Aloha!
The June 27 lava flow from Kilauea on the Big Island of Hawaii is named for the date it began erupting from a new vent. What does this mean for those of us living on Maui? A new vent equals more VOG (volcanic organic gasses)–and the attendant asthma and breathing problems.
And for those of you planning a trip to Hawaii, consider this: I had a conversation with a woman whose husband had had lung cancer. Guess where they decided to go for him to recuperate? Yep, a nice trip to the Big Island. This was before this latest vent had opened… and she said it was “the dumbest thing we’ve ever done!”
The USGS says the lava could now reach Pahoa town in eight days, and is just 1.7 miles upslope from Apaha Street. The flow has narrowed from 100 feet to 50 feet, causing it to flow faster.
You can read more about it here:
http://www.cbsnews.com/pictures/lava-flows-on-hawaiis-big-island/2/
Tell me, do you get these same news reports on the mainland, or is it only regional?
A hui hou! If you’d like to stay in the loop, please click the “Follow” button on the Homepage, or to the right. Mahalo for reading along!
Aloha, Jamaica
Your Daily Dose of Paradise with Jamaica Michaels--A Maui Blog 
It is not on top news here on the mainland, but I do see it in the smaller headlines on CNN – of course any Hawaii news, is something I am interested in!
We don’t see these lava reports on national news unless it eats a town, or homes, or someone is injured or killed. I have a question about the VOG that reaches Maui — does it make a difference what elevation you live? If you live in Olinda or somewhere 3,00-4,000 foot up, is it better or worse?
Aloha,
I honestly don’t think it makes a difference where you live in regard to the VOG. It is a vapor and it is everywhere… I think we fool ourselves into believing it’s not at higher elevations just because we can’t see it, as we can see it hanging over the valley. The best barometer I have is when Mike is at work on The Scotch Mist and out on the water, and he cannot visually see the Big Island from Maui. That’s how we know we have VOG everywhere.
Thank you for writing, and Aloha!
Jamaica
Heard about it very briefly once, but now only on yours and other Hawaii-related news I get on Facebook. Are there people who are or who will definitely be displaced by this? Or is it in an area where they specifically don’t build?
Aloha Sean,
Nice to hear from you! Yes, there are people who would definitely be displaced by this. On the news, disaster relief organizations are asking private organization such as churches to open their doors to people who will have to be evacuated. They think it will happen now within two weeks. Once the lava is flowing, it’s not a question of if, but when.
Warm Aloha,
Jamaica
Hi there, I live in San Francisco and have not heard about this on our news. I assume it is regional news. Love your blog. 🙂
Aloha,
Thank you for replying. So glad to hear you enjoy the blog!
Aloha, Jamaica
Aloha Jamaica,
I live in the Bay Area & just got back from Maui & was researching moving there & found your blog. I have just finished reading every single post in less than 2 days. It is fascinating! I’ve only been back a few days but already long for that honu-paced lifestyle.Thank you for keeping Hawaii fresh in the minds of us mainlanders!
Aloha Christine,
I thought I replied to your email, but it just popped up again. So either way, I am so happy to hear that you enjoyed the blog so much that you read every single post in two days! I think that might be a record! People do say it’s like potato chips and they can’t stop reading….
It’s lovely to hear from you, it’s readers like you who keep me writing. Mahalo!
Aloha, Jamaica