GREAT GIFT

Jack Johnson singing the right tune about public libraries

Part of the beauty of donating to public libraries is that the educational institutions help people who are trying to help themselves.

In the down economy, Hawaii libraries are filled not only with the usual schoolkids checking out pleasure books and doing homework, but also with jobseekers using the free Internet, scanning the newspapers for work leads and reading up on how to boost their interviewing skills.

More than 500 people have donated a total of $100,000 since a statewide campaign began Sept. 2.

Let's hope more folks follow big donor Jack Johnson's lead, as the singer (who gave $25,000) demonstrates how a donation to the public library system ultimately trickles down to benefit many motivated, needy individuals.

CLOSE CALL

Tsunami scare was a reminder to be prepared

Yesterday's tsunami watch for Hawaii generated a lot of buzz and excitement — but fortunately, very little danger here.

Triggered by an 8.3 magnitude earthquake off American Samoa, the tsunami watch was issued at 8:05 a.m., raising anxieties and readiness until it was canceled 2 1/2 hours later.

As a precaution, Kamehameha Schools did close its Honaunau School in West Hawaii and its preschool on Molokai, citing the schools' proximity to shorelines.

The tsunami watch, in fact, was a good reminder for everyone to learn if they were in danger, whether they were at school, work or play. If the danger had escalated, a next-step tsunami warning would have been issued, calling for the evacuation of coastal areas. Refer to evacuation zone and disaster information in the front pages of the telephone book.