, never a good sign.</p>
<p>Also have a close family member living in Hawaii. He said that in comparison to what’s going on in Japan, this was basically a “non-event” for Hawaii.</p>
<p>danish,</p>
<p>Japan is ahead of the U.S. How many hours ahead depends on where you live. Right now it is ~11:00 am on March 12th in the U.S. on the east coast and ~1:00 am on March 13th in Japan.</p>
<p>I am trying to stay calm, haven’t heard from son in Tokyo since yesterday. I know he is okay and communication very intermittent, but still-no email, facebook, anything. There’s the rational me and the mother me, and right now the mother part is winning out.
My heart is with the people of Japan as we watch the impact of this disaster unfold.</p>
<p>Second spring, is your son there on a study abroad program? His university will probably have a list of students accounted for. I k ow that the local schools reported that they have heard from most of their students who were studying in Japan.</p>