Report from Puerto Rico - Hurricane Devastation
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Tony Castanha
Sep 23 (4 days ago)
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Part 1?
Aloha y guatiao,
I made it here to a local Burger King to type out this report on a spur of the moment not knowing if it'll get out. I'll type out as much as I can and hit "send" as normal power is almost completely cut off.
Hurricane "Maria" (who was thought to be kind) unleased devastation here in Boriken early Wednesday morning. The winds began at 2am, and by 3am I was already hunkered in the hallway because I thought the windows were going to blow out. This was a category 4 storm with winds of 155 miles per hour (cat 5 is 157mph). By comparison Iniki, which devastated Kaua'i, was a cat 4 with 145 mph winds. Maria tore across the island from the southeast to northwest criscrossing the island. No area has been spared. From where I live in Guaynabo (near San Juan) the intensity of the storm and rains lasted for at least 12 hours. I estimated that from 3am to 9am the winds were unrelentless. It was like freight train after freight train nailing us for 6 hours. You'd like get up to look out the window quickly and in a split second have to jump back into the hallway as the winds wipped up. At times the end of the cycle would result in a big "boom," and then you knew that was a big one resulting in the bang of a tree falling, or objects striking the window (some windows are made of metal and actually very strong), or part of the neighbor's car falling into your yard. I kept watching the wooden telephone pole a good distance from my car. It was solidly planted in the ground and remained fiim until about 7am, when the damn thing broke IN HALF and struck the front left side of the car. Very luckily, it still runs! I would imagine that many like me were just crying out for beautiful Maria to just STOP, or die "down," "down," "down."
Sending... will try to send more later? In closing, people I'm in contact with and see around have been very calm and collective (the Boricua spirit as devastation is nothing new here and the joking continues). Still, many are scrambling now for food, water, ice, etc. Mountain regions are very vulnerable as roads have been covered with trees, debris... so supplies are cut off. This is obviously critical for babies, children, the elderly... The Bello (beautiful) Monte where I live is no long "bello," completely left baren.
Antonio
Sep 23 (4 days ago)
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*Please Forward to Concerned Parties
*************
*************
Part 1?
Aloha y guatiao,
Hurricane "Maria" (who was thought to be kind) unleased devastation here in Boriken early Wednesday morning. The winds began at 2am, and by 3am I was already hunkered in the hallway because I thought the windows were going to blow out. This was a category 4 storm with winds of 155 miles per hour (cat 5 is 157mph). By comparison Iniki, which devastated Kaua'i, was a cat 4 with 145 mph winds. Maria tore across the island from the southeast to northwest criscrossing the island. No area has been spared. From where I live in Guaynabo (near San Juan) the intensity of the storm and rains lasted for at least 12 hours. I estimated that from 3am to 9am the winds were unrelentless. It was like freight train after freight train nailing us for 6 hours. You'd like get up to look out the window quickly and in a split second have to jump back into the hallway as the winds wipped up. At times the end of the cycle would result in a big "boom," and then you knew that was a big one resulting in the bang of a tree falling, or objects striking the window (some windows are made of metal and actually very strong), or part of the neighbor's car falling into your yard. I kept watching the wooden telephone pole a good distance from my car. It was solidly planted in the ground and remained fiim until about 7am, when the damn thing broke IN HALF and struck the front left side of the car. Very luckily, it still runs! I would imagine that many like me were just crying out for beautiful Maria to just STOP, or die "down," "down," "down."
Report from Puerto Rico - Hurricane Devastation
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Sep 26 (1 day ago)
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Please Forward to Concerned Parties
Part II
Part II
Attempting to send out another quick message here as Sunday and Monday were void of finding any internet connection. Firstly, I appreciate the many emails of support you have sent! Wish I could advise on how to help, but it's great to know of your concern. Huracan Maria that covered Puerto Rico on Wednesday was the strongest to hit here since 1928, when category 5 storm San Felipe hit. Before that it was San Ciriaco in 1899 (with 140 mph max winds) that killed 3,000 people in southwest Puerto Rico and brought the over 5,000 Boricua to Hawai'i. Hurricanes seem to "run in the family."
Things in general appear to be deteriorating here as federal government drags it's feet on sending in basic supplies. Long lines everywhere for everything and anything: food, water, gas, kala from banks, pampers, baby food... Anemic Trump team won't allow foreign vessels (Jones Act, sound familar?) to help deliver supplies saying it's "not needed"! On a bright note, water returned yesterday to where I live but not sure for how long. Still. many areas without running water. Hoping that basic food and supplies start arriving this afternoon, not for my sake as I'm okay, but for the keiki and many in apparent dire need, especially in the mountains where access has been cut off in many areas. As I've written about these regions consist of many side roads, side side roads, and side side side roads. Help is urgently needed there. People are still tranquillo (calm and in pretty good spirits). In the evenings, many hanging out outside on the streets due to the heat and humidity, joking, laughing, making the best of the situation, and planning their next move. Out before I get cut off.
Things in general appear to be deteriorating here as federal government drags it's feet on sending in basic supplies. Long lines everywhere for everything and anything: food, water, gas, kala from banks, pampers, baby food... Anemic Trump team won't allow foreign vessels (Jones Act, sound familar?) to help deliver supplies saying it's "not needed"! On a bright note, water returned yesterday to where I live but not sure for how long. Still. many areas without running water. Hoping that basic food and supplies start arriving this afternoon, not for my sake as I'm okay, but for the keiki and many in apparent dire need, especially in the mountains where access has been cut off in many areas. As I've written about these regions consist of many side roads, side side roads, and side side side roads. Help is urgently needed there. People are still tranquillo (calm and in pretty good spirits). In the evenings, many hanging out outside on the streets due to the heat and humidity, joking, laughing, making the best of the situation, and planning their next move. Out before I get cut off.
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Sep 26 (1 day ago)
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Aloha kakou he Hawai'i au!
Some of you may remember Antonio Castanha of Puerto Rico who was active with the Hawaiian Sovereignty Restoration for years. About 4 years back Antonio married and decided to back to his home to help the people of Puerto Rico in their Sovereign Identity.
I believe it is safe to say we of Hawai'i all know well the devastation of Puerto Rico and the rest of the region. During these times the worst of man surfaces its head to take advantage and to promote false needs. And yet, during these worst of man, the best of mankind comes to the aid of great need.
There is extreme need of the people of Puerto Rico. Right of your moment your prayers are the most direct need for the people of Puerto Rico. As yet Antonio has not indicated "valid funding sources" that we may be able to contribute to. Unfortunately, during these times one must be cautious in of using their "credit cards" or sending cash contributions.
I have indicated to Antonio to keep me abreast and where we can make a contribution to such a time of extraordinary need and will keep those here posted informed as to what we can do as individuals or as a i ka pono laulima.
kaulana na pua,
pilipo
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