the fire was so strong that it burnt Tony’s car that was parked in front of the house.

it’s such a creepy feeling looking at this.  fire is my worst fear in the world.

the flames were so high that it totally burnt the neighbors mango tree.  thank goodness it didn’t burn their house down too.  that would have been sad.

what i learned from this:
1. get a safe for your valuables. that was the only thing that survived.
2. make sure you have a smoke alarm. and make sure the batteries are good.
3. make sure you have a working fire extinguisher. check it once a year.
4. and most important, make sure you enjoy your life to the fullest.  materialistic things can be replaced, but life can’t…

Beauty is Back…

Good morning 4:30am.
North shore shoulder high and bumpy.
Ala Moana knee high and clean.
Diamond Head waist high and bumpy.
Trade winds at 25mph.
Sun, showers, and rainbows.
Going to the sea.
Have a wonderful day!

it was right before 8pm last night when i was sleeping and dreaming.  my brother yelling outside “fire!”  i was dazed…  he told me my sisters house is on fire so in my pajamas, we jumped in the car and sped over.  for the 15 minute drive, you couldn’t imagine what my brother and i were thinking.  just totally speechless…

we got there and watched the 10 firetrucks and 40 firemen fighting the fire.  thankfully, they contained it to only one house.  with the wind, fires like this could burn down a whole neighborhood.  thank goodness…   

Hawaii is small so news travels very fast.  family and friends showing up in the rain in total disbelief.  my sister and Tony were very calm, and actually in good spirits.  the most important thing is they escaped out of the house in time.  

Tony was sleeping when my sister saw the house on fire first.  but with the strong trade winds last night, it was like fanning a barbecue.  in minutes, the house was engulfed with sky high red flames.  after seeing this, i came home and had a hard time sleeping last night.  

went back this morning to reality.  mixed feelings for me.  happy that nobody got hurt, but sad that the house my Grandpa built is totally destroyed.  i had so many memories there with my family and i even lived there with my Grandpa when i was going to college.  so yeah, lots of family memories in that house…

Tammy and Tony didn’t have time to grab anything so they basically are left with the clothes on their back. now the Moniz Family will rebuild and have a fresh start.  looking forward and never looking back.  that’s how they live their lives.

i want to thank the firefighters and first responders last night for their heroic efforts.  and want to thank all the people that stopped by to share their aloha.  and also to my concerned friends that have been calling and texting me constantly.  materialistic things are replaceable, but love and support isn’t.  thanks guys!