Huntington Beach, California -
At 3:25 a.m. while still under cover of the darkness of predawn hours, Southern Californian authorities were alerted that a Tsunami was on its way. However, the news did not arrive by way media outlets or government officials, but by word of mouth. And in person by a man claming to have surfed on one of the many title waves that hit Hawaii just hours earlier after Japan experienced an 8.9-magnatude earthquake.
"Aloha," said Koa Palani, 24, walking out of the surf onto the shore of Huntington Beach up to a Lifeguard truck, while carrying his surfboard under one arm and holding a lei in the other. "I bring ill tidings. A Tsunami is on its away. You must evacuate the residents of low-lying areas."
Koa Palani then collapsed on the beach unconscious from exhaustion.
Later, during the ride to the hospital, Koa Palani regained consciousness.
"You don’t understand," continued Koa Palani from under an oxygen mask. "I didn’t heed the Tsunami warning and went suffering off the North Shore anyway."
Before he knew it, Koa Palani was swept into the shipping lanes, riding the crest of a Tsunami all the way to the shore of Southern California.
Koa Palani then suddenly sat up in the back of the ambulance, a sense of urgency and concern flooded his eyes as he removed his oxygen mask to speak, "Did you warn the people?"
After receiving assurances that the Tsunami advisory was sent out, Koa Palani collapsed back into the gurney. Then after a few moments he rose up again, resting on his elbows.
"So is that like a Tsunami warning? Or what?" asked a somewhat confused Koa Palani.
Copyright © 2008-2011 by Robert W. Armijo. All rights reserved.
