For the most part, Sunday morning's earthquake spared the Hilo and Puna districts of the Big Island. Still, we all felt the earth move. It moved a lot. It's still the topic of conversation, from Hilo to Pahoa, Kalapana to Volcano Village. Wherever you go - the market, the gym, the beach - folks are comparing notes on how it impacted them.

My dogs barked like crazy and spun around in circles during the shaking. The cat whizzed out the open back door like a shot. The humans in my household are experienced earthquake riders, having survived the Northridge quake of 1994 in Los Angeles, living right at the epicenter during that rumble in the urban jungle. We all survived this ordeal too, as did our house. We're definitely feeling for our neighbors to the north and west. They weren't quite so fortunate as we were. While nobody was killed or even seriously injured by the quake, schools in Waikaloa and Waimea will remain closed for the remainder of the week. Many people have been displaced with their residences condemned and deemed unsafe. For once, those of us who live nearest the active volcano found ourselves in the safest part of the island. Even O'ahu and Maui took much bigger hits than we did. Since Sunday I've made a few passes through Hilo Town. Other than some missing roof tiles, Hawaii's second city looks no worse for the wear. The Hilo Farmers' Market was up and running this week without a hitch. Hotels, restaurants and shops are all open for business as usual. In fact, people in the Hilo and Puna Districts seem in especially good spirits everywhere I go. I think they're all feeling like I am; we're all thanking our lucky stars.

—, 10/19/06