In dangerous and treacherous situations the persons called on to rescue and retrieve survivors and victims were honored this year at the Seventh Annual Tsunami Story Festival.  Entitled “Tsunami First Responders”, the event was held on Sunday, April 5th at Sangha Hall.

These were the stories of neighbors and friends who recounted what they experienced as they were called on in the tsunamis of 1946 and 1960 to warn, document what was happening, and to rescue and retrieve victims.  Telling their stories were policemen Teruo Morigaki and Robert “Steamy” Chow, National Guardsman Yukio Takeya, Mortician Larry Dodo, Red Cross volunteer Curtis Narimatsu, Boy Scout Ron Furukawa and Dr. Walter Dudley, who told the story of the ill-fated naval rescue attempts at Laupahoehoe.