An existential threat is a danger that threatens the very survival, continued existence, or fundamental identity of a person, group, nation, or species . [ 1 , 2 , 3 ] While most computer models predicted that Hurricane Nolo would make that left turn to the west, and keep sufficiently away from Hawaii to only bring winds and rain, this serious threat was still possible yesterday.  Now : As of 5 a.m., Nolo was a Category 2 hurricane with 105 mph maximum sustained winds and higher gusts, and was centered 260 miles southwest of South Point and 355 miles south of Honolulu. It was moving west at 12 mph, according to the Central Pacific Hurricane Center. Here are two photos I took this morning from my apartment.  The eye of Hurricane Nolo is 355 miles to the south, beyond these shots. So the State of Hawaii was able to escape utter doom.  Yet : Hurricane Nolo yesterday not only stalled and made that 90 degree turn to the west, but also weakened from 105 MPH to 100, then t...

Again, Hawaii sidestepped Hurricane Lowell, or the other way around.  In any case, there were some damages.   Here is a video , titled, Chaos in Hawaii...Powerful Hurricane Lowell Wreaks Havoc, Devastating Kauai.   And another. As the Silver Whisper approaches Hawaii, a story on how we became the 50th state in the Union.  The following came through my e-mail, and I have no idea who wrote it.  I'll use italics when I refer to the write-up and add a few graphics.  Thank you, whoever you are.  For six decades, Washington's answer was NO. Hawaii was not American enough. Senators said the reasons out loud. Hiram Fong remembered them all his life: "It was said that we were Communist-infiltrated, that there were too many orientals here, that we would not be good Americans." Mississippi's James Eastland put it even plainer. Statehood would mean "two votes against all racial segregation." For the men who ran the Senate, that was reason enough to keep ...