Mom and Dad are back home in Kihei after the all-clear has been sounded.

"We had a good tsunami," said Mom cheerfully when they phoned to tell me to stop worrying. "We met some new friends and we had a barbecue." They had met the owners of a ziptrek business in Kula, who opened up their shop so that Mom, Dad and some other evacuees had a bathroom to use, and then they all ended up getting together and grilling some steaks in a nearby parking lot. Evacuee tailgate party!

In all seriousness, though, while I'm glad my parents' experience has been positive (and safe!), I feel for my friends in Chile and hope they and all their loved ones are safe and sound.