glad to hear everyone on the neighbor islands are o.k. it's amazing how the fodors community rallies around when concerned about others. I've gotten e-mails from all over the U.S. and as far away as London and India sending their prayers and hopes that all is well in Hawaii.
a big MAHALO for the great Fodor's community we are all a part of. your concern is greatly appreciated!
Aloha nui loa.

Thinking of you all, Stay safe!

wow! chepar & dusty, your power came on fast! mine did not go back up till about 945 pm.

I also woke up to the 6.5 quake. I live in a condo on the 33rd floor, so you can imagine what that felt like....swaying, shaking, building jumping up & down..... threw on some clothes and ran down to the lobby. cel phone service for me was spotty (if at all working) most of the day.

My friend said she was hungry but couldn't open the fridge, so I went over with my stash from Paris--saucisson, pate, tapenade--and we had a little picnic. that's one way to pass the day!

the weather was just miserable too, huh? very heavy rains....very sorry to the tourists who had to endure this today!

Right now I know folks in Hawaii are still in bed, but any further onsite updates from anyone?

Anyone know how the Kohala resorts fared in this quake? Any structural damage to the Mauna Kea/HBP/4S/Orchid/etc?

PHEW!!!!

We talked to a representative of the Fairmont Orchid last night. We couldn't get in touch with the hotel directly, but this person seemed to have the latest information. She said there was "minor" damage in the hotel, which she said meant broken glasses/plates, and that everybody was back in their rooms (last night EDT about 9:00 p.m. She said there was no structural to the hotel.

We are supposed to arrive on the Big Island on October 22, so we are keeping up closely with the news.

Mellisa: Soo glad you're ok and surviving on pate instead of spam (I like it tho and found the press to make spam muzubi). Is your wine cellar intact? Can't have pate without merlot, LOL!

Thank goodness all the Fodorites and everyone else on the islands are safe, it jangles the nerves to say the least. I spent the night in SF during the Loma Prieta quake, and spent 3 nights on a cot in a tent in Beijing after the Tangshan quake. No pate for me, only water and stale buns, rained and flooded.

Glad to hear no fatalities or serious injuries! We have friends visiting family from Kailua, Oahu, but haven't talked to them since this happened. They were to fly home today but imagine their flight has been cancelled.

The flight schedules today are supposed to be back to normal. My son left San Diego at 8:50am on Hawaiian. The bigger question for tourists might be the condition of the hotel or rental that they're going to stay in.

update on hotels in Kona:
Paniolo Club in Waikoloa, heavy structural damage and evacuated
Mauna Kea Beach Hotel- 8th floor and parts of the ocean wing closed, structural damage
Mauna Lani Bay Hotel and Bungalows- some damage as buildings shifted, parts evacuted until assessed for more damage
Four Seasons- minor damage to 30-40 rooms
Kona by the Sea hotel/condos- water pipes burst on 4th floor creating a waterfall. heavy damage
Some of the old churches on that side were damaged and quite a bit of damage to the Hulihee Palace on Alii drive.
At the 35 mile mark between Hilo and Kona, part of 1 lane collapsed but highway is open with a detour.
Aloha!

Any updates on the Fairmont Orchid?

Anyone have info about conditions on Maui?

sam-it wasn't on the damaged list, so other than the broken glass, it should be fine

maknikstym, thanks! So you think we're okay with going to the BI in six days? We keep hearing conflicting reports, and if there is substantial damage, we're thinking about changing our plans. We'd much rather go to the BI, though.

yeah, come on over. at most you'll have a short delay if driving over to Hilo if you go the Hamakua way, but the road through VNP has no problems and no other problems here. the ocean and beaches are open.

All travelers to HI, CA and other quake prone areas should have the basic knowledge of DUCK, COVER & HOLD indoors, kids in schools and adults in office buildings go thru drills in CA. Can someone help with what to do outdoors? I'll start with move away from electrical poles ...

Melissa, thank you for checking in, we all worried about you!

And your fridge description gives me an idea... is it easier to lose weight if you can't open it

re: conditions on Maui- power came back on yesterday after several hours. Poured rain this morning, but clearing now. I notice the forecast is for rain off and on over the next several days. At least the temperature is mild! Haven't been to the store yet to get more water etc- luckily we had been the evening before the quake and picked up some food!

When first hearing yesterday there'd been earthquake centered nr the Kona-Kohala coast, I thought of all thoseBI beachfront homes and resorts... the disaster in Asia Dec 2004... Hilo in 1960... first thought was THANK GOD no tsunami!