Kim Hanes scraped tape off the window at her store, Chase & Hanes Fine Art and Home Accents, in Hilo this morning. The tape is no longer needed because Flossie has come and gone. REBECCA BREYER | The Honolulu Advertiser   Fujiyo Kuroyama, left, of Hilo and her daughter-in-law Lily of Machado Acres were happy to see life quickly returning to normal on the Big Island after the threat of Flossie passed. REBECCA BREYER | The Honolulu Advertiser

The farmers market and neighboring shops in Hilo were full of residents and tourists this morning, chatting about the hurricane that never came. Most said they were grateful they had been prepared, and happy the storm had passed quickly and almost unnoticed.

"I'm glad it happened," said Lily Kuroyama of Machado Acres. "This particular event gave everyone an opportunity to work with their neighbors."

Kuroyama, 59, and her 90-year-old mother-in-law were in Hilo yesterday to get a little shopping done.

They said they were surprised to see things back to normal so quickly.

"I'm very grateful it didn't cause any damage," Kuroyama said.

Flossie was a Category 1 hurricane when it passed south of the Big Island on Tuesday night. It spurred some high surf and winds at South Point, but not much rain.

No damage was reported.

In downtown Hilo, shopkeepers set to work removing tape from windows, putting away sandbags and welcoming customers.

Carolyn Chase, co-owner of Chase & Hanes Fine Home and In-home Accents, said the storm had her worried for a little while.