Survivors remember the 1946 tsunami

Ronald Yamaoka talks about surviving the 1946 tsunami 77 years ago at Laupahoehoe Point with his family on Saturday, April 1, 2023. Yamaoka was class president of the Laupahoehoe High and Elementary School Class of 1952, which was the last class to graduate from LHS while it was still located at Laupahoehoe Point. Honohina-Papa'aloa Hongwanji observed the memory of 1946 tsunami with the annual Tsunami Memorial Service at the Point.

Tomoko Izumi Mohideen, left, and Kawaihona Poy hold each other while looking a memorabilia from other services remembering the 1946 tsunami at Laupahoehoe Point on Saturday, April 1, 2023. The Laupahoehoe High and Elementary School Class of 1952 dedicated a new memorial and tree to victims and survivors of the tsunami after an annual service by Honohina-Papa'aloa Hongwanji.

Miwako Miura Tsuruda greets Kawaihona Poy, middle, and Tomoko Izumi Mohideen during an annual service in remembrance of the 1946 tsunami at Laupahoehoe Point on Saturday, April 1, 2023. The Laupahoehoe High and Elementary School Class of 1952 dedicated a new memorial and tree to victims and survivors of the tsunami after an annual service by Honohina-Papa'aloa Hongwanji

Miwako Miura Tsuruda views a new memorial dedicated to the victims and survivors of the 1946 tsunami after an annual service by Honohina-Papa'aloa Hongwanji at Laupahoehoe Point on Saturday, April 1, 2023. Miura Tsuruda was a student in the Laupahoehoe High and Elementary School Class of 1952, which was the last class to graduate from the school at the Point.

A tree was planted by Hawaii County Parks and Recreation as a memorial to lives lost and survivors of the 1946 tsunami that hit Laupahoehoe Point 77 years ago. Honohina-Papa'aloa Hongwanji observed the memory of 1946 tsunami with the annual Tsunami Memorial Service at the Point on Saturday, April 1, 2023.

People participate in the Honohina-Papa'aloa Hongwanji's annual Tsunami Memorial Service to remember lives lost in 1946 tsunami at Laupahoehoe Point on Saturday, April 1, 2023.

Rev. Satoshi Ka`imipono Tomioka leads the annual Tsunami Memorial Service to remember lives lost in 1946 tsunami at Laupahoehoe Point on Saturday, April 1, 2023.

Aunty Lucille Chung, right, helps Pi'ilani Chaves participate in the annual Tsunami Memorial Service at Laupahoehoe Point on Saturday, April 1, 2023. Honohina-Papa'aloa Hongwanji observed the memory of 1946 tsunami with the service and then a dedication to a new memorial by the Laupahoehoe Elementary and High School Class of 1952.

Kawaihona Poy, right, greets a friend while participating in the annual Tsunami Memorial Service at Laupahoehoe Point on Saturday, April 1, 2023. Honohina-Papa'aloa Hongwanji observed the memory of 1946 tsunami with the service and then a dedication to a new memorial by the Laupahoehoe Elementary and High School Class of 1952.

Dr. Walter Dudley speaks to the crowd during the annual Tsunami Memorial Service at Laupahoehoe Point on Saturday, April 1, 2023. Dr. Dudley read the words from a survivor of the 1946 tsunami that recently passed away this year.

Ronald Yamaoka talks about surviving the 1946 tsunami 77 years ago at Laupahoehoe Point with his family on Saturday, April 1, 2023. Yamaoka was class president of the Laupahoehoe High and Elementary School Class of 1952, which was the last class to graduate from LHS while it was still located at Laupahoehoe Point. Honohina-Papa'aloa Hongwanji observed the memory of 1946 tsunami with the annual Tsunami Memorial Service at the Point.

Flowers have been laid in front of a memorial for the lives lost in the 1946 tsunami that his Laupahoehoe Point 77 years ago. Honohina-Papa'aloa Hongwanji observed the memory of tsunami with the annual Tsunami Memorial Service on Saturday, April 1, 2023.