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My dad and the hurricane

By Catherine Toth Fox • August 7, 2014 • Musings, The Daily Dish

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As the Islands prepare for the first hurricane to hit the state in 22 years, my dad goes fishing.

This may seem odd for someone who’s not only Portuguese — it’s an ethnic trait to panic — but a closet prepper. I mean, my parents could probably open a small convenience store in their living room with the amount of toilet paper, canned goods and bottled water they have stocked up at home.

But in every storm, every tsunami warning, every hurricane that’s threatened to hit Hawai‘i, my dad has been pretty calm and collected, as far as I could tell. If he freaked out, I never saw it.

In fact, I remember when Hurricane ‘Iwa hit back in November 1982. It devastated Kaua‘i, Ni‘ihau and parts of O‘ahu with wind gusts exceeding 100 miles per hour and waves reaching 30 feet in height. More than 500 people were homeless as the hurricane destroyed some 2,400 buildings and nearly 2,000 homes across the state. One person died, and another three deaths were indirectly related to the hurricane’s aftermath.

Do you know what I remember?

I was 7 years old, huddled with my siblings in blankets and playing cards by candlelit in our parents’ living room. It was actually fun.

My dad turns 70 today, on the day Hurricane Iselle is poised to hit the Islands with winds exceeding 80 miles per hour and another, stronger hurricane, Julio, right on its tail. It’s the first time since ‘Iniki in 1992 that a hurricane warning has caused such a panic. There are lines at gas stations, runs on bottled water and toilet paper, and people hunkering down at home waiting for the impending storm.

This morning the government announced that all state offices and schools were going to be closed tomorrow and a price freeze on commodities would go into effect through Aug. 15.

This is serious.

And my dad and mom are going out to find okazuya somewhere and eat in a park, probably.

Oh, they’re prepared, I’m sure of it. But my dad will stay cool, like always, and tell me not to worry.

I mean, after 70 years, I think he’s got this whole life thing figured out.

Happy Birthday, Pops!

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About the Author

Catherine Toth Fox

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8 Comments

  • Reply Kim August 7, 2014 at 11:05 am

    What a perfect 70th birthday for Pops! Best wishes. But please ask him to use battery-powered flashlights/lanterns this time instead of candles while playing cards. Don’t want to spark an explosion in case of a gas line break. Hmm. Maybe I got a little Portuguese in me!

  • Reply Ty August 7, 2014 at 11:17 am

    “If you believe you can accomplish everything by “cramming” at the eleventh hour, by all means, don’t lift a finger now. But you may think twice about beginning to build your ark once it has already started raining”

    ― Max Brooks, WWZ

  • Reply Leah August 7, 2014 at 11:19 am

    That was fun to read! Kim, I dint think we have gas lines here. Some people have propane though. Anyways, your post made me realize we don’t have cards. Back to the store.

  • Reply Judy Stewart-Jones August 7, 2014 at 11:54 am

    Happy Birthday to your Dad and hoping you all safely weather the storm. I’m lookng forward to positive “all is well” updates from you!

  • Reply Rashelle August 8, 2014 at 3:31 am

    Well, you know where to go if you need anything! Stay safe!

  • Reply M August 8, 2014 at 10:11 am

    Hello Cat!

    Happy Birthday Mr. Toth!

  • Reply Dennis August 9, 2014 at 11:50 am

    Hi Cat! Happy birthday Dad! It’s wonderful to be in the 70’s. Doctors for every part of your body and medication galore. Glad both of you weathered the storm. Take care with Julio!!

  • Reply WildeOscar August 11, 2014 at 3:14 am

    We can prepare, but the power of Nature’s full force ultimately will have its way. In a hurricane, the individual is but a single soldier in a great war. You’re dad must be one of the best soldiers.

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About Me

About Me
Born and raised on O‘ahu, Hawaiʻi, Catherine Toth Fox has been chronicling her adventures in her blog, The Cat Dish, for more than a decade. She worked as a newspaper reporter in Hawai‘i for 10 years and continues to freelance—in between teaching journalism, hitting the surf and eating everything in sight—for national and local print and online publications. She’s currently the editor of HAWAIʻI Magazine.

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