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POSTED: Sunday, December 28, 2008

Warm candlelight illuminated yesterday's morning service for worshippers at Waimanalo Seventh-day Adventist Church.

               

     

 

 

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“;Even though man's power is out, God's power is still on,”; Head Elder Pat McGuire preached to about half the usual number of parishioners.

Despite the outage that continued to plague much of this rural community and others on Oahu late yesterday morning, the church, like the rest of Waimanalo, abided.

Head Deacon Norman McGuire said church officials considered canceling the service, but decided “;it's not a big deal,”; and canceled only the potluck that usually follows.

The outage meant a time to share. One resident said his neighbor offered to share generator power to keep his refrigerator cool, and brought over a battery-powered radio and a hurricane lamp.

The Waimanalo Feed Store bustled with activity as customers flowed in and out.

“;We want to stay open for the people; mainly for the animals,”; store clerk and repair man George Tayasu said. “;The animals got to eat, too,”; he said, adding that they carry hay and feed for horses, chickens, dogs and cats.

Customer Joan Ogata returned to pay for an earlier purchase. “;They let me pick up bedding for my horse,”; she said. When the power went out, they didn't accept credit cards. “;They've been so nice. They let me sign for it.”;

For others, the outage meant no work.

Cresencia Lorenzo, 54, was working Friday night at Dave's Hawaiian Ice Cream Parlor when the power fizzled off.

“;I just leave it,”; she said, and never gave the ice cream a second thought. “;I only grab my bag and locked the door.”;

Lorenzo called her boss yesterday. “;She said no work.”;

But for Seong Shin Lee and husband Kwon Yong Park, who bought the business in March, the outage meant more than a day's wages.

Each of the dozens of tubs in the showcase had melted into a worthless mess - about $2,000 worth of inventory.

“;Yes, all the way,”; said Lee, the heartbreak showing on her face as she opened the case to reveal liquid ice cream in numerous flavors.

“;Yesterday is delivery day,”; Lee said, and the bottom layer in the showcase as well as a freezer in the back contained full tubs.

Park had considered a generator. “;It's several thousand dollars - too expensive for a small business,”; he said.

Next door at Ken's In & Out Plate Lunch, Roberta Soria, 59, was buying chicken katsu for her granddaughter Florina Soria, 11, since they couldn't cook at home.

“;We went to my brother's home for breakfast,”; she said. “;They get pancit (noodles). We get more food in the house, but we cannot make hot. So now it's lunchtime, so we come here.”;

Her brother, who lives in a nearby subdivision, had power restored at 5 a.m. yesterday.

Florina said she hadn't eaten the night before because they couldn't cook, and didn't join her aunt, who ate rice and bananas.

Donald LeBlanc, 42, of Toronto left his Waikiki hotel room, which had no power, and discovered Ken's since Jack-in-the-Box was closed and Subway served only chips and soda.

“;Here, at least there's some warm food,”; he said.

 

Food safety tips

The state Health Department offers these tips on food safety during and after power outages.

  » Newer refrigerators not opened during the outage should keep food safe for four hours. In older refrigerators or those that were opened, food safety is harder to assure.

» Once food approaches 70 degrees Fahrenheit, it should be discarded.

» Discard any food that has an off color or odor, or food that has warmed to room temperature for an unknown amount of time.

» The best rule is: When in doubt, throw it out.

» Milk and other dairy products should be discarded after the refrigerator power is off for more than four hours.

» Hard cheeses, butter and margarine are safe unless mold or rancidity develops.

» Fresh vegetables and fruits are safe as long as they are not slimy.

» Eggs are safe for two days if shells are intact.

» Fresh poultry, meats, cold cuts, hot dogs and other perishables should be discarded or eaten if food approaches room temperature.

» Mayonnaise, vinegar and oil, commercially prepared dressings, jellies, jams, relishes, ketchup, mustard and pickles may be left unrefrigerated unless they have been contaminated with poultry, fish or meat products.

» A well-stocked freezer that is in good condition and opened at a minimum should keep foods frozen for up to 48 hours. Large cuts of meat and poultry will stay frozen longer than baked goods or smaller items.

» Fully stocked chest freezers will keep foods frozen for up to 72 hours.