Due to Hurricane Georgette, which hit Oahu last month, the weather forecast showed a “mix of sun, showers and humidity for the upcoming months,” according to Star Advertiser. BYU-Hawaii students shared their experiences with the hurricane and the changes in weather.Keiki Mataoa, an exercise and sports science freshman from Tahiti, said her biggest worry about the storm was the flooding. “Hawaii floods really easily and quickly. We were driving back to school when the storm hit. The roads were already half flooded and there were flash warnings in our phones,” said Mataoa. She said she was grateful the rain stopped or she would not have been able to return home.Asao Kamera, an accounting sophomore from Japan, said summer was really hot before the hurricane. “I remember I was in Kaneohe when the hurricane started and it was scary because whenever the thunder struck, the power would go off,” said Kamera. Because of the hurricane, the weather in Hawaii had become less hot, which he said he prefers. “The weather has become a lot less predictable. One moment there is really strong rain and things are flooding really quickly, and the next morning it’s gone and then it’s hot,” he added. The Star Advertiser article reported July through August would have “muggy conditions and an increased chance of showers.” Eric Blake, a hurricane specialist at the National Hurricane Center who regularly tweets about storm records, was quoted in the article. Blake said remnants of the hurricane can move past the island and reach tropical storm strength. He added, “It will be the tropical storm of the season and will be named Howard.” According to the National Hurricane Center, the last major hurricane to hit the islands was Iniki in 1992. The eye of the storm passed directly over Kauai, which cost 1 billion dollars in damage and the loss of six lives. Antoinette Yew, an international cultural studies sophomore from the Philippines, said the hurricane has improved the weather in Hawaii because it “has become less humid and it is less of a hassle when going out.” Yew described how the storms and floods last summer were worse. “There was even a video last year because of the flood at the field next to the TVA,” continued Yew. Although Georgette didn’t cause severe damage to the island, various parts of the island flooded, and residents took extreme caution during their travel on the roads.
Writer: Danna Osuma
