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roads leading toward Diamond Head.
    “Jeez,” I say. “We may want to head out soon if that doesn’t let up.”
    Dad wears a look of deep concentration. Finally, he says, “Honey, I’m beginning to wonder if they’ll be able to do any tests today.”
    “But I already missed my meds last night!” My voice rises.
    A flash of worry in his eyes. “Right.”
    “We have to go, Dad. I don’t want to have a fit sitting here in the hotel.”
    “Sure. I’ll see if I can call the clinic. Grab me a glass of water, would you?”
    He shuffles over to the nightstand for his cell phone. When I emerge from the bathroom, he has the hotel phone to his ear instead. I place a glass of water down next to him, and he shows me his cell. “Thanks. Look: zero bars. The network’s not even activated.”
    I take the cell phone and study it like it’s a piece of art.
    “Yeah, good morning,” Dad says into the phone. “Hey, do you know what’s going on? Have you guys heard anything?… Everywhere?… I was wondering if I could place a call.… Allen Medical Group.… Well, why is
this
working?”
    Dad hangs up and shakes his head. “Net’s down. No phone books. Landlines aren’t working anyway. The hotel’s old switchboard works, but that’s it.”
    “Did they say what’s going on?”
    Dad shrugs. “No. Power is off and on. Satellite signals, too.”
    “Should we just get to the clinic?” I ask.
    “Yeah. Let’s go.”
    “Why does all this have to be happening
now
?” I say.
    “It’s okay, hon. It’ll all work out. Go ahead and get ready.”
    “Are you going to have breakfast first?”
    “I’ll grab something I can bring.”
    Dad snatches up a
Honolulu Star-Advertiser
lying at our door. “Finally.” There’s a close-up screen-capture of a grave-looking president with the headline:
    DISCONNECTED!
Satellite Networks and Electronics Down;
Commercial Flights Grounded
    I’m able to read the front page over Dad’s shoulder during our trip down in the elevator:
    HONOLULU—Satellite signal losses and electronic failures were reported throughout O`ahu last night during a 10 p.m.-local-time address by the president.
    The failures started during the president’s remarks and continued overnight. The cause was unknown.
    The article details the president’s speech—just as we heard it. I skip ahead:
    No advance copy of the speech was issued to the media, so the rest of his statement remains unknown.
    Without GPS signals, all flights out of O`ahu’s airports were canceled. Widespread electronic malfunctions were also reported on aircraft, cruise ships, and some motor vehicles.
    Officials have not been able to make contact with the mainland. “Obviously, we’re concerned about the loss of communications,” Governor Leonard Mills said. “We’re doing everything we can to reestablish contact. We’re working with the military and engineers in every field.”
    He urged everyone to remain calm.
    “Dad, I’m worried,” I say as we walk through the lobby toward the parking garage.
    “Yeah,” Dad says. “The best way to create panic is to tell people not to panic. Don’t worry about it, though, Lei. We’ll just play it by ear, okay?”
    “Sure,” I say, anything but sure.
    Dad eyes the crowded restaurant across the atrium. “I’ll meet you at the car,” he says.
    When he reaches the garage, he’s carrying two small bags filled with apples, bananas, bagels, bottled water, granola bars, and yogurts from the breakfast buffet.
    “You bring the whole buffet with you?”
    “It’s for later,” he says.
    “Ah.” I frown. Is this one of those
tragedies of the commons
?
    Once we’re in the car, I read more of the article aloud:
    “As crews repaired blown power transformers around the island, rolling blackouts were initiated throughout O`ahu under a conservation plan ordered by the governor.
    O`ahu mayor Terry Kalali said, “Hang in there, O`ahu. We’ll be up and running in short order.”
    I ask, “How