Radio Responds As Japanese Quake Causes Tsunami Affecting Hawaii, U.S. West Coast

Rick Thomas

A powerful earthquake of 8.9 hit JAPAN yesterday afternoon (JAPAN time) -- the most powerful in at least 100 years. The resulting tsunami unleashed walls of water "that swept across rice fields, engulfed towns, dragged houses onto highways and tossed cars and boats like toys, apparently killing hundreds and forcing the evacuations of tens of thousands," reports CNN.

The tsunami took several hours to make its way to HAWAII, where OHANA BROADCASTING Dir./Programming RICK THOMAS tells ALL ACCESS, "By sheer luck we were first on the JAPAN Quake on KUMU. Here in HAWAII, a quake, especially one of such magnitude puts us on mental tsunami alert. The actual alert was issued soon after. KUMU morning guy FRANK SHANER joined me for the Tsunami edition of the Quiet Storm, giving out what vital info was needed while BRUDDAH BRYAN handled KDDB and KQMQ. ODOGG and MICHELLE SHOCKLEY took over KPOI and we kept the info flowing through the thankfully boring Tsunami. The warning continues till 7a but after 9 hrs on the air I am going to sleep!" 

Added THOMAS, "HAWAII's tied to JAPAN are very strong and we are all devastated by this massive quake and resultant Tsunami over there. We also are on alert for strong aftershocks which can trigger further tsunamis."

So far, the tsunami impact to the WEST COAST has been minimal.

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