Alzheimer’s Association — Hawaiʻi Chapter
Former State Ambassador
A TSUNAMI THRILLER BY JERRY PERONE
Four Hours
to Impact
A Race for Survival in Hawaiʻi
A tsunami is approaching Hawaiʻi. Four hours remain. For the people in its path, every decision carries a cost.
Coming to Amazon Kindle — November 5, 2026
Pre-order link coming soon. Orders are not open yet.
Pre-order on Amazon Kindle ↗I’m Jerry Perone, a Honolulu author and speaker. Welcome to my books, personal stories, and work in Alzheimer’s advocacy and emergency preparedness.
SERVICE IN HAWAIʻI & BEYOND
Community Service & Advocacy
Team Rubicon
Hawaiʻi Membership Chair & Volunteer Responder
Hawaiʻi Medical Reserve Corps
Volunteer Responder
Rotary Club of Honolulu Sunset
Membership Chair
International Association of Emergency Managers
Member
Seeking shoes for cadets of Farrington’s JROTC
Honolulu Star-Advertiser · Letter to the editor
STORIES WITH STAKESLEADERSHIP WITH HEARTCONVERSATIONS THAT MATTER
A STORY TO START WITHEXPLORE THE COLLECTION ↗
“Because in the end, the accordion was never the story. Love was.”
Jerry Perone · 17 min read
01 — BOOKSA NEW CHAPTER
A tsunami is approaching Hawai‘i. Four hours remain. For the people in its path, every decision carries a cost.
As a tsunami races toward Hawaiʻi, scientist Leilani Kealoha must help warn the islands while trying to get her mother out of danger. In Waikīkī, hotel manager Malia Reyes fights delay and resistance to protect hundreds of guests. In Hilo, Nohea Kealoha refuses to leave an oxygen-dependent neighbor behind.
Warnings change. Roads fill. Every delay takes away another chance to escape. Four Hours to Impact: A Race for Survival in Hawaiʻi follows people forced to choose between reaching safety and helping someone who may not get there without them.
Coming to Amazon Kindle — November 5, 2026
Pre-order link coming soon. Orders are not open yet.
NEXT BOOK · HISTORICAL NONFICTION
In the Shadow
of Arsenic
My Family, a Legal Poison, and the Philadelphia Murder Ring
My mother, Theresa Lisi Perone, was the oldest of three children. In 1931, they lost their mother in childbirth. In 1933, their father, Próspero Antonio Lisi, died of arsenic poisoning.
This is the family history behind my next book—and my personal connection to the Philadelphia arsenic ring.
Explore the book & read an excerpt ↗Forthcoming · Publication details to come
MY FIRST BOOK
Where my
writing began.
Entrepreneur Boot Camp
The Ultimate Step-by-Step Guide to Starting, Surviving and Thriving in Your Own Business
This was my first book—the one that started my writing days. I coauthored it with Arnold Sanow, writing as Girard Perone. It marks the beginning of the writing journey that continues here today.
Out of printNo longer available.
02 — MEET JERRYTHE PERSON BEHIND THE PAGES
Curiosity.
Experience.
A little Sicilian spirit.
I’ve been an executive, a project troubleshooter, a mentor, a husband, and occasionally the reason a perfectly ordinary day became a story.
I grew up in a Sicilian American family in New Jersey. A career at IBM and later work in project management taught me to ask direct questions, listen to the people doing the work, and look closely when the official story and real life disagree.
Today, from my home in Honolulu, I write and speak about leadership, Alzheimer’s awareness, resilience, and the people behind the headlines. I also tell funny personal stories about college, work, marriage, and the stubborn survival of my own optimism.
Humor belongs here. It gives us a way to recognize ourselves in one another—and reminds us that a person’s life is always bigger than a job title or a difficult chapter.
Read more about Jerry and his professional background ↗
Jerry Perone
AUTHOR · SPEAKER · STORYTELLER03 — ALZHEIMER’S AND DEMENTIAAWARENESS · ADVOCACY · COMMUNITY
THE SICILIAN ALZHEIMER’S AMBASSADOR
Alzheimer’s
and Dementia
Dignity for the person. Support for the family. A voice in the community.
My advocacy begins with people: those living with Alzheimer’s or another dementia, the families alongside them, and the communities that can help them stay connected.
Through writing, speaking, and conversations about public policy, I work to bring attention to their experiences—especially here in Hawai‘i.
- Awareness and dignityKeeping the person at the center of the conversation.
- Families and caregiversRecognizing the people who provide support every day.
- Advocacy in Hawai‘iBringing community needs into conversations with decision-makers.
MY ALZHEIMER’S ADVOCACY ARCHIVE
From personal experience to public action
Explore my legislative testimony, newspaper writing, reports and briefing materials together in one chronological collection, from the earliest dated work to the latest. Each distinct testimony appears once; revised reports are grouped around their featured edition.
Explore the chronological archiveBlood Tests for Alzheimer Disease
Thanks to Ed Case for backing Alzheimer’s acts
Case backs bill for better Alzheimer’s screening
HAWAIʻI STATE STRATEGIC PLAN · 98-PAGE PDF
Hawaiʻi 2035: State Strategic Plan on Alzheimer’s Disease & Related Dementias
How is Hawaiʻi planning for the needs of people living with dementia and the families who care for them? This state plan sets out priorities in data, programs and policy, public awareness and education, and workforce development. It also includes a Native Hawaiian Road Map developed with Papa Ola Lōkahi.
Read it to understand the state’s long-term direction, see where community organizations and caregivers fit in, and use its goals as a reference when discussing progress and unmet needs.
An official state publication shared for reference, not authored by Jerry Perone. Statistics and policy context reflect the September 2023 edition.
Alzheimer’s Resources Worth Following
Places to find practical support, understand the disease, and follow research and news.
OFFICIAL, CARE & SUPPORT RESOURCES
Alzheimer’s Association
Disease education, practical caregiving guidance, local support, and information about research and advocacy. A useful starting point for people living with dementia and the families alongside them.
Visit the Alzheimer’s AssociationNeed someone to talk to?
The Association’s free, confidential helpline is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
RESEARCH & NEWS
Alzheimer’s News Today
News coverage of Alzheimer’s research, clinical trials, and treatments, alongside perspectives on living with the disease and caregiving.
An independent news and information publication from Bionews, useful for following developments and finding topics to discuss with your care team.
Explore Alzheimer’s News TodayHAWAIʻI POLICY & ADVOCACY
Hawaii Alzheimer’s Impact Movement (AIM)
State policy priorities, advocacy opportunities, and resources for people affected by Alzheimer’s in Hawaiʻi.
Visit Hawaii AIMHAWAIʻI BRAIN HEALTH
Hawaii Health Matters: Healthy Brain Tracker
Explore the Healthy Brain Tracker dashboard from Hawaii Health Matters.
Explore the Healthy Brain TrackerPUBLIC HEALTH & DEMENTIA
CDC Alzheimer’s Disease Program: BOLD Infrastructure for Alzheimer’s Act
CDC information about the BOLD Act and public health efforts to reduce dementia risk, improve early detection, and support caregivers.
Explore CDC’s BOLD programHAWAIʻI DEMENTIA SUPPORT
Hawaii Dementia Initiative
Find information about brain health, early detection, caregiving, and dementia support resources in Hawaiʻi.
Visit Hawaii Dementia InitiativeThese links lead to external websites whose content Jerry Perone does not control. They are shared for education and support; they do not replace advice from a qualified health professional.
04 — EMERGENCY MANAGEMENTPREPAREDNESS · DECISIONS · RESILIENCE
Emergency Management: quick index
7 items
| Title | Type |
|---|---|
| Hawaiʻi Tsunami Compendium | Reference · PDF |
| July 29, 2025: An Actual Tsunami Warning | Historical bulletin |
| The 1946 Hilo Tsunami in Photographs | Photo gallery |
| Hilo Tsunami Survivors Tell Their Stories | Study & survivor accounts |
| Go Up, Not Out: A Honolulu Tsunami Safety Report | Report · PDF |
| University of Hawaiʻi Tsunami Preparedness | Video |
| When the Warning Comes | Workshop in development |
Select a title to open it.
WHEN THE WARNING COMES
Emergency
Management
How people prepare, communicate, and make decisions when time matters.
My work brings together an interest in disaster preparedness, a career in leadership and project management, and the human questions behind Four Hours to Impact.
HISTORICAL DOCUMENT · JULY 29, 2025
An Actual Tsunami Warning
Read the National Weather Service bulletin that placed Hawaiʻi under a tsunami warning at 2:43 p.m. HST on July 29, 2025. This original PDF also includes a warning for parts of Alaska.
Historical document—not a current warning.
Read about the 2025 warning and download the PDFNEW PUBLIC-SAFETY REPORT · 22 PAGES
Go Up, Not Out: A Honolulu Tsunami Safety Report
During a tsunami warning, should everyone in a coastal high-rise get in a car? This report examines why avoidable driving can slow evacuation for people who must leave, and proposes clearer, building-specific instructions for when going upstairs is the safer choice. Read it to understand the decision before the next warning—and to help neighbors, building managers, and officials communicate it clearly.
Vertical evacuation depends on a suitable building and the active warning. Always follow official instructions and your building’s emergency plan.
Read the report (PDF)HAWAIʻI TSUNAMI HISTORY · APRIL 1, 1946
The 1946 Hilo Tsunami in Photographs
Historical photographs of waves reaching the shore and people caught in the unfolding disaster, with context for readers of Four Hours to Impact.
View the historical photo gallerySURVIVOR ACCOUNTS · 1946 AND 1960
Hilo Tsunami Survivors Tell Their Stories
Jeanne Branch Johnston’s 2003 University of Hawaiʻi thesis brings together survivor interviews and emergency-agency records to explore how people understood warnings and made decisions during Hilo’s two devastating tsunamis.
Read about the study and download the PDFUNIVERSITY OF HAWAIʻI SEA GRANT · VIDEO
Hawaiʻi Tsunami Preparedness
Learn how tsunamis form, what evacuation zones mean, and how to plan for an emergency. This video brings together Hawaiʻi Sea Grant, the Hawaiʻi State Department of Education, and emergency-management partners to help residents and visitors prepare.
Watch the 2024 video from 2:05
An updated edition is also available: Watch the 2025 preparedness video.
FREE REFERENCE
Hawaiʻi Tsunami Compendium
Explore the Operational Compendium & Source Register behind the novel’s warning and response setting.
Read about the resource and download the PDFWORKSHOPS & CONVERSATIONS
When the Warning Comes
A workshop in development about incomplete information, difficult decisions, and remembering who may need help.
Explore the workshop05 — FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHSTHE PEOPLE BEHIND THE STORIES
THE FAMILY ALBUM
Family Photographs
People, places, and moments from a Sicilian life.
Photographs to come
Family photographs and their captions will be shared here.
06 — SPEAKING & CONVERSATIONSBRING YOUR PEOPLE TOGETHER
Let’s make it
mean something.
For community groups, book clubs, and organizations. Tell me who will be in the room and what you want the conversation to accomplish.
When the plan
meets real life.
For leaders and project teams facing difficult work: recognizing trouble early, asking useful questions, and rebuilding a plan around what people can actually deliver. Drawn from my experience in executive leadership and project recovery.
Discuss a leadership talkHuman resilience
For book clubs and community groups: explore the human dilemmas in Four Hours to Impact. We can discuss trust, hesitation, responsibility, and how fiction opens a conversation about the choices we make together.
Plan a book conversationSee the person.
Start a conversation.
For groups who want to better understand why Alzheimer’s awareness matters. A conversation about dignity, the people living with the disease, the families alongside them, and the role of a caring community here in Hawai‘i.
Explore an awareness talkA Sicilian life.
Plenty to laugh about.
For gatherings that could use laughter and a little recognition: college capers, an unforgettable job interview, marriage, and the adventures of a Sicilian life. These personal stories find humor in my mistakes and affection in the people who shared them.
Discuss a storytelling appearanceWe’ll agree on the topic, format, audience, date, and fee before confirming an engagement. Ask about a talk, a facilitated conversation, or a storytelling appearance. These are author-led sessions, not medical consultations or emergency-response certification.
When the Warning Comes
I’m developing When the Warning Comes, a facilitated workshop and companion workbook inspired by the human decisions in Four Hours to Impact. It gives a group a shared situation to discuss: information is incomplete, time is short, and people need to decide what to do.
The conversation centers on recognizing a warning, communicating clearly, making decisions under pressure, and remembering who may need help. If that would be useful to your organization, tell me about your group and the setting you have in mind. I’ll explain what is ready and discuss a suitable format.
Download the free Hawaiʻi Tsunami Compendium & Source Register for background reading before or after a talk.
07 — GET IN TOUCHEVERY CONVERSATION STARTS SOMEWHERE
A QUESTION? AN IDEA? AN INVITATION?
I’d love to
hear from you.
Have a question about a story or the book? Planning a talk, a workshop, or a storytelling evening? I’d like to hear what you have in mind.
For an event, include your organization, preferred date, location or online format, approximate audience size, and what you hope people will take away. I’ll follow up to discuss fit, availability, and next steps.