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...

I yesterday began this series with a posting on my family.  For completeness, I'll be going back in time through some of my roots searches in Japan.  The featured individual is Kenjiro Takahashi, my father's father.   For those new to this blog site, start with Part 1 , with a key posting being on 31March2009, providing the background. So anyway, as I said, Kenjiro is from Utashinai, Hokkaido, a place I have now visited twice. So coal was found in Utashinai when the town had 500 people. Kenjiro was sent to the U.S., but there is no info on where or when. He first came to Kauai in 1900 and had an important role in the building of that first hydro plant at Wainiha on Kauai. In the 1920s, Utashinai's population had grown to 30,000. Coal became depleted, and population today around 5000.  Famous to now be the smallest city in Japan. The town has become a boutique village with a winery and ski resorts. To quote : The most exciting part about the potential search is ...