From relatives on O'ahu, prayers and love

By Rod Ohira
Advertiser Staff Writer

Chaminade University students and others gathered for a prayer service on the Honolulu campus.

Members of Chaminade University's Samoan community gathered at the school's chapel to pray and watch a TV weather report on the approach to American Samoa of Hurricane Olaf. "Right now, all we can do here is pray," said Chaminade senior Letasi Tanoi of Fagatogo. Deborah Booker • The Honolulu Advertiser

"This one is supposed to be ... longer stronger than Heta (in January 2004)," Tanoi said. His family lives at the base of a mountain, which, by the time Heta passed through, looked "like somebody took a Weed Whacker to it," he said.

The mountain shields the family home but landslides are always a threat during hurricanes, said 18-year-old freshman Leifiloa Tanoi, Letasi's sister. "My father and brothers at home probably dug a trench around the house and I'm just concerned my brother and I are here and not there to help them," she said.

The Tanois talked to their family about 4 p.m. yesterday and were told the winds were picking up. "Usually hurricanes last about two days but Val (in 1991) was three days," Letasi Tanoi said. "There won't be water or electricity for about two weeks. But a cellular company in Samoa has assured us we'll be able to call our family. Right now all we can do here is pray."

Chaminade freshman Jasmine Laumoli, whose father is the assistant police chief of Leone, is a Protestant but planned to attend a Catholic midnight Mass at Chaminade. "I know my family is under one roof engaging in prayer and we're praying here for the safety of everyone," she said. "Leone is on flat land so I hope they were able to warn the families in other villages."

Annie Tuiolemotu, a Chaminade sophomore from Malaeloa, felt helpless. "There's nothing I can do for my family except pray and send my love," she said.

Reach Rod Ohira at rohira@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-8181.