⚠️ Content Warning: This episode includes personal recollections of a natural disaster and may be distressing to some listeners.

In this first part of a two-parter, my mom shares her memories of the 1946 Hilo tsunami—an event that shaped her childhood. It’s a subdued episode, as we take a look at what happened in the days leading up to and following the disaster. While it’s a departure from the lighthearted episodes we’re used to, this story is also a part of her history, so we are capturing and sharing it here. In Part 2, next week’s episode, we’ll hear more about the event itself and reflect on how it has influenced her life to this day.