Unalaska, AK – The effects of last week's tsunami, which hit Samoa and American Samoa, were felt all the way in Unalaska. The tsunami struck the islands after a 8.3 magnitude earthquake rocked the region. It killed more than 170 people and destroyed entire villages in Samoa and American Samoa.

Unalaska resident Tai Tolai was working at the school when she found out about the disaster. She has family in both areas, including a young daughter in Western Samoa.

"And my husband came rushing and the principal came in and was like, 'Oh you have to go, you have an emergency.' And I'm like 'Oh my gosh!' it scares me because I have my son at home and I'm like, 'No! Don't tell me it's my son.' But my husband starts crying in the car and was like 'Oh, Samoa got hit by a tsunami, a ten-foot tsunami.' And I was crying because the first thing that came into my mind is my daughter because we haven't seen her for a little while now."

She spent the entire day trying to reach her family on the phone. After about 30 tries, they finally connected. She said she is one of the lucky ones no one in her family was killed, but many of them lost their homes and belongings.

Tolai and about 30 other local Samoans are working together to raise money for the families who were the hardest hit. She says some don't even have food right now. On Saturday, they hosted a car wash near Planet Dutch. She said the cars were coming so fast they could hardly sit down.

"Only one minute, then boom! There's another car, and then there's another car, then there's five cars coming in! It's fun. It's fun. We haven't even had a break."

Tolai said they are touched by the outpouring of support from the community. They'll be hosting another fundraiser on Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm outside of Planet Dutch. The Samoan barbeque will feature Samoan dancing and other entertainment.