Gratefully Saddened
By Braddah Lance
Last Friday shortly before 1pm, I saw a breaking news link posted online but the weird part about it was there wasn't an article attached to it.
The link was titled "Pearl City House Fire" - or something to that effect - but when I clicked on it, nothing showed. I had an eerie feeling so I checked again a few minutes later thinking it might be a server error but nada. I texted Da Wife and no answer. I called my grandmother's cell, no answer. I checked the link again and nothing.
Normally I don't think twice about articles like that even though it says "Pearl City" but this one for some reason left an uneasy feeling in my stomach.
I later get a text from Da Wife saying she left work early and found out that the house fire I was intent on finding out about was actually on our street just a few houses up! 
A funny thing about the street you live on - especially around your home - you may not know the names of your neighbors but you certainly know their face and what kind of car(s) they drive.
While I didn't know the family living there personally, I only "knew" of the oldest kid - fo' realz, he couldn't be more than 20 - cause we always said "Wassup" as we drove by each oddah's home or if we were walking past. They have an old school red 4-runner, a gold Hyundai sedan and a recent Volkswagon... or is it an Audi.
As I headed home, I drove by and saw their house. It was totally gutted by the fire and while the structure still stood tall, everything they owned - both material and non - literally turned to ash.
My heart sank but it was nothing compared to the feelings they were going through. They were surrounded by fire officials, family, friends and a few neighbors with the distinct smell of burnt wood lingering strong.
As I took Da Dog out for a bathroom break, two of our closer neighbors were already outside so I asked what happened. They overheard - so don't quote me on it - the fire started from one of those chargers that overheated (WWD!) which then exploded some aerosal cans next to it and you can imagine how flammable everything became after.
I went back inside, gathered up as much clothes as I could get and walked over. Shorts, pants, t-shirts, polos, aloha shirts and a note with my name and number. I told them to call or text me should they need a place to shower or if they wanted a home-cooked meal (no pun intended) and to let me know if they needed anything all, don't hesitate to ask.
Da Dog had tagged along and there's something about animals that puts a smile on peoples faces even for a moment.
After talking with the father - he was so heartbroken - he put up a strong front and said, "we just gotta rebuild" and truthfully, that's all you can do. Then he petted Da Dog and meekly smiled. He also said/asked, "you da guy on da motorcycle yeah?"
So many things ran through my mind as I felt like crap for them but at the same time I was thanking God that it wasn't our home. Then I snapped back to reality and unplugged every single thing that wasn't plugged into a surge protector. And yes, my surge protectors are "current" (no pun intended) and I certainly do not overload them.
Now I ask all of you especially with older homes (wiring), please unplug any electrical devices you do not need and certainly try to remember to unplug the charging types once it's pau charging like your cell phones or laptops and double check your older - and newer - devices as well by seeing if they become hot to the touch if plugged in for a certain amount of time.
Surah it's in one ear, out da oddah and no one evah tinks twice about stuff li'dat especially considering da odds of it happening but let me tell you, if you seen their faces you would certainly not want to chance it.
It became a moment wea I was tinking of all da "stuff" we have and wat would happen if we lost it all in a blink of an eye. Surah, it can all be replaced eventually but da emotional trauma is something that will never be replaced. Thankfully no one was hurt but something is now missing from your soul as you see your home destroyed.
I really don't know wat I'm saying already cause I'm still in shock for them as I pass by their charred home.... but now at least I know their names.
Wassup Wit Dat!
August 13th, 2012 at 11:30 am
thankfully nobody got hurt. hopefully your display of aloha will help to strengthen the family.
August 13th, 2012 at 12:56 pm
Reminds me of when there was a fire in Pearl City one morning and as I was driving to work I heard on da radio it was on the street my parents and my uncle/aunty/cousins live on two doors down. My heart was racing as I drove over to find out that it was the home in between my parents and my uncle/aunty/cousins home. Luckily their homes were okay. No feeling sorry fo da house got burned because as it turns out da guy was cooking meth wen it went up and he bolted wen it got out of hand. Da house is gone and was sold and the house is replaced and a nice family lives there now. Remember how da neighbors all came out to check on my parents and uncle/aunty/cousins to make sure everyting okay.
August 13th, 2012 at 1:51 pm
Wow that was very nice of you to take your clothes over to them, offer a meal and a shower facility.
August 13th, 2012 at 5:04 pm
Sad story.
Thanks for showing some Aloha, I am sure they appreciated it!
August 13th, 2012 at 10:03 pm
so sad to hear that they lost everything in the house... they lucky to have a good neighbors in time of need... the world be a nicer place to live if it had more people like you!
August 14th, 2012 at 1:20 am
Wow BL... my ohana's prayers and thoughts go out to the family. You are a great example for the meaning of Aloha.
dihudfan said it right; "the world be a nicer place to live if it had more people like you!"
Mahalo!
August 14th, 2012 at 4:58 am
Wow, BL, thanks for the reminder to be careful and share aloha.
August 14th, 2012 at 5:33 am
You're a good man, BL. Share aloha and yes, I look at my things different now.
August 14th, 2012 at 6:13 am
Guud morning BL!
We need to be thankful for what we have. Thanks BL for sharing your Aloha spirit.
August 14th, 2012 at 6:53 am
BL - going change your name to Ichiban.
aloha
August 14th, 2012 at 12:22 pm
i know what you mean... you feel relieved that it's not your house, but feel bad that it happened to someone else. wow, gotta remember to unplug our chargers when they're not in use... scary stuff! you're a good person to help out your neighbors like that... live aloha! this is a good reminder to be more grateful and to share the aloha!
August 14th, 2012 at 12:58 pm
U da man BL
August 14th, 2012 at 4:37 pm
Every time I see or read about something happening in Pearl City, especially near Waimano Home Road, I think of you and my friend that lives next door to one of our sub stations. I get so worried and pray it wasn't either one of you and your families.
I'm so sad for the family. You know they probably tried to be careful and trust that everything is ok. But then something like this happens. Unforeseen occurrences.
Thanks for being a good neighbor. I too need to know my neighbors. We greet each other in passing but don't really know them.
Thanks for the safety reminders.
August 15th, 2012 at 5:55 am
Howzit BL!
August 15th, 2012 at 8:33 am
I hope oddahs can do da same and yeah, thankfully no one got hurt as da three dat were home were able to get out safely.
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I know! It's a funny feeling yeah? At least in your situation it ended up being a "good" thing.
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I would like to tink any of us would do da same. Maybe not for a complete stranger in Timbuktoo but someone at least dat you see or kinda know.
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It is sad and I certainly hope no one goes through it.
I see them there everyday still trying to rummage things and they always wave with a smile wen I pass by.
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If everyone just show a little Aloha, not a lot, just a little, dis world would be so much different.
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Nah, just a good core up bringing and passing it on.
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Das wat I'm hea for!
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Man? I'm still a boy in an old man's body.
And yeah, I tink das wat's missing sometimes wea we all gotta try look at things from a different angle.
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I know! Sometimes I lose sight of dat as well.
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Nah, jus' doing my part in da world. There are a TON of oddah people more Ichiban den me.
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I'm some kine of man but not DA Man.
And I nevah fo'get about your email either.
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So you only tink bad things about us?
Nah, I know wat you mean.
Rogah. We all do dat, trusting dat wat we buy will work properly.
Yeah, sometimes hard.
August 15th, 2012 at 9:17 am
Lance you the man. Your kindness and thoughtfulness(Aloha), I'm sure was much appreciated by the family. Tragedy brings the best out of Braddahs like you. Your expression about the loss of the home is truly what anyone who loses a loved one or home goes through. The home is the root that binds the family to together, it has a soul as you say, something inside you seems to be gone. However the human spirit is capable of overcoming loss of material things as opposed a loved one. Thanks for your kind jestures, it is heart warming.
August 16th, 2012 at 6:33 pm
Oh wow, I think my heart stopped because I thought it was your house you were talking about. That is so sad and I'm sorry for your neighbors. It always makes me nervous when my daughter uses her flat iron bc I'm so scared she will forget to turn it off one day. you are a good neighbor and I'm sure they appreciated your kindness during such a stressful time.