Students at Hawaiian Mission Academy immediately empathized with the thousands of victims of the recent tsunami disaster in Southeast Asia. Although warning systems are much more prevalent in Hawaii, residents can identify with the terrifying effects of a tsunami. It has happened here before. The latest occurred in 1960 after an earthquake in Chile.

HMA students were immediately concerned when they heard that more than 50 percent of the casualties were children. That, to them, made the victims their “brothers and sisters” of the world. As soon as they returned from Christmas vacation, they wanted to do something to show they care. Within three days, students raised $1,180 for the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA). Students are continuing their efforts with other fundraising events, including a car wash. Student Association President Reira Ohara is quite sure that “students will not soon forget” and will want to continue to make fundraising a long-range project.