Akira Otani, born in Honolulu, Hawai'i in 1921, grew up in a predominantly Japanese neighborhood with a strong fishing industry presence. His father ran a fish stall and wholesale business, while his mother worked in the fish and pineapple canneries. Otani's father had little involvement at home due to his work schedule, and Otani and his siblings had to take care of themselves. He attended Pohukaina School, a Japanese-language school with strict discipline, and later pursued a college preparatory program at Washington Intermediate School and McKinley High School.

Albert Louis Stanley was born August 31, 1930 in Hilo, Hawai'i. His father, Clyde LeGrand Stanley, was originally from Missouri. He journeyed to Hawai'i as a young man in 1916 in search of excitement Settling flrst in Hilo working for Hawaiian Dredging Company, Clyde Stanley married Rosina Bassler, a public health nurse in Hilo. The couple eventually moved to Laupahoehoe, where he worked as a maintenance superintendent for Hawaiian Consolidated Railway, Ltd.

Albert Oliveira Adams, Portuguese, was born May 21, 1909, in Nuuanu, Oahu.

The seventh of thirteen children, Alexander M. Riviera was born in Hakalau, Hawai'i on August 9, 1931. His father was John Fernando Rivera, who immigrated from Puerto Rico in 1901, and Mary Dejesus Rivera, who was of Spanish descent and born in Hawai'i. [Note: Alexander changed the spelling of his last name.] Like many laborers, Riviera's father took on contracts at various sugar plantations on the Big Island. Riviera and his siblings spent their childhoods living in sugar plantation camps at Hakalau, Kukuihaele, Papa'aloa, and Papa'ikou.

Amoe Giugni, a Hawaiian-Chinese woman, was born in 1894 in Kahaluu, North Kana, Hawaii. Her father, Lee Sam, also known as Akamu by the Hawaiians, was a Chinese immigrant who owned a store and tailoring business . Her mother, Kipola, was a native Hawaiian from Kona who wove and sold lau hala products. From a young age, Amoe learned about fishing, lau hala weaving, and other Hawaiian practices. She continued to reside in Kahaluu into her late 80s.

One of twelve children, a woman discusses her family's background. She explains how the children divided their time between Oahu and Molokai, traveling on the inter-island steamships. She recalls the effect of the 1946 tsunami on family and neighbors. Also described are the traditional luaus (feasts). Goodhue was also interviewed for the Ualapue project.

Agustina (Abaya) Villa, Ilocano, was born in Dingras, !locos Norte, Philippines on August 28, 1893 . The fifth of six children, Agustina helped support the family by taking in laundry from the people of her barrio. She also sewed clothing. Agustina married Antonio Villa in 1913 . In 1924, Antonio left for Hawaii to find work in the sugarcane fields. He was assigned to Lahaina, Maui. Agustina remained in the Philippines and continued sewing and laundering until 1931, when she and two of her children joined Antonio in Lahaina .

Young marrieds in 1946, a woman and her husband were caught in the 1946 tsunami, which destroyed their beachfront house in Spreckelsville. She details their swimming to safety along with neighbors and coping in the aftermath of the flooding. Also recalled is the 1960 tsunami as it affected Kailua, Oahu.

A Kula-born man speaks briefly of his family and rural lifestyle. He remembers the tsunamis from the perspective of a young child.

Betty Neary Alberts was born in California and later moved to Hawai'i as a child. Her mother was a teacher and worked for the Naval Air Station during the war. Betty grew up in Pa'ia, Maui, where she enjoyed climbing trees, going to the beach, and playing games with friends. She attended grade school in Pa'ia and later moved to California for college. Betty got married at the end of her junior year in college and had four children.