Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

Hawaii Volcano Adventure Tour at Mt Kilauea HAWAII VOLCANO ADVENTURE ".. a scene of wild beauty ..." "Mark Twain, 1866 FROM HILO Just as it was for Mark Twain over a century ago, this is truly the experience of a lifetime! We have designed this very special tour just for you... Continuing eruptions at Kilauea Volcano have captured the world's imagination. This excursion features the closest approach to the recent lava flows allowed by Civil Defense and local authorities. Our trained guides will escort you, and if conditions permit, you may be able to go right to the edge of a 2000 degree F molten lava flow! A real Polynesian Adventure! Hilo Area Macadamia Nut Factory (seasonal, and time permitting) Orchid & Anthurium Nursery Volcanoes National Park Volcano Observatory Jagger Museum Steam Bluffs & Crater Drive Thurston Lava Tube Volcano House Kilauea Iki Crater Departure : Hilo Hotels 9:00-9:15 am Hilo Airport 8:30 - 8:45 am Return to Hilo area approx: 5:00-6:00 pm Tour Prices: Adult $59.00 Child Under 12 $44.00 (All tours subject to state sales tax) No host lunch at Volcano House. We suggest a light sweater or jacket for the volcano area. As we cannot predict weather and volcanic activity, features may vary daily depending on conditions. Admission to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park included. Sturdy, covered walking shoes required due to terrain. All passengers will be required to sign a release of liability form before departing hotel. Polynesian AdventureTours Contact Your Travel Professional Or Call Toll Free 1-800-622-3011 e-mail sales@polyad.com

Kauai HI Hotels Island

Princeville, Kauai, Hawaii HI - Hotels, Condos - A Guide Princeville Kauai Hawaii HI - Hotels Resorts Condos - Kaui Kauia Kauii Hawii Hawai North Shore Hawaii Hotels Guide Princeville, Kauai, Hawaii – Hotels, Condos – A Guide Hotels - htels - hoteles - hoteis - alberghi - hoteller - 12 languages Use this guide to learn about Princeville, Kauai hotels and resorts, check availability and discounts, and make secure reservations with immediate confirmation. We charge NO SERVICE FEES ... and our hotel location information and unique cost codes will save you time and money. Like this guide? Bookmark it by pressing Ctrl+D. Availability Search – Find Vacancies Quickly Club Intrawest Kauai - Princeville - $$$$$ 3970 Wylie Road, Princeville, Kauai, HI 96722 Swimming pool Overview | Map | Availability & Rates Hanalei Bay Resort - Princeville - $$$$$ 5380 Honoiko Road, Princeville, Kauai, HI 96722 Condos - 3 floors Swimming pool - restaurant - lounge Overview | More Info | Map | Availability & Rates Pali Ke Kua - Princeville - $$$$ 5300 Ka Haku Road, Princeville, Kauai, HI 96714 Condos Swimming pool - restaurant - lounge Overview | Map | Availability & Rates Princeville Resort - $$$$$ 5520 Ka Haku Road, Princeville, Kauai, HI 96722 Hotel - 252 rooms Swimming pool - fitness center - restaurant - lounge Overview | More Info | Map | Availability & Rates Pu'u Poa - Princeville - $$$$$ 5454 Ka Haku Road, Princeville, Kauai, HI 96714 Condos - 4 floors - 46 units Swimming pool Overview | Map | Availability & Rates Thanks for using our Princeville, Kauai, Hawaii hotels guide. We hope you enjoy your trip. Related search terms: hotels/motels motel hoteles moteles condo rentals condos rental condominium condominiums lodging accommodations accommodation inns inn destination destinations romantic weekend getaways getaway breaks honeymoon packages holiday package holidays vacation vacations travel best choice discount rate price discounts cheap hotels budget hotel deals dog friendly in near by nearby close to around search finder Abbreviations, variants, misspellings: hanalei north shore oceanfront beachfront hi. hawaiian northshore ocean front beach front kaui kauia kauii islan iland ilan ha ha. hawaian hawii hawai hawiia hawiian hawaiin hawiiee hawaiihotel hawaiihotels hihotel hihotels accomodation accomodations accomadation accomadations petfriendly dogfriendly MORE HAWAII HOTELS All State of Hawaii Hotels Island of Hawaii HI Hotels Island of Kauai HI Hotels Island of Lanai HI Hotels Island of Maui HI Hotels Island of Molokai HI Hotels Island of Oahu HI Hotels Aiea HI Hotels Hana HI Hotels Hilo HI Hotels Honokowai HI Hotels Honolulu HI Hotels Kaanapali HI Hotels Kahana HI Hotels Kahuku HI Hotels Kahului HI Hotels Kailua-Kona HI Hotels Kamuela HI Hotels Kapaa HI Hotels Kapalua HI Hotels Kapolei HI Hotels Kaunakakai HI Hotels Kihei HI Hotels Kohala Coast HI Hotels Koloa HI Hotels Kona HI Hotels Lahaina HI Hotels Laie HI Hotels Lanai City HI Hotels Lihue HI Hotels Maalaea HI Hotels Makaha Beach HI Hotels Mauna Loa HI Hotels Napili HI Hotels Poipu Beach HI Hotels Princeville HI Hotels Volcano Village HI Hotels Waikoloa HI Hotels Wailea HI Hotels Wailua HI Hotels Waimea HI Hotels All State of Hawaii Hotels USA Hotels - all states World Hotels - all countries Who We Are Our Privacy Policy No Service Fees Fewer Advance Charges Some Surprising Deals ! Hotel & Air Travel Packages Compare Car Rentals Order Free Travel Guides HOTEL COST CODES $ = Under $60 $$ = $60-99 $$$ = $100-149 $$$$ = $150-199 $$$$$ = $200 + AOM, Rack, Special, & Traveler's Discount Rates are for everyone. TIPS & SUGGESTIONS Tip 1 – Make reservations early. Some hotels cut off online reservations 1 to 3 days before check-in time. Tip 2 – When you make a reservation, you will receive a confirmation email. Print a copy of this message to take with you ... and don't delete the original email until you have completed your stay and know you have been billed correctly. Tip 3 – Our hotel cost codes are based on the lowest peak season rates available to all guests. We do offer discount rates for corporate and government employees, AAA and AARP members, seniors, and other special groups. But we do not base our cost codes on these discounts. Off-season room prices may be much lower than our cost codes indicate. This is especially true for coastal hotels during the winter. Tip 4 – The earlier in the day you check into a hotel, the more likely you will get a room or suite that matches your preferences. More tips – Learn more about this guide and how to use it effectively . Help improve this guide – Please send us corrections, new info, and comments about hotels where you have stayed. Home • USA Hotels • World Hotels • Tips • Feedback • View or Cancel Reservation • Contact Us Hotel-Guides.us – Princeville, Kauai, Hawaii, USA © 2006 Hotel-Guides.us, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this website may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without written permission from Hotel-Guides.us Inc .

Hawaii Hotel

Mauian Hotel Napili Hawaii : Hotel Reservations In Hawaii MAUIAN HOTEL NAPILI HAWAII 5441 Lower Honoapilani Road, Napili, Maui, 96761 Hawaii, United States. Mauian Hotel Napili Hawaii Promotional Rates Overview & Facilities | Map Book Now at Promotional Rates! Overview The Mauian Hotel Napili Hawaii is a secluded tropical hideaway for those wanting to escape from the hectic pace of life. Perfect for the independent traveler seeking relaxed island style living. Situated in the middle of magnificent Napili Beach, with Molokai and Lanai across the sea, it is nestled on two acres of serene Hawaiian gardens. The Mauian Hotel Napili Hawaii offers ocean views from each lanai/balcony and boasts, "no TV's or telephones in the rooms" for a truly enjoyable stay. Room Facilities AM/FM Alarm Clock Modem Lines in Room Safe Deposit Box Television with Cable Private Bathroom Ceiling Fan Full Kitchen Courtesy Phone located in Ohana Room Television located in Ohana Room (no TV or Phone in the room) Laundry Services Hotel Facilities 24 Hour Front Desk Free Parking Laundry/Valet Services Dining & Entertainment Daily Hawaiian Breakfast Served in Ohana Room Fine Dining Within Walking Distance Sports & Leisure Beach Pool Check-in time 1400hrs Check-out time 1100hrs Ratings Three Stars Promotional Rates and Availability Check Rates and Availability Mauian Hotel Napili Hawaii Location Map From the Kahului Airport take the Kuihelani Highway, (380) west to Lahaina. Turn left on to Honoapiilani Highway (30) and continue along the coast past Lahaina. You will pass the exits for Kapalua Wes.. Click here for Location Map Mauian Hotel Napili Hawaii Click here to browse more Hotel Reservations In Hawaii My Account Hawaii Hotels

MAUI WINDSURFING VANS 415

Hawaii - Maui - Auto/Recreation Rentals (surfboards, kayaks, boogie boards, bicycles, mopeds, snorkel gear etc.) Activities Maui Printer Friendly Version Help us preserve the Islands. Tell our advertisers you found them on Alternative-Hawaii. RENTALS: AUTO & OUTDOOR GEAR (See Also Sports & Recreation ) Automobiles / Campers | Bicycles | Boats / Yachts | Camping Equipment Kayaks | Medical Equipment Snorkeling/Diving | Surfing / Windsurfing AUTOMOBILES / CAMPERS SPONSORS AL WEST'S MAUI VANS 180 East Wakea Avenue, Suite K Kahului, HI 96732 (Central Maui) Tel. (808) 877-0090 or 1-800-870-4084 (Reservations) Fax (808) 871-8733 Email: mauivan@mauivans.com Providing rental vans and station wagons to Maui windsurfers, surfers and vacation travelers for over 23 years. Featuring new or dependable used Fords and Chryslers - non-smoking vehicles that include windsurf and surfboard racks, free ice coolers, beach chairs, free child seats and beach toys. Free shuttle pick-up from the Kahului Airport. Photo CAR RENTALS IN HAWAII (Islands of Maui, Big Island, Oahu, Kauai & Molokai) Mailing Address: P.O. Box 1835, Kailua-Kona, HI 96745-1835 Tel. 1-888-292-3307 (toll free) Email: info@hawaiidiscountcarrental.com Discounted rates on Wrangler soft tops, Mustang convertibles, SUV's, mini vans and cars through Budget, Avis, Dollar and Thrifty. No Prepayment! Book online. Free upgrades. Big Island, Maui, Oahu, Kauai and Molokai. Photo DISCOUNT HAWAII CAR RENTALS (Islands of Maui, Big Island, Oahu, Kauai & Molokai) $139.50/wk Economy cars, $274.75/wk Wranglers and Convertibles. Reserve Avis, Budget, Dollar and Thrifty Rental Cars at our pre-negotiated discounted rates lower than booking directly with car companies. Free upgrades. Spouse drives free. Age 21-24 no surcharge. Free overtime. No money up front. No cancellation charges. Photo IMUA CAMPER COMPANY 45 Shipman Street Hilo, HI 96720 (Islands of Maui and the Big Island) Tel. (808) 935-6241 Fax (808) 935-6241 Email: reservations@imua-tour.com Daily, weekly, and monthly rental of Volkswagen Westfalia Campers with gas stove, refrigerator, sink, and sleeping accommodations for four. A pleasurable and affordable way to freely explore the Hawaiian Islands. Rates: $85 per day with weekly discounts. Photo WAILUA BAY DISCOUNT CAR RENTALS (Islands of Oahu, Maui, Kauai, Big Island & Molokai) Tel. 1-800-882-9007 Fax (425) 556-1292 Email: info@wailuabay.com Offering corporate discount Hawaii car rentals from Avis, Budget, Thrifty and Dollar on Kauai, Maui, Oahu, Big Island of Hawaii and Molokai. There are no prepayment or cancellation fees. Jeep Wranglers, Ford Mustangs, SUV's and Minivans. Compare rates instantly and reserve online. Photo FRIENDS AA ALOHA CARS-R-US 938 South Kihei Road Kihei, HI 96753 (South Maui) Tel. (808) 879-7989 or 1-800-655-7989 A reservation center representing major car rental agencies offering discounted rates for all Hawaiian Islands. Recommended by Frommers, Fodors and Paradise Family Guides. ACCESSIBLE VANS OF HAWAII 296 Alamaha Street, Suite C Kahului, HI 96732 (All Hawaiian Islands) Tel. (808) 871-7785 or 1-800-303-3750 Rent and sell full size and mini wheelchair and scooter vans by the day, the week, or the month. Their travel consultant can arrange accessible accommodations, activities, sightseeing, medical equipment rentals, or personal care attendants. ADVENTURES RENT A JEEP 190 Papa Place Kahului, HI 96732 (Central Maui) Tel. (808) 877-6626 or 1-800-701-5337 Drive to Hana on the dirt road - go for it in a Wrangler. ALAMO RENT A CAR 905 W. Mokuea Place Kahului, HI 96732 (Central Maui) Tel. (808) 871-6235 Daily, weekly and weekend rates. AVIS RENT A CAR Kahului Airport Kahului, HI 96732 (Central Maui) Tel. (808) 871-7575 or 1-800-321-3712 Featuring G.M. cars. BUDGET CAR RENTAL Kahului Airport Kahului, HI 96732 (Central Maui) Tel. 1-800-451-3600 One of Hawaii's top car rental companies. DOLLAR RENT A CAR 946 Mokuea Place Kahului, HI 96732 (Central Maui) Tel. 1-800-800-4000 Daily and weekly rates on all six major islands. ENTERPRISE RENT-A-CAR 335 E. Wakea Avenue Kahului, HI 96732 (Central Maui) Tel. (808) 871-1511 or 1-800-325-8007 Low rates, great cars, free pick-up. HERTZ RENT A CAR 850 Mokuea Place Kahului Airport Kahului, HI 96732 (Central Maui) Tel. (808) 877-5167 or 1-800-654-3011 Featuring Fords and other fine cars. KIHEI RENT-A-CAR 96 Kio Loop Kihei, HI 96753 (South Maui) Tel. (808) 879-7257 Jeeps and sedans. Daily, weekly and monthly rates. MAUI CRUISERS CAR RENTAL, INC. 1270 Piihana Road Wailuku, HI 96793 (Central Maui) Tel. (808) 249-2319 or 1-877-749-7889 Maui's affordable car rental company. Offering decent, clean, well-maintained Toyotas and Nissans. Drive a car that has the "local look" and you'll blend right in. If you want to look like a tourist, call one of the bigger companies. MAUI WINDSURFING VANS 415 Dairy Road Kahului, HI 96732 (Central Maui) Tel. (808) 877-0090 Vans with inside board racks, coolers, beach chairs. NATIONAL CAR RENTAL Mokuea Place Kahului Airport Kahului, HI 96732 (Central Maui) Tel. (808) 871-8851 or 1-800-227-7368 Wide variety of cars - from economy to mini-vans. THRIFTY CAR RENTAL 542 Keolani Place Kahului, HI 96732 (Central Maui) Tel. 1-877-283-0898 or 1-800-367-5238 Featuring Chrysler and other fine cars. WORD OF MOUTH RENT A CAR Kahului, HI 96732 (Central Maui) Tel. (808) 877-2436 or 1-800-533-5929 Maui's original low cost rentals in business since 1975. Free airport pick up. Top BICYCLES SPONSORS HALEAKALA BIKE COMPANY 810 Haiku Road, Suite 120 Haiku, HI 96708 (Upcountry Maui) Tel. (808) 575-9575 or 1-888-922-2453 (toll free) Email: staff@bikemaui.com One of Maui's most experienced, most affordable downhill tour companies. Home of the original freestyle Haleakala Downhill. Over 50,000 satisfied customers. Mountain bike rentals available. Photo FRIENDS SOUTH MAUI BICYCLES 1993 South Kihei Road, Unit # 5 Kihei, HI 96753 (South Maui) Tel. (808) 874-0068 Road and mountain bike rentals and repairs. Daily and weekly rates. WEST MAUI CYCLES 840 Wainee Street Lahaina, HI 96761 (West Maui) Tel. (808) 661-9005 Road and mountain bike rentals. Top BOATS / YACHTS SPONSOR HAWAII NAUTICAL: KO OLINA CAT Ko Olina Resort and Marina Ko Olina, HI (All Hawaiian Islands) Mailing Address: 46-471 Hololio Street, Kaneohe, HI 96744 Tel. (808) 234-SAIL Fax (808) 235-6794 Email: hawaiinautical@aol.com Featuring the brand-new 52 foot Ko Olina Cat for dolphin activities, sailing and snorkeling. Guaranteed dolphin or whale sightings. Great crew, great food and drink, great time! The complete source for boats, professional marine services, and recreation packages to enjoy Hawaii's beautiful waters. They provide yacht sales, boat charters, captains, deliveries, sailing lessons, ecotours, slips, and marine surveys. Photo Top CAMPING EQUIPMENT MAUI ECO-ADVENTURES 180 Dickenson Street, Suite 102 Lahaina, HI 96761 (West Maui) Tel. (808) 661-7720 Tents & sleeping bags. Call for information. Top KAYAKS SOUTH PACIFIC KAYAKS & OUTFITTERS 95 Hale Kauai Street Kihei, HI 96753 (Island of Maui) Tel. (808) 875-4848 or 1-800-776-2326 Maui's original kayak adventures. World class guides offering experiences you won't forget. Come paddle with some of the best. Maui's only full service kayak store - sales and rentals. Top MEDICAL EQUIPMENT HAWAII HOME INFUSION 4473 Pahee Street, Suite 1 Lihue, HI 96766 (Islands of Kauai, Oahu and Maui) Tel. (808) 245-3787 Offering the following services and equipment to visitors: home medical equipment and supplies, wheelchairs (manual and electric), IV therapy, and respiratory and oxygen therapy. Top SNORKELING / DIVING MAUI DIVE SHOP 1455 South Kihei Road Kihei, HI 96753 (Island of Maui) Tel. (808) 879-3388 or 1-800-542-DIVE Maui's full-service dive shop established in 1978. Nine locations island-wide. Daily diving / snorkeling boats to Molokini and Lanai. Choose between a 48 foot custom built Pro-Diver or two 32 foot Munson Jet-Drives. Continental breakfast, all equipment available. Call for the shop location nearest you. Top SURFING / WINDSURFING SPONSOR AL WEST'S MAUI VANS 180 East Wakea Avenue, Suite K Kahului, HI 96732 (Central Maui) Tel. (808) 877-0090 or 1-800-870-4084 (Reservations) Fax (808) 871-8733 Email: mauivan@mauivans.com Providing rental vans and station wagons to Maui windsurfers, surfers and vacation travelers for over 23 years. Featuring new or dependable used Fords and Chryslers - non-smoking vehicles that include windsurf and surfboard racks, free ice coolers, beach chairs, free child seats and beach toys. Free shuttle pick-up from the Kahului Airport. Photo FRIENDS A & B RENTAL 3481 Lower Honoapiilani Road Honokowai, HI 96761 (West Maui) Tel. (808) 669-0027 Snorkel masks, surfboards, etc. HAWAIIAN ISLAND SURF AND SPORT 415 Dairy Road, Suite A Kahului, HI 96732 (Central Maui) Tel. (808) 871-4981 or 1-800-231-6958 Have helped thousands of visitors from around the world come to Maui. They have it all - windsurfing and boardsurfing equipment sales and rentals, accommodations and car rentals. HI-TECH SURF SPORTS 425 Koloa Kahului, HI 96732 (Central Maui) Tel. (808) 877-2111 Considered one of Maui's best board stores. Carrying the largest selection of windsurfing equipment in Hawaii, Hi-Tech also has the biggest inventory of surfboards on Maui. Surfboard rentals and lessons. Rental includes two sails, roof rack, pads, harness, and lifejacket. Also offer kiteboards, skateboards, logo items and videos, and has a Hi-Tech Online Store. MAUI WINDSURF COMPANY 22 Hana Highway Kahului, HI 96732 (Island of Maui) Tel. (808) 877-4816 or 1-800-872-0999 The choice for all your windsurfing, kite sailing, and surfing needs. Lessons, new and used equipment for purchase or rental, used gear, windsurf vans and wagons. Specializing in windsurf vacations and offering accommodations in every price range - B&Bs, condos, cottages, homes, estates. Top Activities Index | Home Page Contact Us | Sponsor Join Us Form ©Ala Mua Hawaii 1997

Hawaii Volcano

Hawaii's Volcano Quake And Tsunami Man- MidWeek Cover 01-19-2005 | Midweek.com Hawaii's Volcano, Quake &Tsunami Man Brian Yanagi By Alice Keesing Volcanoes, earthquakes and tsunamis. Thats quite an explosive trio and its up to Brian Yanagi at state Civil Defense to prepare Hawaii for the trio of natural disasters. The dynamic nature of his charges has earned the former naval intelligence officer the nickname of Mr. Shake n Bake. On the serious side, its his job to make sure they dont become massive killers. Yanagi would never say it, but there have been frustrating times in recent years trying to keep the public alert and prepared for such devastating disasters. While tsunamis are the No. 1 natural disaster killer in the Islands, a whole generation has grown up without experiencing one. The it wont happen to us mindset has taken hold. But oh, how things have changed since Dec. 26. After the Indian Ocean earthquake and South Asia tsunami, Yanagi and other tsunami experts have been in hot demand. I have been getting multitudes of international, national and local media calls about Hawaiis tsunami preparedness program, Yanagi says. The focus may be on another part of the world right now, but its also time to shake up Hawaiis attitude to the killer waves. Tsunamis killed 221 people and injured hundreds more in Hawaii in the 20th century compared to seven people killed by hurricanes. And Yanagi worries that with todays densely populated coastlines, the potential for death and destruction is even greater. There has been an unusual period of quiet in recent times, but the oft-repeated line in tsunami circles is that its not a matter of if, but when. I would say that Hawaii is more susceptible to destructive tsunamis than the Indian Ocean countries, Yanagi says. Thats because Hawaii sits in the middle of the Pacific Ring of Fire, a geologically volatile circle ripe for the earthquakes and underwater landslides that can shift the huge amounts of water that trigger tsunamis. The location that most worries Yanagi is the Aleutian Islands off the coast of Alaska an earthquake there could spawn a tsunami that races south across the Pacific at 500 mph and reaches Hawaii in just five hours. Other areas the experts keep an anxious eye on are Chile and Japan. And then theres the potential danger of locally produced tsunamis. An earthquake on the Big Island could spawn a tsunami that sweeps ashore and through the islands in a matter of minutes. The real sleeper is Mauna Loa, Yanagi says. When it erupts, the strong earthquake shaking could generate a tsunami. Thats the one we need to keep an eye out for. Experts predict Mauna Loa will probably erupt in the next five years. The good news is that Hawaii is the most tsunami-prepared state in the nation and many are turning here for a role model in the wake of the recent tragedy. But given that, experts still agree there is a lot more that could be done even here. Yanagi and others hope the South Asia tragedy will provide the impetus for more resources to keep improving the system. In particular, Yanagi would like to see the number of tsunami detection buoys in the Pacific increased from six to as many as 30. Its those eyes in the ocean that help the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center predict the arrival of killer waves. Civil Defense also has spent years producing detailed checklists and developing response plans. When Civil Defense needs to spring into action, its hobbit-hole type bunker burrowed into the wall of Diamond Head Crater is full of ceiling-to-floor charts and maps, communication systems, an emergency radio broadcast facility, a generator and even bunks and supplies so the operation can continue 24 hours a day. Its part of Yanagis job to keep all that information up to date with the latest scientific information and to drill and drill and redrill the response plans. This is what Yanagi wants you to know:When the sirens sound, turn on your radio for the Civil Defense message. If its a tsunami warning, check your phone book to see if you are in a tsunami evacuation zone. If you are, get to higher ground. In the case of Waikiki, where an en masse evacuation would only result in traffic gridlock, the advice is to evacuate vertically get above at least three stories. People outside of the tsunami evacuation zones should just stay put, Yanagi says. Dont get in your car because youll just contribute to the traffic. Parents should also know that DOE schools are prepared to walk their students out. They practice and drill this. So parents dont need to rush down to pick them up. The situation becomes more urgent in the case of a locally produced tsunami. Things will happen so fast that there may not be time for a warning siren. If the ground shakes severely, or the ocean recedes or you hear the sound of a freight train coming for you, says Yanagi, thats Mother Natures way of warning you to get to higher ground. One of the nightmare scenarios for people like Yanagi and one that tragically occurred in South Asia is when people go down to look at the seabed that can be laid bare by the strong undertow-type forces that can precede the wave train. Animals sense danger and they run away, but when humans sense something unusual, even dangerous, they tend to wander down in harms way, Yanagi says. Now (after all the footage from South Asia) theres really no excuse for people to be wandering down to the ocean in the event of a tsunami. Hawaii tsunami expert Walter Dudley credits Yanagi and Civil Defense with efforts to educate the public on the dangers of tsunamis. The division teamed up with the Pacific Tsunami Museum and the Center for the Study of Active Volcanoes to distribute thousands of DVDs trying to debunk the myth that a tsunami is a surfable wave. Theyve been very, very proactive in that sense, says Dudley, author of Tsunami! and an oceanography professor at the University of Hawaii at Hilo. Worrying about impending threats has been the story of Yanagis career. Although to start with, he used to worry about manmade threats rather than those from Mother Nature. Yanagi grew up in Kaimuki, a childhood that he wryly says was spent trying to stay out of trouble and earn good grades to please his parents. His dad was Stanley Maui Yanagi, who was head of the Carpenters Union for 25 years in the 40s and 50s when Hawaii was becoming unionized. After graduating from Kalani High (where he was class president), Yanagi received a Congressional nomination to the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Md., from U.S. Sen. Spark Matsunaga. He earned his oceanography degree before going on to serve as a naval intelligence officer aboard the aircraft carrier USS Midway . Yes, it was real spy stuff, he says. Yanagi lived with Top Gun aviators and briefed them on Soviet Union and Middle Eastern intelligence operations. This was during the edgy times of the Iranian hostage crisis, the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan and the outbreak of the Iran-Iraq war. Yanagi had top-secret security clearance a real eye-opener to the world. The news only reports the tip of the iceberg, he says. I got to see the whole iceberg, what was really happening with politics and the military in the world. After retiring from the Naval Reserves, Yanagi went on to teach algebra and trigonometry at Hawaii Pacific College in the mid-80s. He then worked as a public relations consultant to Turtle Bay Resort promoting golf tournaments, including the inaugural Senior Skins Legends of Golf Tournament featuring Arnold Palmer, Gary Player, Chi Chi Rodriguez and Sam Snead. (Yanagi is a keen weekend chaser of the little white ball himself.) He joined the state Civil Defense Division in 1990. Last year he won the state defense departments employee of the year award. Thats pretty impressive when you consider the size of this department; thats thousands of people, says Civil Defense spokesman Ray Lovell. Hes very dedicated to what hes doing, Lovell adds. He realizes that the work he does, that were dealing with real life-and-death stuff. That has been driven home by what we saw in the Indian Ocean. We cant let down. When you spend your day thinking about killer waves that could descend within a matter of hours, it probably pays to have some light relief in your life. For this self-described middle-aged DINK (double income no kids), that relief came with an adventure into acting that started in the mid-90s. He got the bug when The Phantom of the Opera appeared at the Blaisdell. You just see how much fun these people are having on stage, Yanagi says. Its one of the great escapes you can have in life. Youre being another person for a while in your life. Its very invigorating. So he sings? Well, yes, badly, but I do sing. And Im trying to dance without falling over myself, he laughs. Yanagi has performed in half a dozen musicals, starring in Flower Drum Song with KHNL-8 anchor Jodi Leong, South Pacific with American Idol s Jordan Segundo and My Fair Lady with KHON-2s Tina Shelton. But these days, Yanagi is more involved with events on the world stage, organizing a visit to South Asia with an international team of scientists. They will be analyzing the damage caused by the tsunami. That information will help prepare Hawaii better for the next destructive tsunami, he says. Like others, Yanagi has been touched by the human tragedy. Even he is floored by the magnitude of the event. It just personally commits me more to this cause of saving lives and reducing property damage. To do that, he says, he needs people to pay attention and be smart too. MidWeek Home Page