
Boulder Buddies Volcano Relief
Boulder Buddies Ed Jukkola, Paul Krupka, Curtis Moore, Keith Thompson, and Carl Worthington (Boulder High Class of 1975) want our friends Frank Baker, Lori Baker and Tom MacKay, who live in Leilani Estates, to know we care and can collectively lean on us in the spirit of the beautiful Bill Withers tune. Please consider a donation to support our campaign, which we hope will provide a bit of cash to help them manage.
Some Observations from Curtis
I was on the Big Island of Hawaii last month. As a tourist, I was excited to see and experience an active volcano. Kilauea was everything and more. I was staying on the Kona side and enjoyed the paradise. No sign of smoke or toxic fumes in my domain.
However, earthquakes, eruptions, massive lava flows and evacuations were the daily experience on the Pahoa side of the island. I decided to take a heli tour and view the lava flows and check it out. I had been getting daily updates from Frank Baker.
The view from the air was dramatic, stunning and powerful. A scene right out of JR Tolkien’s middle earth of fire and destruction. The pilot told us how the communities that were being overrun were devastated. Many residents had no insurance as had lost everything. It hit pretty hard since Frank Baker, Lori Baker and Tom MacKay have homes and property affected by lava flows that were indiscriminately reshaping the landscape and their lives.
I spoke to Frank and Tom, and both shared a profound sense of sadness.
Frank, always upbeat, was uncharacteristically reserved. He spoke of Pele’s will and this unprecedented life experience; he said he was living the moment. The adrenaline high of the situation was both fueling his urge to hang tough and a desire to seek other pastures. His property above the fissures remains untouched -- at this point -- but danger lurks within a 1/2 mile as shown on the photo from his property gate.
Tom lost his home, property and pineapple crop. Additionally, he was dealing with a serious leg infection that required an emergency room visit and luckily is on the mend. He was unable to get things from his home before the flows took his land. He is staying with neighbors as he recuperates.
Paul told me that Lori is staying with family and just relocated to a rental in Pahoa town to ride out the fury. She is 'ohana and shares her open heart with all. Lori told Paul she is hanging with "her woman Pele." We have shared many good times with Lori and know she will hang tough and help others to the same.
Frank and Tom came to this island with high hopes and built wonderful lives in paradise. Lori was born in Hawaii and embodies Hawaii style. They are humble, proud, grateful people who now are experiencing challenges we can only imagine.
Please Support the Boulder Buddies Volcano Relief Fund! Thank you.
Managing the Funds Raised
As mentioned at the top, our intent is to provide cash to three friends, which they may use however they wish. Paul will be responsible for withdrawing and distributing the funds.