AuLani, Ko Olina Tsunami Warning

[Luckymomoftwo]

I would think that 7-10 foot waves is nothing, about what they may get on a windy day. Compared to what Japan is seeing, Hawaii has time and can prepare. God bless everyone effected.

It's not just the size of the waves but also all the force behind it and how quick it has been traveling across the ocean.

BEACHCLUB - I don't think anyone posting on here meant any disrespect to the civilians/citizens of Japan or Hawaii. I'm sure they are all concerned for their safety but just forgot to post that or just assumed that everyone knows they are concerned. But that was very respectable for you to point out

 

[Califgirl]

I would think that 7-10 foot waves is nothing, about what they may get on a windy day. Compared to what Japan is seeing, Hawaii has time and can prepare. God bless everyone effected.

A tsunami is not just a big wave, like the regular waves you see every day at the beach. The water level actually rises the 7 - 10 feet and you have a solid wall of water pushing through. And sadly a lot of the destruction comes because the tidal current of the tsunami brings boulders and debris up from the bottom of the ocean and the force of the water propelling these objects onto the shore and into the structures on shore.

So, 7-10 foot waves are nothing to ignore. Of course when you think of Japan getting 23 foot waves, that is downright terrifying!

 

[beachclub]

Sorry I came across as somewhat disgruntled but noone made mention of any care for civillian lives over there, felt I needed to. I guess I express more feeling towards this rather than a material thing.
The OP seemed more worried about the building than anything else that has happened here.
I know this is a disney related board so I will say no more and pray for the people, even if our precious Alunai is broken, the people matter more.

It's not just the size of the waves but also all the force behind it and how quick it has been traveling across the ocean.

BEACHCLUB - I don't think anyone posting on here meant any disrespect to the civilians/citizens of Japan or Hawaii. I'm sure they are all concerned for their safety but just forgot to post that or just assumed that everyone knows they are concerned. But that was very respectable for you to point out

 

[Sammie]

I really shouldn't dignify your post with a response but feel led to. Just because someone is concerned about property in Hawaii doesn't mean there aren't prayers already going up for those directly affected in Japan. Sheesh.

Thank you.

 

[Disneypirate85]

Sorry I came across as somewhat disgruntled but noone made mention of any care for civillian lives over there, felt I needed to. I guess I express more feeling towards this rather than a material thing.
The OP seemed more worried about the building than anything else that has happened here.
I know this is a disney related board so I will say no more and pray for the people, even if our precious Alunai is broken, the people matter more.

Trying to not be offended here , But being the OP and seeing your still "earning your ears" I'll cut ya some slack . I am VERY concerned about the people of Japan Midway Hawaii and West Coast. Its what I do, I'm a Retired Firefighter, Retired Deputy Sheriff and Currently a 911 Dispatcher Supervisor saving lives is MY BUSINESS and has been for over half my life .
Remember just because you read something one way does not always mean thats the way it was written

 

[taaren]

A tsunami is not just a big wave, like the regular waves you see every day at the beach. The water level actually rises the 7 - 10 feet and you have a solid wall of water pushing through. And sadly a lot of the destruction comes because the tidal current of the tsunami brings boulders and debris up from the bottom of the ocean and the force of the water propelling these objects onto the shore and into the structures on shore.

So, 7-10 foot waves are nothing to ignore. Of course when you think of Japan getting 23 foot waves, that is downright terrifying!

Case in point: the tsunami that you saw videos of in Japan was 'only' 13 feet. We had a 9 footer-or-two here, and the waves came several miles up from the shoreline. Pretty much all shoreline roads are evacuated right now, it was kinda weird to have a bunch of cars lining my street tucked into the West Maui Mountains. Business all closed and police asking the island to stay in homes that are not near the ocean so its kind of like our version of a 'snow day', but the schools had a furlough day today anyhow.

However, at least on Maui, the worst of the 'damage' so far has been mud flooded in the lower-lying areas, though we are still on a tsunami watch. I've lived here most of my life and heard the tsunami warning bell go off 2x for a real tsunami in 2 years. Hasn't done that for many many years previous. Unreal.

I'm just glad we haven't lost power or water like we do in most storms. =)

Feel free to be concerned about us just like we worry about Florida whenever there's tropical storms brewing out in your neck of the woods. I'm sure that DISsers are not an unsympathetic lot and know that Disneyland Tokyo is in your thoughts too.

 

[CarolAnnC]

Sorry I came across as somewhat disgruntled but noone made mention of any care for civillian lives over there, felt I needed to. I guess I express more feeling towards this rather than a material thing.
The OP seemed more worried about the building than anything else that has happened here.
I know this is a disney related board so I will say no more and pray for the people, even if our precious Alunai is broken, the people matter more.

To be more specific, this board is for DVC related topics so we are discussing the Tsunami only as it relates to DVC ownership. Please do not expect topics to veer off toward "care for the civilians of Japan" as that is not the purpose of the DVC boards and would be off topic for here. Please visit our Community Board here on the DIS where that type of discussion would be welcomed. Thank you.

 

[Dameen]

I own in the Beach Villas condos on the beach in Lagoon 2 next door to Aulani. Our General manager reported that there was no damage to the buildings or our lagoons. Since I live there off and on you are welcome to ask me about Ko Olina if you need.

Damian

 

[jekjones1558]

I am happy to read Dameen's post about Aulani. We arrived at Kailua Kona on the Big Island on Thursday evening and had to evacuate our ground level oceanfront condo which had 3 foot sea wall. Spent the night in our car and found our rented condo flooded so we had to find a new place. Perhaps the way the Aulani lagoon sits protects it from the force of tsunami waves even at sea level.

 

[mic_KY_mouses]

I am happy to read Dameen's post about Aulani. We arrived at Kailua Kona on the Big Island on Thursday evening and had to evacuate our ground level oceanfront condo which had 3 foot sea wall. Spent the night in our car and found our rented condo flooded so we had to find a new place. Perhaps the way the Aulani lagoon sits protects it from the force of tsunami waves even at sea level.

I was glad to read Daneen's post and even MORE pleased to hear that you are OK on the island of Hawaii. This will surely be a trip for the record books! I have to go look at maps now because I thought Aulani was on the side of the island most in danger. I was born in Hawaii and then lived in Alaska during the 9.2 quake in 1964. Some of the most beautiful places on earth are quake zones.

I am sure the events of this quake will be on the minds of Aulani visitors for at least the near future. Prayers of course, for all of the areas in danger.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Since Aulani is on the "other side" of the island and on a manmade inland bay, I'd not expect the buildings to be compromised there. The first waves were said to not have much impact on the beaches. I think the reef will help on the Aulani side of the island.

The good news is that the Ko Olina Resort, including Disney's Aulani, did not suffer tsunami damage.

Please allow me to correct a few things in the quoted text.

First, the coastline at Aulani runs essentially north-south, and faces toward the west. That means that Ko Olina Resort faces Japan. (It's not "on the 'other side' of the island.")

Next, although Aulani is on a manmade lagoon, I wouldn't characterize it as "a manmade inland bay." It's not inland. It's directly on the coastline. The lagoons are partially open to the ocean ocean, and the barrier between the ocean and the lagoons is not very high. A "wall of water" could wash right over it.

As others have noted in this thread, a tsunami is not the same a high wave breaking on the beach. As the sad footage on television of the devastating tsunami in Japan showed, it's something very different. A tsunami involves a large volume of water.

There are coral reefs off the coast of Ko Olina, but I don't think they're the kind that would offer much protection.

Tsunami damage and deaths a long distance from an earthquake are a legitimate concern. Crescent City, California. Take a look at Crescent City recalls terrifying waves of 1964.

 

[Anal Annie]

I am happy to read Dameen's post about Aulani. We arrived at Kailua Kona on the Big Island on Thursday evening and had to evacuate our ground level oceanfront condo which had 3 foot sea wall. Spent the night in our car and found our rented condo flooded so we had to find a new place. Perhaps the way the Aulani lagoon sits protects it from the force of tsunami waves even at sea level.

Glad to hear you are OK - sad you have to be displaced for your vaca...hope you find another place. I watched a video on youtube of the tsunami breaking over that wall...we were last there in 2006 and watched a gorgeous sunset from that wall...but it's not much protection to the town.

 

[rparmfamily]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=91Wh0_yNJhc&feature=player_embedded
Video of one of the waves coming in at Kailua-Kona, Hawaii (Big Island). This is Ali'i drive, which is only a few feet above sea level, protected from the ocean by a seawall.

Great video, stupid fool who shot it. He could have very easily been swept out, and the seawall and coral in the area would not have been forgiving.

 

[jmatias]

We live on Oahu and had to evacuate since we are beachfront. Was really a long and scary night and very fortunate to not have any damage.

The surges continued all day Friday and it was amazing to see the water surge, retract, over and over again. Currents were going in a lot of different directions.

The water can be so beautiful and so powerful.

Jen