HONOLULU (KHON2) — The escalating conflict between Israel and Iran has the entire world on edge, and it is hitting very close to some for Hawaii residents.
KHON2 spoke to a University of Hawaii student who is currently in southern Israel.
The ripple effects are felt here in Hawaii as missiles light up the skies over Israel after its attack on Iran. Concern is growing for loved ones caught in the conflict.
“When you hear the siren, you only have, where we’re located right now, we only have a minute and a half to get into the shelter. So if you are in your room, if you are anywhere where it’s going to take you longer, if you are elderly or, incapacitated in any way. You are in more danger, basically,” said UH student Yael.
Yael is a UH student on a Birthright trip in southern Israel. She left Tel Aviv just one day before Iranian missiles struck the city and she is now sheltering in a hotel — constantly being jolted awake.
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“It’s really nerve-wracking to be woken up at like 2:30 a.m. to hear sirens, and to be told by your roommates, ‘Hey, you got to go sit in the shelter right now for all of our safety,” she said.
State Rep. Diamond Garcia is urging action to protect Americans abroad, including Hawaii residents like Yael.
“I think the State Department needs to start communicating quickly to both elected officials and to the embassies across the world, quite frankly, to lay out a clear path to evacuate U.S. citizens,” Rep. Garcia said.
The constant threat is unsettling, even though Yael said her group feels safe.
“But I also completely understand the very valid fear of, you know, coming to this really beautiful place, going on this really amazing trip and knowing that there’s a bomb shelter in every hotel because there has to be,” she said.
Rep. Garcia said Hawaii’s prayers are with those in harm’s way and he is hoping for their safe return.
“Here in Hawaii, we’re thinking of you, we’re praying for you, and we pray for your safe return back home to the U.S., back to Hawaii. Godspeed and God bless,” he said.
Yael is planning to finish up her teaching program at UH when tensions die down — hopefully before the new semester begins in August.