Hawaii reaching out to Samoa in tsunami aftermath

• 15 years ago

A Honolulu-based C-130 long-range search plane from Air Station Barbers Point arrives in Pago Pago, Wednesday (Sept 30) to deliver aid and assess damage after a powerful earthquake and tsunami hit the U.S. territory

Video from the FBI office in Samoa of the wave in their parking lot.

Hawaii247 compilation by Baron Sekiya and Karin Stanton

A day after the deadly earthquake-tsunami disaster in the southern Pacific, Hawaii residents and businesses are joining the military in  reaching out to help.

The island group is more than 2,500 miles from Hawaii, but the 150 deaths are being keenly felt.

The Coast Guard, FEMA and Air National Guard were among the first to respond, but now airlines, businesses, banks and schools are jumping in.

Federal and state officials were reported heading to Pago Pago on Wednesday afternoon, carrying water, food, clothing, blankets, tents and tarps.

The Navy is sending the frigate USS Ingraham with medical and water supplies, and two Air Force cargo planes are heading out with search and rescue personnel and communications equipment.

Hawaii Red Cross volunteers from Oahu, Maui, Kauai and the Big Island are on their way.

In addition to helping provide water, food and shelter, the Red Cross is assisting in re-connecting families through the Red Cross Safe and Well Web site. Message boards are provided.

Hawaiian Airlines

Hawaiian Airlines dispatched a special relief flight from Honolulu to American Samoa to carry supplies of food, water, bedding and other necessities.

President and CEO Mark Dunkerley said, “We are thankful that all of our employees in American Samoa are accounted for and safe. Now we can turn our attention to bringing as many relief supplies and helping hands to the beleaguered community as possible.”

Hawaiian is also sending employee volunteers to accompany the goods and support relief efforts in Pago Pago.

Relief workers of the U.S. Coast Guard and NOAA, and volunteer physicians from Hawaii Disaster Medical Assistance Team were booked on the flight.

Hawaiian Airlines and Bank of Hawaii have each donated $10,000 worth of supplies to be carried on the special flight. Webco, Walmart and City Mill have also contributed goods and services to the effort.

Hawaiian Airlines has been advised by the Federal Aviation Administration that Pago Pago International Airport is closed due to runway damage.

Hawaiian’s next scheduled flight from Honolulu to Pago Pago, Hawaiian Flight 465, is scheduled for departure at 5 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 1.

The company intends to operate this flight as scheduled, pending confirmation that conditions at Pago Pago International Airport are satisfactory and will support its operations.

UH-Hilo

Message is from Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Dr. Luoluo Hong:

“We’d like to extend our thoughts and prayers to those students and employees whose families have been affected by yesterday’s earthquake and tsunami in Samoa.

The University of Hawaii at Hilo serves not only the state, but also the entire Pacific. As such, we regard Samoa as part of our extended ohana.

Various relief efforts are being planned by students, including the UH-Hilo Samoan Club. For more information about how to contribute to their efforts, contact Ginger Hamilton, Director of the Minority Access & Achievement Program, at gingerh@hawaii.edu.

In addition, students needing assistance to cope with the aftermath of this natural disaster should contact UH-Hilo Counseling Services at 974-7399 to schedule an appointment.”

Donations

The American Red Cross Hawaii State Chapter is collecting donations. Donors should request contributions go directly to the Samoas relief effort.

Call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

Send checks to the Hawaii State Chapter at 4155 Diamond Head Road, Honolulu, HI 96816 or the American Red Cross at P.O. Box 37243, Washington, D.C., 20013.

Visit www.redcross.org

Checks made out to Bank of Hawaii American Samoa Relief Fund can be left at any of the bank’s branches.