It’s Friday! Here’s this week’s installment of the Friday 5.

1. Do you have a hurricane or tornado story?
Days before Thanksgiving Day in 1982, Hurricane Iwa, passed through the Hawaiian islands, leaving devastation in its wake. I was only 9 years old, but I remember being worried, but not frightened. As the gusts blew the roofing paper right off our roof, I recall covering whatever we could inside the house with tarp and plastic to prevent water damage. Already, leaks had sprung in the roof, and pots and pans were situated to catch the water. With a few necessary items, including a large futon comforter, we evacuated to my uncle’s house next door. My uncle’s dog, a Chihuahua mix named Cricket, was relegated to his doghouse to weather the storm. I wanted to bring him in the house, but the adults would not allow it. After all, he was an “outside dog” and did not belong in the house. As we listened to the storm updates on the radio by candlelight and the wind howled outside, all I could think about was that little dog, wet, shivering and scared, inside his little ramshackle doghouse. I was convinced that he would not survive the night. The first thing I did the next day when the storm had passed was to check on him. Thankfully, that resilient little dog was just fine the next morning.

2. When was the last time you flew a kite?
I can’t remember how old I was, but probably around the 6th grade. We bought a cheap plastic kite and I remember running across the field to get it started. Although it took a while, the wind finally caught it and we flew it for a while in the park that afternoon. It’s one of the many fond memories of my childhood with my daddy.

3. Not counting in the midst of a storm, where’s the windiest place you’ve been?
Pali Lookout. High school days.

4. Where did you last see a real windmill?
On the Big Island somewhere — perhaps on the way to South Point? I can’t remember exactly.

5. From which direction is the wind coming right now?
East — from my air conditioner.

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