As Saturday's tsunami scare here and Hurricane Sandy's current attack on the East Coast of the United States prove, natural disasters can happen any time.
This weekend's tsunami was the third in three years here. For whatever reason, seismological events seem to be increasing and that means there will be more threats to Hawaii.
On the Mainland, analysts are saying that Sandy is occurring right near the end of the hurricane season (usually thought of as May through November). There is no denying, though, that the combination of a cold blast from the north and the hurricane from the south have combined to create a monster storm.
We write often here about disaster preparedness. Our relationship with the Hawaii Chapter of the American Red Cross serves as a constant reminder that disaster is just one earthquake or tropical storm away.
It seems obvious that anyone living on an island would have flashlights, a battery-powered or hand-cranked radio, a cellphone, a first-aid kit, lots of batteries and lots of water. In short, all of us should have a preparedness kit. The events are going to happen - it is a question of when, not if.
Visiting the state Red Cross website - hawaiiredcross.org - can help you prepare. On the left side of the home page, click on Programs & Services, then on Disaster Preparedness.
And, oh yeah, while you are visiting the page, make a donation to the Red Cross. Their volunteers assist in disasters everywhere.
(Disclaimer: Maui News Publisher Joe Bradley was on the state board of directors of the American Red Cross, Hawaii State Chapter, and is chairman of the Maui County Advisory Board of the American Red Cross.)
* Editorials reflect the opinion of the publisher.
