Bad Ass of the Week: Hideaki Akaiwa, saves his wife and mom
Posted: Thu Mar 24, 2011 5:43 pm
http://badassoftheweek.com/akaiwa.html
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-japan-quake-scuba-20110317,0,7192950.story
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/heros-solo-swim-to-save-beloved/story-fn84naht-1226023561529

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-japan-quake-scuba-20110317,0,7192950.story
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/heros-solo-swim-to-save-beloved/story-fn84naht-1226023561529

Akaiwai, on the other hand, isn't big on waiting. He can't sit still. He pokes around in his car, battered and likely ruined by the tsunami, pointing out a three-inch fish lying dead almost half a mile inland, one of the tsunami's smallest victims.
Then, he adjusts his pants, reaches into his still-wet car and pulls out a pair of Ray-Ban aviator glasses from a light brown case, pours out the sea water and puts them on to complete his outfit before mounting the bicycle he's using since his wheels are disabled. Akaiwai next reviews the contents of his fanny pack: green tea, water, a flashlight, camouflage work gloves, a Swiss Army-style knife and a change of clothes.
Finally, he adjusts the grip on his bicycle and heads off in search of other trapped survivors.
"Sorry, I have to get going," he says as he navigates around the dead fish, through a puddle and around the corner.