Of the four natural disasters in Hawaii that we have studied, the disaster that seems to have the fewest points on the bright side is the earthquake. The experts we interviewed for this project really had to think hard when we asked for their opinion on this. We can say that a benefit to earthquakes is it prompts people to build stronger structures. Because we keep learning more and more about earthquakes all the time we are better aware of where earthquakes could possibly strike. This means that city planners can better prepare for a safer future.

 

Jim Kauahikaua, the volcanologist at the Hawaii Volcano Observatory, remarked, " Well, earthquakes certainly change the topography of the land, if you like that sort of thing." As a matter of fact, the grand splendor of Kauai's Waimea Canyon (known as the Grand Canyon of the Pacific) was created in part by a massive earthquake.

 

As with facing the aftermath of any disaster, it is truly impressive the way the people of Hawaii with their aloha spirit join together and lift each other up to begin anew.

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