In response to the letters in The Comox Valley Record about our local radio stations and how they responded to the latest storms, I would like to say that I, too, have tuned in to local stations and promptly tuned out again because of the generic nature of the broadcast. As a Cumberland resident, I would like to have MORE up-to-date local news and local content. I would like to hear music by our local musicians rather than the mainstream top ten, and I would definitely like to hear more contributions from people on their cellphones reporting on actual events as they happen. Especially in a storm. I would like to tell you about an experience I had while living on Kauai for two months, a couple of years ago.

Every so often Hawaii gets hit by a truly awful storm. There was one on the day after I arrived in November, where the surf actually came up over the road, which hadn’t happened for many years. All the local surfers were delighted. Then there was another huge hit the day before I left in January. Hurricane-force winds buffeted the island, roofs flew off, roads were covered by mudslides, surf swept up under the foundations of high-end housing. I hunkered down in my daughter’s house, hoping the place would hold together, nearly jumping out of my skin every time a coconut came hurling onto the tin roof like a bomb going off. I was concerned, among many things, that I wouldn’t be able to get my flight the next day.

My daughter always listens to a local radio station. It is always going in the kitchen, emergency or not, because it is A GOOD STATION. It truly reflects the issues and interests of the local community. That day I really got to hear what community radio was all about. As it was an emergency, there was very little music played. But it was totally entertaining. The broadcasters were obviously local and proud to be a part of the island community. People would phone in with reports like “Ko’omo’o road is washed out”, “Mrs. Lee’s chickens got out and she needs help to get them in”, “Mr. Miamoto’s roof is sitting on the crossroad in front of the gas station”. This was all important stuff to everybody. There were reports from the windward side of the island, and everybody on our side listened to that because they could see when the wind might die down. There were a lot of very uplifting stories about people helping people, and at many times I got a lump in my throat, and a tear in my eye, at the care and concern that everyone seemed to have for each other.

That day listening to the radio was an experience I will never forget. It was a part of the whole experience of a memorable storm, in a great community, on a magical island. It spoke of just how beautiful humans can be in hard times. I know we have the same potential to feel this kind of bond with our fellow citizens. Now, more than ever before, we need it. The radio should get on the program and become the leaders they could be in bringing and keeping us all together as community.

Sincerely, in hope.
Teresa Wild