| Author | Content |
Metrosideros
Keaau, HI
August 05, 2009
05:05 PM Post #6911481
| There's a hurricane on the way. Projected path to run right into the Big Island! |
Dutchlady1
Naples, FL
(Zone 10a)
August 05, 2009
05:23 PM Post #6911546
| Is this Felicia? That is still a few days out isn't it?
Hope you'll dodge it... |
Dutchlady1
Naples, FL
(Zone 10a)
August 05, 2009
05:29 PM Post #6911566
| Jeff Masters' Blog says:
While Felicia is an impressive hurricane now, its days of glory will be short-lived. Felicia is currently passing over a region of warm sea surface temperatures (SSTs) of 28.5°C, a full 2.5°C above the 26°C threshold needed to sustain a hurricane. These warm waters also extend to great depth, as seen on the Ocean Heat Content image (Figure 2). Felicia's west-northwest track will take the storm into a region of cooler waters with lower Oceanic Heat Content beginning tonight, which should induce a steady weakening trend beginning Thursday night. By Friday morning, SSTs should fall to 26°C, and decline to 25°C by Saturday. While wind shear is expected to remain in the low to moderate range over the next five days, 5 - 15 knots, the cooler SSTs should be able to significantly weaken the hurricane. By Monday, when most of the computer models indicate that Felicia will be nearing the Hawaiian Islands, the storm will be at tropical depression strength with top winds of about 35 mph, according to the latest runs of the HWRF and GFDL models. Exactly how close Felicia will get to the Hawaiian Islands is a bit tricky to call right now, since the hurricane is interacting with nearby Tropical Storm Enrique. Whenever two storms get within 900 miles of each other, they tend to rotate around a common center in a dance called the Fujiwhara Effect. This sort of storm-storm interaction is a complicated affair not well-handled by the computer forecast models.
|
Dutchlady1
Naples, FL
(Zone 10a)
August 05, 2009
05:46 PM Post #6911624
| http://www.wunderground.com/blog/JeffMasters/comment.html?en...
my favorite weather site for tropical weather. |
Metrosideros
Keaau, HI
August 05, 2009
08:19 PM Post #6912153
| Thanks Dutchlady. Very informative. |
Braveheartsmom
Kihei, HI
(Zone 11)
August 06, 2009
01:21 AM Post #6913150
| Keeping close watch on the storm just in case although we seem to be a little more protected than the BI - usually. Got plenty of bbq gas in, and food, water etc in case of electrical outage, which is what usually happens to us.
Keeping my fingers crossed for you folks on the BI.
Jen |
tropicbreeze
noonamah
Australia
August 06, 2009
10:31 AM Post #6914049
| Jeff Masters runs a good weather blog and gets a lot of input from both professional and amateur meteorologists. The JTWC in Hawaii also puts out a lot of good information. The NHC in Florida tends to be more cautious but even they predict the storm to have collapsed short of Hawaii. They put it down to 30 knots in 120 hours, still to the east of the islands.
Hawaii is fairly protected from cyclones by the remnants of the California current which sends cold water towards that part of the ocean keeping the sea temperatures down and making it nearly impossible for cyclones to intensify or even maintain their strength. But there'll probably be a lot of rain out of it. |
westraad
Xai Xai
Mozambique
August 06, 2009
11:46 AM Post #6914353
| hope that hurricane misses you!
i was just wondering Dutchlady1, are you actually Dutch? you know, the language Afrikaans which we speak at home is very similar to Dutch.
westraad |
Dutchlady1
Naples, FL
(Zone 10a)
August 06, 2009
11:50 AM Post #6914364
| I am 100% Dutch born, and grew up there; I left Holland when I was 24 and have never returned, other than for brief visits.
And we Dutch consider Afrikaans a 'funny' form of Dutch LOL. No offense meant... it just sounds that way to us.
Baaje Dankie
|
Metrosideros
Keaau, HI
August 06, 2009
01:12 PM Post #6914679
| I was wondering if by Dutch you meant Dutch (Holland) or Deutch (Germany). I am part Pennsylvania Deutch (though most folks say Dutch)!
Update on the storm:
It is now a Category 4 storm with 138 mph winds. It is expected to weaken and become a tropical storm or tropical depression by the time it hits Hilo on Monday.
Still wise to tie down anything that can fly!
|
Islandshari
Kwajalein
Marshall Islands
(Zone 11)
August 06, 2009
11:51 PM Post #6917316
| Most of these type of storms form out here where I am. We have had weeks now of extremely wet weather, with weird winds then complete stillness. I sure hope that all you get is gentle rains and a nice breeze. Take care, be safe and don't do anything silly. No sense tempting the elements!
Yokwe,
Shari |
goofybulb
El Paso, TX
(Zone 8a)
August 06, 2009
11:59 PM Post #6917350
| OOOOPS! That's hurricane-strength winds... Here's hoping that the storm will dissolve completely! I really hope and pray for a good prognosis! Take care, my Island friends!
Hugs,
Alexandra |
westraad
Xai Xai
Mozambique
August 07, 2009
01:46 AM Post #6917537
| Dutchlady meant netherlands, Deutch as in German is quite different, though related. ek verstaan dat ons snaaks praat vir julle, mevrou, lekker om te kan gesels. verstaan jy? |
Dutchlady1
Naples, FL
(Zone 10a)
August 07, 2009
06:15 AM Post #6917701
| Ja hoor dat versta ik allemaal. It's Dutch in my case, as in The Netherlands...
Tot ziens!
 |
ardesia
Saint Helena Island, SC
(Zone 9a)
August 07, 2009
12:13 PM Post #6918725
| Looks like Felicia is wearing out but a hurricane of any catagory is scary. You have to prepare even though you know it probalby won't be anywhere near you. We have it down to a science but it is sitll a PITA. |
AlohaHoya
Keaau, HI
(Zone 11)
August 07, 2009
01:00 PM Post #6918899
| We watch it...but don't obsess about it...whatever happens, happens! Personally, I would rather it NOT happen (too many big trees around)... It is down to a H2 now... At sea, anything can happen. Remember H. Iniki!!!! The seas are warming up and we have a long season to go!!!! |
lourspolaire
Delray Beach, FL
(Zone 10a)
August 07, 2009
04:03 PM Post #6919526
| Hi.
I was watching The Weather Channel with my breakfast this morning and the first item that came on was about Felicia. They were forecasting that she might peter out before getting to TBI. It started my day on an optimistic note. But you are right, there is still most of the season ahead of us. In our case, they start tracking the systems just west of the coast of Africa. Some are headed our way, some not. Gail and I have been living in South-East Florida for 4 years now but we never saw a hurricane. At first, I wanted to see a hurricane. Now, I'm not see keen on that. It can wait. We're in no hurry.
Take care, all.
Sylvain. |
Islandshari
Kwajalein
Marshall Islands
(Zone 11)
August 07, 2009
04:09 PM Post #6919538
| Today, so far (it is only 8:00 am here) the sun is shining brightly, all my plants are blooming like crazy from all the rain of the last couple of weeks, a slight breeze...altogether gorgeous. Now that could change in a flash, but it's the prettiest morning in a long time, so hopefully there will be a respite in the storms coming your way.
Yokwe,
Shari
|
AlohaHoya
Keaau, HI
(Zone 11)
August 07, 2009
07:10 PM Post #6920254
| Well...she WAS projected to pass over us as a TD which is kind of benign...now it is projected to pass over - at night on Monday as a TS. Hope it turns around and goes down again... This will be a good test to see if the mountains have much effect... |
tropicbreeze
noonamah
Australia
August 07, 2009
07:25 PM Post #6920296
| The remnants of Felicia are expected to only be carrying winds to 25 knots by the time they reach Hawaii (157 degrees west). There's a pressure ridge to the north which is deviating Felicia's track southwards making it possible that it may even pass to the south of the islands. The sea surface temps in that area are too low to breath life into the system plus there's high wind shear there as well. Although, even when winds abate these systems still carry a lot of water. It's nature's way of circulating warm and humid air into the temperate zones. |
AlohaHoya
Keaau, HI
(Zone 11)
August 07, 2009
07:37 PM Post #6920339
| Good...tho it is still early. The winds are projected from the W quadrant which the trees are not braced for...we loose lots of trees in really strong Westerlies (aka Kona Winds)... |
Metrosideros
Keaau, HI
August 07, 2009
08:17 PM Post #6920494
| Do you have your canoe and paddle ready Carol?
Our biggest thing to deal with will probably be something like 24 inches of rain in 24 hours!
Good time to make a pot of soup! |
AlohaHoya
Keaau, HI
(Zone 11)
August 07, 2009
10:36 PM Post #6921073
| YES!!! Good idea that pot of soup!!
Remember when we got something like 37" in 24 hours...! Yikes!
Better go put oil in the lamps and break out the candles!!!
I was thinking of fertilizing before it hit...but with that much rain, it will just wash away...better afterwards!! |
Metrosideros
Keaau, HI
August 07, 2009
10:50 PM Post #6921119
| I'm hoping my beans, peppers, and taro still have leaves after! |
tropicbreeze
noonamah
Australia
August 07, 2009
10:58 PM Post #6921148
| I never fertilize in the wet season, but if you have rain all year round it would be a bit difficult. |
AlohaHoya
Keaau, HI
(Zone 11)
August 08, 2009
02:58 AM Post #6921657
| We fertilize every 10inches of rain...unless it is particularly rainy, then we wait so it won't get washed away!!!! |
tropicbreeze
noonamah
Australia
August 08, 2009
03:21 AM Post #6921682
| And we're still in the depths of winter here, the temp only got up to 34C today. The UV index only managed 11. Might need that pot of soup here. |
westraad
Xai Xai
Mozambique
August 08, 2009
04:24 AM Post #6921711
| your winter temps sound very the same as here, Tbreeze. the coldest it has gotten in the past ten years here was a week ago, 11 degrees Celsius! whats the hottest temps you get there during the summer? do you have a dry heat, or a humid heat?
|
ardesia
Saint Helena Island, SC
(Zone 9a)
August 08, 2009
05:01 AM Post #6921720
| It is kind of weird. When there is a storm coming this way we pack up the dog and cat, grab the insurance info and head inland. We live at 14.5' and under certain circumstances it is prudent to get out of here. But you guys on the BI don't have a lot of "inland" that is accessible. |
lourspolaire
Delray Beach, FL
(Zone 10a)
August 08, 2009
10:24 AM Post #6922308
| Hi, everyone.
Ardesia, 14.5 feet above sea level is relatively high compared to Florida. When I got here, we went to Everglades National Park. Along the road, we found a sing that read: 3 feet 4 inches above sea level. We drove on and about 5 miles later, another sign read: 3 feet 9 inches above sea level. I told everyone I thought I had felt my ears pop. They all laughed.
Take care,
Sylvain. |
ardesia
Saint Helena Island, SC
(Zone 9a)
August 08, 2009
11:45 AM Post #6922575
| LOL, I have seen those signs in FL and it is hysterical. 14.5 is the elevation where our house is. Just about two hundred feet away however the elevation is a big 0. |
Metrosideros
Keaau, HI
August 08, 2009
12:12 PM Post #6922641
| The worst place to be in a storm in Hawai'i is down by the coast. A few years ago more than a dozen houses were destroyed along the Puna coast in a storm.
At 900 ft. elev. we don't have to worry about that up here, but as Carol said there may be some trees that come down. |
Islandshari
Kwajalein
Marshall Islands
(Zone 11)
August 08, 2009
05:09 PM Post #6923606
| Highest point on Kwaj is Mt. Olympus...a 67 ft. man-made hill that was intended as a missle silo, but never used for that purpose. When we have tropical storms, we have an evacuation plan...but it is usually best to not try to go out to our "designated area"...better to just head upstairs...winds can't blow you away if you don't leave the house! Even the powers that be have said, if you have an upstairs, just go there. We don't get to many bad storms, but when we do they are doozy's! People have t-shirts: "I survived Tropical Storm Roy"...
Yokwe,
Shari |
Dutchlady1
Naples, FL
(Zone 10a)
August 08, 2009
06:18 PM Post #6923843
| I have a T-shirt 'I survived Hurricane Charlie Friday 13th of August " |
lourspolaire
Delray Beach, FL
(Zone 10a)
August 08, 2009
08:46 PM Post #6924297
| Let me tell you a true story. May I be struck dead if I lie.
One of the highest points I have visited in Hawai'i is Nu'uanu Pali. I wouldn't go back there on a bet. The place is haunted during the daytime, for crying out loud. There we were taking in the view when a gust of wind suddenly pushed ME away from the observation deck's railing and I swear I heard ghosts howling in my ears. I flew to my car, the wind at my back and I got out of there on 2 wheels, I tell you what.
How I managed not to soil and disgrace myself is beyond me. When we returned to our hotel, I was still pretty shaken. I mentionned going to Nu'anu Pali to the concierge. She asked me if I heard the ghosts. I just looked at her. I didn't answer but she gave me one of those knowing glances. We changed the subject quickly. I want to return to Hawai'i but never there. Based on that eerie experience, I refused to even set foot near Pearl Harbor.
Take care, all.
Sylvain. |
AlohaHoya
Keaau, HI
(Zone 11)
August 08, 2009
09:03 PM Post #6924359
| Cool story, Sylvain... There are ghosts all around here...some places more noticeable. There were ghosts in the hospital where I had my back surgery...and green ti leaves put on the doors going into the theatres to keepthem away. Yikes!!! Not all ghosts are naughty... |
Metrosideros
Keaau, HI
August 08, 2009
09:11 PM Post #6924385
| Very mysterious! |
Metrosideros
Keaau, HI
August 09, 2009
12:08 AM Post #6924950
| Storm update.
The hurricane is unexpectedly holding and may remain a hurricane when it hits.
The projected path will now affect Maui as well as Hawai'i Island.
All County beaches from Laupahoehoe to Ka'u will be closed starting Sunday afternoon, tomorrow.
Take care folks! |
Braveheartsmom
Kihei, HI
(Zone 11)
August 09, 2009
12:50 AM Post #6925046
| Aloha all,
Well, we spent a good part of the morning filling sand bags, just in case. Our house is on the bottom road of a rather steep area, and my drive way slopes down toward the house so we thought it might be a good idea to try to be prepared THIS time - well, as much as you ever can be. We managed 50 sand bags in all - wheew, it's hard work! We have 25 in place along the foundations, and a stack of 25 ready to put across the top of the driveway if needed.
On Maui whenever there is a hurrican watch and we have to "get prepared" the stores quickly run out of toilet paper, rice, water and BEER - in that order! Just shows you what is important in life doesn't it?
LOL Sylvain, that was a friendly ghost up there on the Pali, warning you not to go so close to the edge...but don't go messing with any young, beautiful girl walking along the roadway - it might just be Madam Pele. Personally I love the menehune that I know are living in my garden!
Hope you guys on the BI don't get too much in the way of rain - I see that you are spreading the wealth this time, and sending some our way - mahalo we need some, but not too much please!
|
AlohaHoya
Keaau, HI
(Zone 11)
August 09, 2009
01:21 AM Post #6925119
| Will do our best, Jenny. Just how many inches would you like? After the rain you get?!!! HAHA. Not liking the idea of strong W winds and brittle eucalyptus just W. f the house = falling down on house? Oh...maybe I could get a new one!!! Smaller and tighter construction... We'll see!!!!! |
Braveheartsmom
Kihei, HI
(Zone 11)
August 09, 2009
02:45 AM Post #6925178
| Oh Lord, aren't eucalyptus beasts in windy weather! I think they are also known as "widow makers" aren't they? I will be keeping my fingers X'ed for you guys on the BI although by all accounts we are going to get it full force too.
Weird how every TV channel says something different. I really like the Jeff Masters site that Hetty told us about and have added it to "my favorites" both at home and at work. Thanks Hetty.
The tourists at work are quite frightened, but they are in a concrete buildings so I think they can ride it out quite safely. Funnily enough no-one is asking how they get OFF the island - you remember the mess we had at Honolulu airport when the electricity went down for hours after the earthquake hit? Hopefully they have a back up generator now so at least the bathrooms work this time.
As far as I know we haven't be notified of any beach closures yet - the local surfers are waxing up their boards and the coconut wireless is a-buzz with where the best surf is likely to be...
Soup sounds just the ticket Dave. I am making bread in the morning so that we will be at least be able to have ham sandwiches! I don't think there will be much fruit left on the trees because heavy rain brings down things like the starfruit en masse. I am picking tomorrow morning and taking them down to the food kitchen and over to work so they won't go to waste.
Hang tight over there, it might be getting a little sloppy.
Jen |
Dutchlady1
Naples, FL
(Zone 10a)
August 09, 2009
07:15 AM Post #6925299
| Wunderground (Jeff Masters' blog) is a very good place when a storm is approaching. A lot of sensible and knowledgeable people there. I make it a point to stay away from the weather channels on TV who SALIVATE when a hurricane comes, gives them validation...
You all be safe... |
ardesia
Saint Helena Island, SC
(Zone 9a)
August 09, 2009
08:10 AM Post #6925387
| We worry about a Eucalyptus nana that could easily take out out home or my neighbor's - depending on the wind direction. I know they would be pleased if we removed it but is is so pretty.
Around here we paint our porch ceilings a pale blue to keep the unfriendly "haints" away. As to ghosts, the Lowcountry abounds with them. Having a friendly ghost adds significantly to the value of your home and if you see the Gray Man walking the beaches of Pawley's Island you had best skedaddle to higher ground for surely a big blow is nearby.
I can't believe my ears but I swear I just heard on the radio that Taiwan had 80" of rain yesterday.
Hang on tight friends and batten own all those d@.. flower pots that multiply around the garden. |
AlohaHoya
Keaau, HI
(Zone 11)
August 09, 2009
01:10 PM Post #6926364
| Yup...Wunderground Weather is GREAT!!! Gee...I remember Jeff Masters when he was just a puppy!!!!!
Re: Masters, Felicia is now a Tropical Storm...but that still has up to 73mph winds which could take down my greenhouse with no effort at all!!! We are securing all we can from the W thru to the S which will be the winds that we get. Unfortunately, that leaves my greenhouse, out in the orchards, pretty vulnerable.
AY Jenny...and I was just going to offer to trade Avos for Mangos...we probably will have a lot of neither after Tuesday!!!
Thinking I should get a box of kitty litter going inside as our kitties are outdoor/indoor but will probably balk at going outside with those winds!!!
|
Metrosideros
Keaau, HI
August 09, 2009
01:21 PM Post #6926404
| Our local weather just reported, via a weather plane that is flying over the storm, that the storm is still a category one hurricane with 85 mph winds, but slowing.
It is expected to be a tropical storm when it hits tomorrow with sustained winds of 40 mph and gusts up to 60 mph. It will bring lots & lots of rain!
Beaches from Laupahoehoe to South Kona will now be closed; the surf is going to be quite dangerous. |
ardesia
Saint Helena Island, SC
(Zone 9a)
August 09, 2009
02:53 PM Post #6926674
| Have you gotten all your baby hoyas in the house yet? We'll all hope for nothing more than the 60 mph wind gusts. Your GH should be able to handle that. |
LouC
Desoto, TX
(Zone 8a)
August 09, 2009
03:11 PM Post #6926753
| Will continue to watch and wait and pray for your safety. The weather is the one thing mankind still cannot even begin to control.
PK |
Metrosideros
Keaau, HI
August 09, 2009
03:28 PM Post #6926813
| Interestingly, the weather channel says that it is sunny out here right now. Out the door it appears to be raining!
Guess I should keep the door shut to avoid confusion. |
Dutchlady1
Naples, FL
(Zone 10a)
August 09, 2009
03:32 PM Post #6926827
| LOL
But yes, be safe guys!! |
AlohaHoya
Keaau, HI
(Zone 11)
August 09, 2009
03:58 PM Post #6926938
| Weather, I guess, is anyone's interpretation. A sailing couple we know didn't have a weather band radio and when asked how they know what the weather is they said, "we look out the windows". Nothing you can do about it, anyway... |
ToucanOasis
Tilaran
Costa Rica
August 09, 2009
04:01 PM Post #6926948
| Hang tight bro. I've been in 5 big hurricanes including Hugo, in Croix, and Andrew in Miami.
Make sure the food and water are stored up and "hurricane proof".
That goes for all of you people. Hope for the best but be ready for the other.
Beans come first. Ornamentals are second priority.
Gotta go feed my Tilapia !
|
Dutchlady1
Naples, FL
(Zone 10a)
August 09, 2009
04:34 PM Post #6927047
| Anyone who has been through Andrew and lived to tell has my respect. |
ardesia
Saint Helena Island, SC
(Zone 9a)
August 09, 2009
04:37 PM Post #6927061
| Amen to that. Hugo AND Andrew is really something. |
AlohaHoya
Keaau, HI
(Zone 11)
August 09, 2009
05:45 PM Post #6927411
| AH...the PPP strikes again!!!! (PhicklePhinger of Phate)...The latest report has the center of NOW a Tropical Depression going further North and the outer edge just glancing us to the S. AND predicted to hit a day later...so we will get plenty rain...what else is new!!!
Good news for us...hope it brings welcome rain to other parts of the islands, too!!! |
Islandshari
Kwajalein
Marshall Islands
(Zone 11)
August 09, 2009
05:55 PM Post #6927447
| Here's hoping that it is nourishing rather than devastating... be safe.
Yokwe,
Shari |
LouC
Desoto, TX
(Zone 8a)
August 09, 2009
05:56 PM Post #6927448
| Thinking of you at the bottom of the hill, Jen.
PK |
Dutchlady1
Naples, FL
(Zone 10a)
August 09, 2009
05:57 PM Post #6927453
| Looks like all the islands will see some rain from this storm. |
goofybulb
El Paso, TX
(Zone 8a)
August 09, 2009
07:12 PM Post #6927703
| Just take care, stay safe and dry there! Thinking of you!
Hugs,
Alexandra |
tropicbreeze
noonamah
Australia
August 10, 2009
01:08 AM Post #6928965
| As mentioned earlier, I think heavy rain will be your biggest problem. These systems are capable of carrying a lot of water, even well after the winds have dissipated. |
Metrosideros
Keaau, HI
August 10, 2009
02:00 PM Post #6930742
| Storm Update:
The storm still has 46 mph winds, and weakening. The eye is still expected to pass between Maui and Hawai'i.
Hawai'i and Maui Counties are on Storm Watch and Flood Watch till Tuesday evening. Oahu from Tuesday till Wednesday.
Kaua'i will miss most of the storm action.
Lots of rain coming. Luckily the winds are going away. |
Dutchlady1
Naples, FL
(Zone 10a)
August 10, 2009
02:05 PM Post #6930757
| That sounds better... I'm sure you al in the islands are used to lots of rain, and without the major winds you should not get any damage, correct? Unless you are in a low lying area.
Thanks for keeping us posted. |
Metrosideros
Keaau, HI
August 10, 2009
02:17 PM Post #6930808
| Oh yes, "used to lots of rain"! 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
AlohaHoya
Keaau, HI
(Zone 11)
August 10, 2009
02:21 PM Post #6930828
| Rain? Used to it? !!@&^%$***&^%$#@)(***!
It has been a VERY wet summer... You can hear the weeds out there giggling as they produce more and more seed!!!!
Carol |
Metrosideros
Keaau, HI
August 10, 2009
02:37 PM Post #6930899
| Sorry Carol, can't hear the weeds today. The rain is too loud! |
extranjera
Mérida
Mexico
(Zone 11)
August 10, 2009
03:27 PM Post #6931064
| Good luck and I hope you stay dry. I second (or third) the value of Jeff Masters and Wunderground, we check him daily during this time of year. So far, so good for us. El Nińo effects tend to keep the number of named storms down in the Caribbean. We got 2 direct hits from Cat 5 storms on our beach condo in 2005, that was a bad year for us and hurricanes. Not so bad since then, Dean brushed us and caused damage from the surge but not the wind. At least with hurricanes we get some warning that they MAY be coming unlike earthquakes where I lived before or tornadoes which would scare me silly. The hard part is that most of the time you get ready and watch the updates constantly and then they turn or collapse, it's good but it dulls your readiness. |
ardesia
Saint Helena Island, SC
(Zone 9a)
August 10, 2009
04:14 PM Post #6931244
| It's funny but I always heard that weeds were the only things that grew in a drought but after this wet summer I find they grow faster still in the rain. Chamber Bitter, or gripe weed, is giving me the gripes right now.
We use Wunderground all the time and because we live on a sea island and there are often storms all around us, checking out the Wundermap (second item on the menu under the radar screen) is a huge help. It let's me know if I have enough time to walk the dog or whatever.
I'm in the process of re-potting many plants. All the rain saturated the soil to the point where the perlite floated away.
Good luck with Felicia, 45 mph winds are unpleaseant but doable, |
mlassi
Kealakekua, HI
August 10, 2009
04:22 PM Post #6931269
| I left work early to make sure stuff is secured. My road will wash out for sure. Figures the one time my sister comes to visit this happens. its getting cloudy now in Kainaliu. |
Metrosideros
Keaau, HI
August 10, 2009
04:24 PM Post #6931278
| Take care over there Mlassi. You'll be close to the eye of the storm. |
mlassi
Kealakekua, HI
August 10, 2009
04:58 PM Post #6931392
| ty. Hopefully we wont get much wind. You stay safe too! |
AlohaHoya
Keaau, HI
(Zone 11)
August 10, 2009
05:04 PM Post #6931414
| Its not the speed of the wind that gets us...it is the direction. All of our trees grow braced against the prevailing winds from the E. quadrant...so strong trades are NO BIG DEAL. But the Westerlies, especially on the high points, cause havoc!!!
Have fun out there...the worry part is gone now just anxious for it to come and get over with so we can get on with it! |
Metrosideros
Keaau, HI
August 10, 2009
06:58 PM Post #6931862
| The storm is moving North, and is now expected to hit Maui directly. |
AlohaHoya
Keaau, HI
(Zone 11)
August 10, 2009
07:19 PM Post #6931931
| Go figger...the sun is out and it is windy. I love it!!!!! |
RachelLF
Rural Retreat, VA
August 10, 2009
09:20 PM Post #6932416
| Wishing all safe keep's on all the Island's there.
Rachel |
themoonhowl
Prairieville, LA
(Zone 9a)
August 10, 2009
11:45 PM Post #6933185
| I grew up in Hurricane Alley, 45 miles up Bayou Lafourche from the Gulf and Grand Isle Louisiana. We moved to So La the year Audrey hit and have been in La since...Audrey, Florence, Betsey, Camille, Hugo,Ivan Andrew, Allison, Katrina, Rita, Gustav...my Dad was with Civil Defense and my Mom was director of Nursing services at the local hospital...we never got to evacuate to a hotel like the rest of the folks and swim and play...we got to count rooftops as they spun by.
Good thoughts to you all, be safe. |
goofybulb
El Paso, TX
(Zone 8a)
August 11, 2009
01:06 AM Post #6933364
| Everyone alright? Dry? Thinking of you,
Alexandra |
AlohaHoya
Keaau, HI
(Zone 11)
August 11, 2009
01:24 AM Post #6933406
| Well, the folks in the northern islands are going to get the storm but, as of tonight, we are getting nothing directly. We are even 'out of the cone of influence'!!!! Whew...a relief for us but the storm is not a hurricane anymore...will be a TD most likely but it seems unpredictable!!! |
ardesia
Saint Helena Island, SC
(Zone 9a)
August 11, 2009
05:55 AM Post #6933611
| Hurry and wait, what a PITA. Glad you will be safe and hope the other islands are spared also. |
tropicbreeze
noonamah
Australia
August 11, 2009
07:02 AM Post #6933682
| The waters in that area are too cold to support a system like that which Felicia had developed into further south. On top of that the wind shear I mentioned before knocked the top off of it. Felicia is now in virtually 2 parts. The bottom part is moving east through the islands. The upper part is close to completely sheared off and out of alignment with the bottom. Increasing wind shear will complete the dismemberment. But there's a lot of moisture drawn up into Felicia that's still to come down. That's where the main problem will be. And tree roots in soft waterlogged soil don't hold well in any sort of wind. |
lourspolaire
Delray Beach, FL
(Zone 10a)
August 11, 2009
08:15 AM Post #6933816
| Hi.
I'm following developments with great interest. The Islands are in my prayers. To you all, please sound off as soon as you can when the storm has passed so we know you're all safe and sound and can breathe a sigh of relief.
Take care.
Pu'ole, a.k.a. Sylvain. |
LouC
Desoto, TX
(Zone 8a)
August 11, 2009
11:37 AM Post #6934404
| Have been to Jennies and she is truly at the bottom of a hill with a street feeding directly to her short driveway. Very exposed should it rain hard. Hope it misses her. Her home is beautiful and does not need to be flooded.
PK |
Metrosideros
Keaau, HI
August 11, 2009
01:05 PM Post #6934791
| It's a beautiful day out right now.
The storm hits in 10 hours.
It has moved North and the Big Island will miss most of it.
Hope Jenn and everyone North of here is ok; still lots of rain coming with the dissipating storm. |
themoonhowl
Prairieville, LA
(Zone 9a)
August 11, 2009
01:09 PM Post #6934804
| weather spot on CNN is showing intrepid surfers on the beaches, said they had 1500 contacts with life guards referring surfers to safer beaches...You weren't one of them were you Dave...grin |
AlohaHoya
Keaau, HI
(Zone 11)
August 11, 2009
01:25 PM Post #6934889
| I think this is one of the most beautiful mornings we have had ALL SUMMER!!!!!! Time to GARDEN!!!!! |
Metrosideros
Keaau, HI
August 11, 2009
01:27 PM Post #6934907
| Hi Moon, more likely to find me in the forest than on the beach, but I do record the rare plants of the coastline, walking the Puna coast periodically.
Here is Ischaemum byrone, a Listed Endangered coastal grass of Puna, Hilo, and the Hana coast of Maui.
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
Metrosideros
Keaau, HI
August 11, 2009
01:31 PM Post #6934923
| Gardening sounds perfect Carol!
I've already fertilized my beans, peppers, and taro. Thankfully spared from the storm! |
themoonhowl
Prairieville, LA
(Zone 9a)
August 11, 2009
01:44 PM Post #6934963
| Katrina sent a 22 foot storm surge up the coast when she hit. There are pictures of beautiful old homes before the surge reduced to pilings or concrete slabs afterwards...never underestimate the power of water. |
AlohaHoya
Keaau, HI
(Zone 11)
August 11, 2009
05:02 PM Post #6935666
| AMEN. We sailed the Pacific for 6 years in a 43' boat. Water is to be respected and admired.
Beautiful day. Gosh...bring on the threats of storms... |
Braveheartsmom
Kihei, HI
(Zone 11)
August 12, 2009
01:40 PM Post #6938898
| Thought you might like to know that because we took hours filling up sand bags we have had no flooding at all. Heavy rain since 1am but the gound is absorbing it well. All the trees are washed clean from the unrelenting lava dust and if the sun was out I am sure they would sparkle.
Sitting here at my computer upstairs I can't see the ocean or the West Maui Mountains at all - it's like being in a grey cocoon. Now how to persuade the dogs to go out for a walk. They are absolutely convinced that they will shrink if they get wet from rain. Rain expected all day... |
Metrosideros
Keaau, HI
August 12, 2009
01:44 PM Post #6938909
| Good to hear that the storm brought some good your way Jenn.
Now that the storm has missed us, we need some rain on the Big Island! |
Braveheartsmom
Kihei, HI
(Zone 11)
August 12, 2009
01:48 PM Post #6938917
| Forgot this, a picture taken last evening on our after dinner walk on the beach. As you can see we didn't have the high surf that hit the island, but the sky looked ominous... 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
LouC
Desoto, TX
(Zone 8a)
August 12, 2009
02:00 PM Post #6938952
| So glad that everything is fine so far. In years of camping we found that if we went to bed prepared for rain, there would none. If just left everything helter/skelter, there would be an unplanned deluge. Being prepared and not needing it is the best way to go. Is it washing out your lower garden?
PK |
AlohaHoya
Keaau, HI
(Zone 11)
August 12, 2009
03:29 PM Post #6939201
| Beautiful day here too...but we are thinking rain will be coming...wind from the SE...all the pundits say big rain...and with our rainfall average, they are seldom wrong!!!! |
Metrosideros
Keaau, HI
August 12, 2009
04:36 PM Post #6939428
| Sounds good Carol!
I hate having to run water out to the garden. |
Islandshari
Kwajalein
Marshall Islands
(Zone 11)
August 12, 2009
05:40 PM Post #6939622
| Yesterday and today (so far) have been beautiful...sunny and HOT! But the previous two days were rain constantly, and it left here headed your way, so if this storm doesn't get you any rain, the system just leaving here will for sure! Hope it will be gentle and nourishing... So very happy that everyone is safe, as Christi said...much better to be prepared and have nothing serious happen.
Yokwe,
Shari
|
ardesia
Saint Helena Island, SC
(Zone 9a)
August 12, 2009
08:39 PM Post #6940250
| All good news. Let's hope the rest of the seaseon is as gentle. |
lourspolaire
Delray Beach, FL
(Zone 10a)
August 12, 2009
10:03 PM Post #6940613
| I'm so happy to hear that nothing bad happened to you guys. May the rest of the season be as calm.
Sylvain. |
RachelLF
Rural Retreat, VA
August 12, 2009
10:33 PM Post #6940730
| Jenn, that is a lovely picture that you posted from your walk on the beach. The sky did look threatful though! Thank you so much for sharing that! I enjoyed it very much.
Tremendous new's to read that all is well on the Island's and there is NO extreme weather related damage done to any of you!
|
AlohaHoya
Keaau, HI
(Zone 11)
August 12, 2009
10:41 PM Post #6940755
| Just @$#@@!!&^* Hot and Humid and we have lost a lot of body fluids!!!
And did I mention the mosquitos are rabid!!! And you thought living here was all kittles and beer! |
RachelLF
Rural Retreat, VA
August 12, 2009
10:52 PM Post #6940795
| No, I knew life on the Hawaiian Island's were not all kibble's and bit's;-)
Some of us Northerner's sure do enjoy seeing picture's from "you-all's" part of the world ;-)
Mosquito's are pretty much gone here. I do remember the day's of those blood sucking West Nile carrier's though.
Rachel |
AlohaHoya
Keaau, HI
(Zone 11)
August 12, 2009
10:54 PM Post #6940800
| Wish we could get rid of ours...we have 4 different ones... grrrrrr. |
mpabbott1
(Mary) Poway, CA
(Zone 10a)
August 12, 2009
10:58 PM Post #6940817
| Sigh ... even Paradise isn't paradise all the time? Did they fib just a little for the tourist advisory? I made reservations for a week in Kona in February on their promise that it was paradise, all the time. LOL
Hey Carol if you're in town during that week, we'd love to drive over and buy you and Bob lunch or dinner.
It was "frying eggs on the sidewalk" hot here a couple weeks ago - but most of the time this is a place others like to visit. They'd have to drag me kicking and screaming to get me to move away.
|
AlohaHoya
Keaau, HI
(Zone 11)
August 13, 2009
01:10 AM Post #6941130
| Feb.'s usually my time to visit son and granddaughter in the PNW...so give me your dates and I WILL be here!!!! Love to see you and Harry!!
Hope you got a good rate!!! The hotels over in Kona are begging for 'butts in the beds'... The Hilton Waikoloa is down to less than 150$ a night!!! Wowser!
Carol |
lourspolaire
Delray Beach, FL
(Zone 10a)
August 13, 2009
01:51 PM Post #6942804
| Aloha, all.
I got a great hotel rate by using Priceline and naming my own price. We stayed at the Waikiki Prince Hotel in Honolulu. The hotel wanted $329/night for this great room through their web site. We got it for $120.00/night by naming our own price with Priceline. Great hotel, great location, 5 stars, we loved every second of it. I don't know about TBI's hotel rates but Priceline worked wonders for us on Oahu.
Take care, all.
Sylvain. |
AlohaHoya
Keaau, HI
(Zone 11)
August 13, 2009
02:41 PM Post #6942937
| Sylvain... When I tried on Priceline to 'bid a room' I wasn't given the chance to seclect a hotel...a specific hotel. How did you do it?
GREAT bargain!!! |
lourspolaire
Delray Beach, FL
(Zone 10a)
August 13, 2009
06:55 PM Post #6943647
| Maybe they changed their modus operandi. It was 2 years ago.
We had some research before going on Priceline.
On Priceline's web site, we identified searching in Hawai'i, then we chose Oahu, then Honolulu, then the various neignborhoors in Honolulu (we chose Waikiki). Then, a list of hotels became available and we clicked on Waikiki Prince because it was NOT on Waikiki beach. It has a marina across the street, Ala Moana Park across the bridge and it's really well positionned within downtown Honolulu.
We started the bidding at $80/night and got refused. We tried again at $90 and got refused. We increased in $10 increments until our bid was accepted for $120/night. We had checked the floor plans and had identified room 514 as the room we wanted. We put that in the notes and the hotel honored our request. And that's what how we did it. We loved it there. Our room was handicapped accessible, with a balcony right next to the pool; one of the very few rooms with a balcony. The morning of the cruise, we ordered a humongous breakfast on the balcony. Everything tastes better outdoors in Hawai'i. We opened a bottle champagne with our friends while watching our cruise ship arriving in Honolulu at Aloha Tower.
I hope this explains it, but like I said: it was 2 years ago and they may have changed their booking system since then.
Aloha.
Pu'ole, a.k.a. Sylvain. |
AlohaHoya
Keaau, HI
(Zone 11)
August 13, 2009
07:13 PM Post #6943695
| Mahalo, Pu'ole...
Kalola |
mpabbott1
(Mary) Poway, CA
(Zone 10a)
August 13, 2009
09:17 PM Post #6944023
| We'll arrive there 4 o'clock February 13th and stay till February 21st in the early morning. Way too short a time! Not staying anywhere too fancy. Outrigger Keauhou Beach Resort. Breakfast is included. There's supposed to be nice snorkeling next to the property.
We just came back from Rhode Island where my very connected sister got us a 39 buck a night at the Courtyard by Marriot in downtown Providence. A very hip hotel in the middle of everything. It was a special employee rate. (None of us work there) She's a friend of the sister of the hotel manager. If they can let it go that cheap they must be raking it in with people who pay the normal rate. I'm surprised that they don't take hotline or priceline's first bids with this economy. I know some of the San Diego hot spots are hurting.
Mary |
westraad
Xai Xai
Mozambique
August 14, 2009
01:34 AM Post #6944725
| just wondering, is Hawaii a malaria Zone? Mozambique is, and i am a malaria prone. i have had it already 5 times this year.
westraad |
themoonhowl
Prairieville, LA
(Zone 9a)
August 14, 2009
07:27 AM Post #6945035
| Wow westraad. I just heard some news that is right up your alley. Researchers have discovered a way to "infect" mosquitos with a vaccine for malaria, turning the infectors into injectors. Some one out there is brilliant. Turn mosquitos from vile carriers into remedies. |
lourspolaire
Delray Beach, FL
(Zone 10a)
August 14, 2009
09:39 AM Post #6945450
| I have travelled to countries where malaria vaccination is mandatory at 6 weeks before you leave: Brazil and Sénégal come to mind. No vaccination is required of travellers visiting Hawai'i. I wouldn't think Hawai'i is one of those places where you have to worry about malaria. I am sure some of the islanders will chime in on that.
But then again, I could be wrong.
Take care, all.
Sylvain. |
DanKistner
Winter Haven, FL
(Zone 9b)
August 14, 2009
09:48 AM Post #6945479
| My buddy recently moved to Haiti to be a missionary. In 2 years he has gotten malaria like 4 times! I know a man that was a missionary in Haiti for 20 years and he has gotten it almost every year he has been there. Close to death many times. |
lourspolaire
Delray Beach, FL
(Zone 10a)
August 14, 2009
09:54 AM Post #6945505
| With all due respect to anyone here from Haiti, we must remember that Haiti is a 3rd world country, one of the world's poorest. Your friend must consider himself lucky if he only contracted malaria, no matter how many times and how close to death he came. Such are not the conditions in Hawai'i.
Sylvain. |
DanKistner
Winter Haven, FL
(Zone 9b)
August 14, 2009
09:56 AM Post #6945518
| Well I understand that. basically, it humbles myself because my entire life i have gotten aggravated with the notorious "Florida Mosquitoes" and he almost dies when he gets bit. |
DanKistner
Winter Haven, FL
(Zone 9b)
August 14, 2009
09:58 AM Post #6945528
| And yes, as you said about the 3rd world country and being fortunate, he is. He runs an orphanage up in the mountains many hours away from any source of medical help. |
themoonhowl
Prairieville, LA
(Zone 9a)
August 14, 2009
10:09 AM Post #6945565
| I can understand that insect borne diseases are hard to eradicate, especially in poorer nations where just getting enough to eat is a daily chore. But...before we went to Australia this summer, we had to renew our Pertussus vaccines (whooping cough) There was an outbreak of it on the sun coast, and even the tragic deaths of a couple babies. The parents were among the "all vaccines cause autism" believers...I think personally I would rather a living autistic child as opposed to an unvaccinated dead child...scratching heads and sad hearts... |
lourspolaire
Delray Beach, FL
(Zone 10a)
August 14, 2009
10:24 AM Post #6945618
| Vaccinnation is also quite costly, not to mention painful and frightening. I am one of those people who has to look away when they show people getting a shot on TV. Gail tells me when it's over.
We needed 5 vaccines each when we went on that 3 continents cruise over a year ago. The nurse came in with a tray covered with 10 needles: 5 for Gail and 5 for me. I decided to go first because if I watched while they did Gail's vaccines, I would have run out before my turn came. We each got 2 shots in each arm and one in the toochis. We were sore for a week. Then a slight fever broke out and we were told to ignore it unless it lasted more than a day. It didn't. Worst yet was the $1200 bill we paid for all that. That's adding insult to injury if I ever experienced it.
Take care,all.
Sylvain. |
themoonhowl
Prairieville, LA
(Zone 9a)
August 14, 2009
11:14 AM Post #6945788
| Unfortunately good health isn't cheap as we are finding out all over the world. Won't take that any further as I do not wish to break any of Dave's rules. |
westraad
Xai Xai
Mozambique
August 14, 2009
02:13 PM Post #6946339
| i have always had a bad immune system, and have had malaria 20+ times, and i am NOT exaggarating! most people think malaria is this terrrible, deadly disease, and it is, if you don't treat it. if you catch it soon enough, you can take the necessary medication, and you will probably be sick for about 3 days. after that you are just completely drained, and should rest for at least a week or two. a big mistake a lot of people make is that they feel better and then they get up too soon. they get a relapse, and then they are really, really sick!
Mozambique is also a third-world country, and poor. but if there is one thing the hospitals know how treat it is malaria. i once couldn't stop vomiting, and had to spend the night in the hospital. i was very impressed by their service, it was better than the state hospitals in South Africa, which is the most developed country in Africa.
right now it looks like we have swine flu going around, thats the last thing we need! the Mozambican people here are not very hygienic, so its gonna spread. |
AlohaHoya
Keaau, HI
(Zone 11)
August 14, 2009
02:33 PM Post #6946395
| DH got malaria when he sailed... Not fun!
Dengue fever is another mozzie borne malady...more insidious as there is no prevention other than don't get bitten!!! We don't have malaria on the islands and any dengue appearing is taken VERY seriously...as it usually is with someone who gets it somewhere else.
when I went to Vietnam in 1967 we had to have Cholera and Black Plague vaccinations!!!! |
themoonhowl
Prairieville, LA
(Zone 9a)
August 14, 2009
02:42 PM Post #6946407
| That's why I couldn't understand the thing with the Whooping Cough. You have the means available to protect your children, and you do nothing. My heart went out to the two mothers who lost their babies to Whooping Cough in Australia until I read that they chose not to vaccinate them because there might possibly maybe but no one knows for sure be a possibility that the vaccines could possibly promote autism. We got the shots because we were going to see our brand new grandson for the first time. While my daughter was still in hospital, she and my SIL both got injections against Whooping Cough. |
Islandshari
Kwajalein
Marshall Islands
(Zone 11)
August 14, 2009
04:27 PM Post #6946655
| From storms to diseases...we have much to contend with. And I truly believe that island folk have the worst when it comes to these things...there is just no where to go. On the native island here - Ebeye - they have recently discovered a large outbreak of H1N1 - Swine Flu. Since half of that population comes here to work, we are all taking extra precautions. We also have Malaria and Dengue...wish they would take the same precautions for these...Dengue is nasty! All of the above mentioned conditions apply on Ebeye... 3rd world, poverty, poor sanitation, (mainly due to lack of water), poor hygiene, (same reason)...a veritable incubation center for disease. We do what we can, but its never enough. Few people will go to hospital...they would rather be treated by a healer, so reports are slow in coming, and by then, the disease has a good foothold. This is the one part of island life that is certainly not to be envied.
Yokwe,
Shari |
goofybulb
El Paso, TX
(Zone 8a)
August 14, 2009
04:54 PM Post #6946735
| I've been gone (again) from the computer, but I'm happy everyone is OK! I have lots to catch up with, but I'm glad to see all of you post!
Hugs,
Alexandra |
themoonhowl
Prairieville, LA
(Zone 9a)
August 14, 2009
05:38 PM Post #6946932
| Yesterday, Louisiana had its' first H1N1 death. It may well become like it was with polio back in the 20's and 30's. No public gatherings of any large size. Folks became wary of attending school and church...we shall see. |
AlohaHoya
Keaau, HI
(Zone 11)
August 14, 2009
05:52 PM Post #6946967
| Ya know...N1H1 IS a pandemic (which is NOT the same as a panic, or an epidemic) and people who have prior conditions and who are compromised are going to die. I don't think this means that we have to stop our lives...we just have to live with more awareness and consideration. Thank goodness it is not the black plague. |
Islandshari
Kwajalein
Marshall Islands
(Zone 11)
August 14, 2009
07:07 PM Post #6947174
| Amen to that Carol!
Yokwe,
Shari |
tropicbreeze
noonamah
Australia
August 14, 2009
09:00 PM Post #6947480
| Every year thousands of people die from flu and as Carol mentioned these are people who have prior conditions and are already compromised. H1N1 isn't much different. What will happen is that the majority population will develop immunity.
Mosquito borne diseases should be called "human/mosquito borne" as they rely on a cycle requiring both humans and mosquitos for continuation of the cycle. If you can cut that cycle then the parasite dies out and you can still have mosquitos and people living together without the disease.
Malaria used to be very widespread but was wiped out in many (1st world) places by breaking that cycle. We don't have malaria but we do have Ross River Virus and Murray Valley Encephalitis. Dengue Fever is on the east coast but not here. A lot of people I know have/have had Ross River Virus. A few years back a blood test showed up I had immunity to it, obviously caught it some time without knowing and developed the resistance. Most likely it was a weakened infection.
Going to Papua New Guinea I had to be innoculated for Bubonic Plague, Typhoid and Hep C. Also had to take anti-malarials each day. |
d_thomcat2000
Kapaa, HI
August 14, 2009
09:01 PM Post #6947481
| I am from Kauai and an Iniki survivor,thank who ever your gods are that thing dissipated. |
mpabbott1
(Mary) Poway, CA
(Zone 10a)
August 14, 2009
09:50 PM Post #6947687
| I remember the first swine flu in the 70's. They rushed the vaccine and it ended up killing more people than the flu. A girl I used to work with got Guillain Barre syndrome from the vaccine. Hope they get it right this time. Guess you've got to weigh your options and take the one that feels best to you. I didn't have any reactions to the 70's vaccine. I just had the Shingles vaccine because the wife of one of my husband's friend died from Shingles. Usually people don't die from it, but she was very unfortunate and had months of debilitating pain. Wasted away to 60 pounds. After that my husband pressured me into getting the vaccine, so I took my chances and so far, so good. |
LouC
Desoto, TX
(Zone 8a)
August 14, 2009
10:24 PM Post #6947932
| My mother died in 2003 after five months of unrelenting pain from shingles that settled in her head. I waited too long for the vaccine and had shingles in June-July 2008. Highly recommend the vacinne unless one prefers high degrees of pain. I do not. |
mpabbott1
(Mary) Poway, CA
(Zone 10a)
August 14, 2009
10:52 PM Post #6948034
| Most people only know Shingles as an annoying rash that hurts. I'd never heard anything different until This poor lady had such a rough time of it. Then, a coincidence that the clinic I work for did a research study on a medication to help with the post shingles pain. I'm sorry your Mom had a awful experience with it. It's too bad more people don't know about the vaccine so they can decide for themselves. |
extranjera
Mérida
Mexico
(Zone 11)
August 14, 2009
11:53 PM Post #6948204
| We have dengue but not much malaria. I do worry about dengue in the rainy season but other than don't get bit there isn't anything you can do. They seem to think the life threatening form is a result of multiple infections but they aren't sure.
I asked for the shingles vaccine the other day and was told it is not yet available in Mexico, I'll keep asking. As for the latest swine flu, I am very proud of Mexico's response, it seems they did everything right and have reacted better than most other countries. It has returned here, we are again seeing people working in masks. I just keep washing my hands often and staying out of really crowded areas. |
themoonhowl
Prairieville, LA
(Zone 9a)
August 15, 2009
12:32 AM Post #6948304
| Malaria, swine flu, west nile virus, dengue fever...they all remind me of HG Wells' War of the World...in the end it was a tiny germ that saved the earth from aliens...just like it was a tiny germ brought to the new world by Columbus that wreaked havoc with the indigenous population, and missionaries bringing their tiny bugs to Hawai'i. It is hard to get people to respect the dangers inherent in something they can't see. |
AlohaHoya
Keaau, HI
(Zone 11)
August 15, 2009
01:08 AM Post #6948366
| yeah...and just when you aren't expecting it, LIFE happens...OMG! Then, what do we do? (Personally, I go to the beach)
I always thought Dengue was a ho-hum thingy...until i met a couple (GET THIs) sailing (alone on their boat) from Fiji to New Zealand (a hellish sail in good times) came down with Dengue...managed to get to NZ, she lost 60 lbs and all her hair and he looked like a scarcrow. Horrific. I am sure we all have these memories which only should make us more aware of preventitive medicines, vaccines etc. and not feel like Superman. They say that the H!N! virus hits my generation the most kind...somewhere in our medical history is probably a similar bug to which we have some resistance. TG.
TheMoonGlow - if only we knew then what we know now!!!! Here on TBI one person flaunted caution and introduced, in a shipment, the LittleRedFireAnt...it has now totally invaded and saturated out lives: in every bush we brush, every tree we work, in ever clump of weed we pull...LRFA!!! They fall into your clothes and after biting, leave huge welts that last 5-6 days of maniacal itching. They are attracted to electrical energy so fuse boxes get shorted out all day by them.
Unfortunately...there is little information on good erradication and protection...and onward we go...itchin an'askratchin. |
themoonhowl
Prairieville, LA
(Zone 9a)
August 15, 2009
01:58 AM Post #6948449
| Alohahoya, I live in south Louisiana, the Fire Ant capital of the USA. Diazanon kills them and a product called Amdro fire ant granules kills and helps control them. When they bite (sting) they inject formic acid. That is what causes the necrotic pustules. They love to nest where it is dry, so that is why electrical boxes and phone junction boxes attract them. When it floods, they are coated with a waxy substance that allows them to ball up in a clump and float.
In 2001, hurricane Allison plopped her wet hinney over south LA and rained for days, pretty much non-stop. After the rain, the area around us was flooded. My neighbor's grandson was wading through a couple feet of water and brushed one of the floaters. We heard him howling nearly a block away as he was running home. Without even thinking, my husband and I rushed out side. I had the Windex bottle in my hand and as we were trying to get the ants off him, I spilled Windex on his leg. The burning stopped immediately.
After a bit of research, we found that Ammonia seems to neutralize formic acid. You have to make sure that it is the original ammonia based windex, or a mild solution of sudsy ammonia and water. Take care to not get into eyes or mucous membranes as it will burn, but by leaving it on for a few minutes, it reduces the damage from the formic acid and also reduces the post bite itching. Believe me, we have seen calves killed by fire ants...nothing that kills them can be a bad thing. |
westraad
Xai Xai
Mozambique
August 15, 2009
03:59 AM Post #6948572
| one should also be careful what prevention and vaccination one takes, as these can have dangerous side effects. i am on malaria prevention at the moment, its called malarone. some friends of mine in New England gave it to me. we did some research, and it appears that at the moment its the safest prevention to take.
i once put a pitchfork through my foot (i know, i am an idiot), and had to get a tetanus shot. i went to the local hospital, and the nurse gave me the injection without even cleaning my arm first, and she gave it to me outside in the dust. thank goodness at least it was a clean needle, i made sure it came out of a sealed packet.
something i forgot to mention earlier, is that in the hospitals here, they treat the whites better than the blacks. NO OFFENSE TO ANYONE, i am against this myself. it terrible to see them sometimes how they treat their own people, so many people die from malaria, especially children, just because they weren't given the proper medication at the hospital. if you are white, or if you have money, they treat you royally, which in my opinion is wrong. well, if they want to treat us that way, they should treat their own people the same way.
another LARGE problem in Mozambique is AIDS, thousands of people are dying from it.
westraad |
Metrosideros
Keaau, HI
August 15, 2009
04:21 AM Post #6948578
| I don't mind the fire ants biting my fingers, it helps relieve arthritis. I even stick my knuckles in the middle of their nests!
Every time I trim a tree, remove dead leaves from bananas, move around in the brush, I get bit several times.
They fall on you, they're hard to see, they bite repeatedly.
It sucks! It's very irritating! When they bite you in your private areas it can change your day!
I wouldn't live anywhere else though! |
Metrosideros
Keaau, HI
August 15, 2009
04:48 AM Post #6948583
| Hey Westraad, nothing is new!
Here, poor folks (myself) that need help, go to the clinic, wait in line for several hours to get help, for an "emergency".
If it's not an emergency, you might as well stay home.
Two years ago, I was going through Ketoacidosis and starving to death, and the clinic decided my case was not a priority.
I did not get help till I was in a coma!
Luckily, being near dead, they decided that I needed some help!
I'm a lucky guy! |
westraad
Xai Xai
Mozambique
August 15, 2009
07:07 AM Post #6948672
| good thing you are still alive!
government hospitals are pathetic here, and private clinics are sooooo expensive, especially if you don't have medical insurance, like me. |
ardesia
Saint Helena Island, SC
(Zone 9a)
August 15, 2009
07:14 AM Post #6948682
| Interesting about the arthritis relief. I would guess the irritation from the IRFA bite brings more blood to the area helping the discomfort of the arthritis. Personally I am not sure if the pain would not be better than the dreadful itch from the bites. We have had epic amounts of rain this summer and soil is saturated so the FA's are all up on the surface right now. My poor dog got bitten on his face while he was sniffing the other day. Those d@/m FA's have killed more than calves; I know of people who have died as a result of their bites.
|
tropicbreeze
noonamah
Australia
August 15, 2009
07:38 AM Post #6948723
| We don't have Fire Ants here, although they did get them around Brisbane. Had a massive eradication program which seemed successful. They claimed it to be the first successful elimination of a feral species. But I think they've found a few stragglers since.
Ginger Ants are one of our bad ones. Tiny, but sting like a blowtorch. I'm lucky and don't have any adverse reactions. Well, other than several choice words that I won't repeat here. ;O) Amdro seems to work well on them. |
lourspolaire
Delray Beach, FL
(Zone 10a)
August 15, 2009
07:39 AM Post #6948729
| Hi,everyone.
Carol, I love your approach: when in doubt or under duress, go to the beach. Yep, you gotta love that plan. I'm with you on that one.
When I worked for Unemployment Insurance in Canada, I found that constant exposure to the public increased my chances of contracting whatever bug was going around. One day, I happened upon 4 boxes full of fancy pens in a flea market, which I purchased for next to nothing: 48 pens. I gave them away to my fellow customer service clerks to use exclusively, encouraging them to keep a supply of ordinary pens and pencils in a cup on their desk for the customers to use.
The word around the office was that we should never lend our fancy pen to the clients, not use the pens and pencils we provided for them, not shake their hands and cough into our sleeves if we needed to. I included a box of tissues on my desk for the customers. Personally, I used a Mont Blanc fountain pen that I never allowed anyone to use. It disappeared one day, a victim of someone else's envy. It was never found and I never purchased another one. Sic transit gloria mundi.
Those few apparently inoccuous measures helped us make it through some of the worst flu seasons with very little sickness. When someone was sick and insisted on coming in to work, we sent them back home. We didn't need heroes, we needed healthy people.
Funny story: when someone wished to shake my hand after an interview, I would scratch the palm of my right hand and tell them the dermatologist was not sure if that itch was contagious or not. That settled the question quickly.
Take good care, all.
Sylvain.
|
AlohaHoya
Keaau, HI
(Zone 11)
August 15, 2009
01:50 PM Post #6949739
| ...great information on the LRFA, MoonHowl...I am collecting all the information I can! Yes, Amdro does work, but it is a soybased pellet and totally disolves in the rain...and when not wetted, the humidity only lets it last 24 hours. A mixture of Sevin/water kills them on contact...and Telsta sprinkled around will kill the forager ants but they don't have time to get it back to the nest!!! Avunt mixed with peanutbutter is working out to be effective as a bait/killer.
MUST carry a bottle of Ammonia/water around with me!!! what is the ratio...you know?
Rubbing the inside of a banana peel on the bite helps too!!!! The scientist working on them here in Hilo said that a close relative of this ant does not bite with formic acid...it is an alkaline substance... must ask more about that!!! DH, an engineer, finds them in all the electrical boxes and connections...he is convinced it isn't the dry they are after but the electrical charge... They go into the electrical boxes inside my greenhouse which is dry... |
lourspolaire
Delray Beach, FL
(Zone 10a)
August 15, 2009
02:18 PM Post #6949840
| If possible, one could set up an electrical box that is not connected to the power lines and another box that is. If the ants are really attracted to the electrical charge in the electrical box, they will disregard the one that is not connected. The results could be interesting. Hey, I have a curious (meaning inquisitive and also peculiar) mind and a lot of time on my hands . This is fascinating.
Take care,
Sylvain. |
Metrosideros
Keaau, HI
August 15, 2009
03:05 PM Post #6949950
| Interesting observation about the fire-ants and electric Carol.
The ants seem to line up to commit suicide by my generator. |
Islandshari
Kwajalein
Marshall Islands
(Zone 11)
August 15, 2009
04:31 PM Post #6950175
| Funny little tidbit to add to the mix: My Mom was feeling quite ill many years ago, and went to the Navy Hospital clinic. For 5 months they were treating her for malaria. Turns out, she was pregnant! Two months later my youngest brother was born - premie. My Mom was so pissed! Said she hardly had time to buy/wear maternity clothes and pop, there he was! So does this mean that quinine causes early childbirth? Who knows? But we constantly tease my brother that he is just a figment of a fever dream!
Yokwe,
Shari |
tropicbreeze
noonamah
Australia
August 15, 2009
06:26 PM Post #6950512
| We have an ant that also gets into electrical equipment, junction boxes, etc., and rearranges the circuitry. The electricians here love them (and lightning), a big money spinner for them. No economic downturn in that business. |
westraad
Xai Xai
Mozambique
August 19, 2009
02:11 AM Post #6963604
| Hi everyone!
i haven't been on since Saturday, i was in the hospital for 4 days. Swine flu. i want to warn all of you, that take EVERY precaution you can think of to avoid getting swine flu, its horrible to have it. the vomiting is beyond imagination, i was sicker than i was with malaria.
i take back some of what i said earlier about the hospital here, they have improved greatly since my last stay a year and a half ago. the doctors were kinder and more helpful, the process is better, and overall its much better. i was quite impressed. its not as good as a private hospital, of course, but it is very good for a third world country. i will just keep my mouth shut about the bathrooms. don't misunderstand me, the staff do their best to keep everything clean, its some of the other patients from the rural areas. they apparently don't know how to use a toilet, nor do they know the difference between a toilet and a shower. i refused to shower in my stay there, and when i was released yesterday afternoon i took a looooong, cleansing shower at home. felt like heaven!
it seems that i am the first official person i Mozambique to have swine flu, but do not think its an honor, i don't. i never want to go through it again, it was terrible, especially the first night. its scary, because i know if some people get it and they don't have any means of medical help, they could die. Swine flu has different degrees, and i had a very bad one. not all people get it as bad. but if someone does, and he can't get medical help, i can easily believe it can be fatal.
westraad |
ardesia
Saint Helena Island, SC
(Zone 9a)
August 19, 2009
07:49 AM Post #6963960
| So sorry you had to go through all that and so glad to hear you are on the mend. Thank you for posting the warning about how dangerous this nasty virus can be. Hearing about a first hand experience means so much more.
Please be careful and rest for a while. Here's hoping you feel better soon and stay well.
-a-
This message was edited Aug 19, 2009 2:23 PM |
themoonhowl
Prairieville, LA
(Zone 9a)
August 19, 2009
08:55 AM Post #6964144
| Sounds like your bout with malaria left you wide open for H1N1. Hope you will be back to good health soon. It is amazing how something as tiny as a virus can wreak such havoc on our bodies. Take care and get strong again. |
westraad
Xai Xai
Mozambique
August 19, 2009
09:13 AM Post #6964200
| thanks, guys. i am resting most of the time, my hands are just itching to get back in the garden though. but that will have to wait until i am better. in the meantime its a great time to read my Bible, some novels, watch movies, write emails, and chat on DG. i took a long a nap, woke a while ago, and i feel much more refreshed. maybe by this weekend i'll be back to normal. hopefully. one thing thats still bothering me is my low bloodpressure, makes it feel like i am gonna faint.
anyway, enough about me, i am glad to be back!
westraad |
tropicbreeze
noonamah
Australia
August 19, 2009
09:52 AM Post #6964346
| It's good that you're well on the road to recovery. H1N1 is getting around everywhere now. Once you've had it you should get an immunity. It's starting to get into our local indigenous community here now which is a bit of a worry. Take care. |
Dutchlady1
Naples, FL
(Zone 10a)
August 19, 2009
12:15 PM Post #6964816
| Take care of yourself!! |
Islandshari
Kwajalein
Marshall Islands
(Zone 11)
August 19, 2009
05:38 PM Post #6965881
| Westraad, so sorry to hear that you had to have the honor! Please take care, and get better. Don't fool around with trying to do too much too soon...your lessons from malaria should have taught you better than that!
Sending healing thoughts,
Yokwe,
Shari |
tropicbreeze
noonamah
Australia
August 19, 2009
10:33 PM Post #6966969
| Here's a news item which could be of interest - progress is being made:
AAP August 20, 2009, 11:27 am
The federal government will take delivery of two million doses of swine flu vaccine by the end of next week, with the first vaccinations likely to occur in September, Health Minister Nicola Roxon says.
Pregnant women and people with underlying medical conditions will be treated first if human trials currently underway reveal the vaccine is safe.
"We will be in receipt by the end of next week of two million doses of swine flu vaccine," Ms Roxon told reporters in Canberra.
"We are planning and working with the states and territories for the vaccination program to commence at some time in September."
The health minister stressed that timetable was dependent on the safety and efficacy results of the human trial.
The final report on it is expected in the coming weeks but initial data suggests the vaccine is as safe as that for regular seasonal flu, Ms Roxon said.
The first doses will be given to around 4.3 million priority people, including pregnant women and those with underlying medical conditions such as asthma, respiratory disease, cancer and obesity.
"This will be the biggest vaccination program in the shortest period of time that the commonwealth has ever undertaken," the health minister said.
There are currently 94 people in intensive care with swine flu in Australia.
There have been 121 swine flu-related deaths to date. |
westraad
Xai Xai
Mozambique
August 20, 2009
01:46 AM Post #6967452
| very interesting, Tbreeze. i sure hope that vaccine works and is safe, swineflu is a dangerous disease.
Don't worry, Shari. i am taking it very easy, just feeding all my pets, and telling my Mozambican gardener what to do for the day, and then the rest of the day i just rest. i think by next week i should pretty much be myself. i have lost more weight again, as if i'm not scrawny enough!
thank you all for your best wishes.
westraad |
westraad
Xai Xai
Mozambique
August 22, 2009
10:26 AM Post #6975677
| Hi everyone,
i am much better now, just a bit of a runny nose. i am now back in the garden, work has piled up in my abscence. keeping busy! i really hope all of you guys stay healthy, and don't get the swine flu.
Isaac
|
themoonhowl
Prairieville, LA
(Zone 9a)
August 22, 2009
11:29 AM Post #6975904
| Isaac, good on, just don't overtax yourself...no relapses...Glad you are feeling better. |
westraad
Xai Xai
Mozambique
August 22, 2009
11:39 AM Post #6975939
| don't worry, i have learned from malaria not to overdo it...
thanks. |
