Concern for Leilani Estates as lava moves eastward underground

[WestCoastGal]

So the last few days you may have heard about Pele's hair. The USGS gives this brief description of it on their website: https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/Imgs/Jpg/Tephra/30410914_030_caption.html

 

[WestCoastGal]

While trying to track down that chart that I recalled seeing of the estimated volume of magma produced during the various eruption of Kilauea, I found this interesting history about the effusive and explosive phases of Kilauea on the USGS site. 

https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/geo_hist_summary.html

Interesting factoid about Kilauea from the above, back in 1790 there were several pyroclastic flows which killed several hundred+ people around the area that today is HVO and HVNP's Jaggar Museum. I didn't realize shield volcanoes could produce them. Speaking of pyroclastic flows, did you guys see in the news Tuesday about archeologists finding a 2,000 year old skeleton of a man, not an ash cast, who was crushed by a stone while fleeing from the eruption in Pompeii? https://www.upi.com/Archaeologists-find-man-crushed-while-fleeing-Pompeii/2141527607311/  and a few days before that they announced they found a horse? https://news.nationalgeographic.com/2018/05/pompeii-horse-civita-giuliana-archaeology-science/

[Justin]

Home sweet home.  

[WestCoastGal]

At 9:45pm HST Civil Defense issued a immediate evacuation of Noni Farms Road and Hale Kamahina Road due to fast moving lava flow. 

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More on the Pahoa community meeting and Leilani Estates from the Honolulu Star-Advertiser: http://www.staradvertiser.com/2018/05/29/hawaii-news/holdouts-warned-to-prepare-to-flee-fast-moving-lava-on-short-notice/ . It sheds more light on the decision they announced at the meeting.

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Here's an update on Victor Hoapili (the pig house). Article from the Honolulu Star-Advertiser: http://www.staradvertiser.com/2018/05/29/hawaii-news/leilani-estates-resident-among-fortunate-few-as-lava-spares-home-for-now/

 

[WestCoastGal]

4 minutes ago, Justin said:

Home sweet home.  

Glad you arrived safely. Nice to see trees still. Stay safe seems to be more aggressive eruptions and flows last few days and they won't come to rescue people there.

[WestCoastGal]

Wanted to post this Ikaika Marzo/Mileka Lincoln live feed replay for people. Posted about 2 hours ago. Covers update on what went on Tuesday and all kinds of info you might need if you are in the area. 

https://www.facebook.com/ikaika.marzo/videos/1819090908143437/UzpfSTM1NzQ1NTU1NDQyMDI2OTo5OTA3MDYwNjc3NjE4Nzg/

One thing I will pass on from listening to the feed is that Ikaika said that AT&T's cell service has been down in Leilani Estates and they really need to get it up because a lot of people still in there need it. Not sure who this impacts, but given the no rescue edict people it's a big issue. This was discussed around 20:15 into the feed.

 

 

[Dave-Vero]

The road to Pohoiki had been reopened to Hawaii residents (who had to get a permit) so that people could use the boat ramp and beach.  Surfing beaches are in short supply.  Now closed and major evacuation.  With cell phone service and emergency sirens out, Civil Defense has major problems. 

 

[WestCoastGal]

Things are definitely getting tougher on Puna and for LE residents. 

I see that Scott (YT ApauHawaiiTours) is up and out this morning. He does his morning talk.  And so far the other video is a Map talk 5/30.  Haven't had a chance to listen to them but don't think they are out in the LE. 

No updates from Big Island Video News yet or Mileka. Off for morning coffee.

[WestCoastGal]

Big Island Video News (Civil Defense) uploaded the addtional portions of last night's community meeting. First one is the USGS portion. Mayor Kim spoke as well (video posted above  in this thread).

Discussion of changes in the eruptions including cinder/Pele's hair. Lava flow past 132 and decent lines. Brief talk.

Talmadge Magno (Hawaii County Civil Defense) introduces Tom Travis IHawaii Emergency Management Agency) to speak on the Puna Geothermal Venture and lava update.

 

[WestCoastGal]

New Evacuation message from Civil Defense for this morning Wed. 5/30, 12:45am for the Kapoho, Kapoho Beach Lots and Vacationland area due to Hwy 132 fast moving lava as reported by USGS.

 

[WestCoastGal]

Hawaii Tracker Group on fb is a great source for info, assistance and sharing for those in Puna. Recommend checking it out. Anthony from Honolulu Civil Beat mentioned it in yesterday's feed after their Live feed was ended due to Hwy 132 closing down from the lava flow. Gee I miss the camera feed and already feel a sense of disconnect. Groups like this really do help maintain the sense of community.

For people wondering why someone would move to Leilani Estates knowing it was in Zone 1, saw this post on fb and the subsequent LE neighbor posts in response. 

 

 

[Moose]

8 hours ago, WestCoastGal said:

While trying to track down that chart that I recalled seeing of the estimated volume of magma produced during the various eruption of Kilauea, I found this interesting history about the effusive and explosive phases of Kilauea on the USGS site. 

https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/geo_hist_summary.html

Interesting factoid about Kilauea from the above, back in 1790 there were several pyroclastic flows which killed several hundred+ people around the area that today is HVO and HVNP's Jaggar Museum. I didn't realize shield volcanoes could produce them. Speaking of pyroclastic flows, did you guys see in the news Tuesday about archeologists finding a 2,000 year old skeleton of a man, not an ash cast, who was crushed by a stone while fleeing from the eruption in Pompeii? https://www.upi.com/Archaeologists-find-man-crushed-while-fleeing-Pompeii/2141527607311/  and a few days before that they announced they found a horse? https://news.nationalgeographic.com/2018/05/pompeii-horse-civita-giuliana-archaeology-science/

Too bad the guy with the bad leg couldn't make it out with the horse.

[WestCoastGal]

If you are looking for a quick update of events in the past few hours including the community meeting at Pahoa HS, this Honolulu Star-Advertiser gives a good accounting.

One thing I don't think I mentioned that was discussed at the Community meeting was the work that was being done to reopen Chain of Craters Road. I saw this posted on fb showing the heavy equipment that Goodfellow Brothers was delivering. https://www.facebook.com/david.ford.1829405/posts/1411936438952346

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Volcano gawkers are being ticketed: http://www.staradvertiser.com/2018/05/30/hawaii-news/state-cites-lava-gawkers-who-bypass-security-checkpoints/

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As far as I can tell the mandatory 6pm restriction for access into Leilani Estates is still in effect. YT Doing Hawaii mentioned they HOA wanted to propose a 10pm cut off as many people who work or need to do their shopping or even attend the Community Meeting can't make it back in time to gain access to their homes. Hawaii News Now reported some of those concerns being brought up at the Community Meeting last night in this mornings article. If LE residents learn that officials have extended it, please post. Thanks.

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Displaced Puna residents are cautioned about the rising scams for rental properties they have started to see. The Hawaii News Now article relays LE resident Susie Osbourne's experience in finding a rental for her family. I recall reading articles and seeing videos with Susie and her husband as they prepared to evacuate their home early on. Glad to see that they have found housing.

[WestCoastGal]

For those unfamiliar with SO2 (hydrogen sulfide) exposure, which can come from many sources, here's a fact sheet from OSHA. One thing that I have seen mentioned a few times in the last few weeks is that if one is exposed to it in high concentrations or in low concentrations over cumulative periods of time, they can get olfactory fatigue, where a person loses their ability to smell the gas even when it's present. Can happen very rapidly. Of course this condition could lead to dangerous or deadly consequences if one has it and isn't aware of the presence of SO2 any longer. 

https://www.osha.gov/OshDoc/data_Hurricane_Facts/hydrogen_sulfide_fact.pdf

[WestCoastGal]

Scott's morning check of Bill's house on Kahukai and Makamae.

Then a trip to the massive F8 located at Leilani and Luana.

A Kupono Street update while experiencing tephra pelting. Good news about many of the houses he passes that are still unscathed. Not sure when he'll do his next video unless conditions improve for him to go out.

 

[WestCoastGal]

One last video to share. From USGS, a F8 overflight and ground video from yesterday, Tues, 5/29.

 

[Justin]

3 hours ago, WestCoastGal said:

For those unfamiliar with SO2 (hydrogen sulfide) exposure, which can come from many sources, here's a fact sheet from OSHA. One thing that I have seen mentioned a few times in the last few weeks is that if one is exposed to it in high concentrations or in low concentrations over cumulative periods of time, they can get olfactory fatigue, where a person loses their ability to smell the gas even when it's present. Can happen very rapidly. Of course this condition could lead to dangerous or deadly consequences if one has it and isn't aware of the presence of SO2 any longer. 

https://www.osha.gov/OshDoc/data_Hurricane_Facts/hydrogen_sulfide_fact.pdf

I have no doubt this is true, but with the SO2, you don't need to smell it; your itchy eyes will let you know whether you can smell or not.

[Keith N Tampa (ex SoJax)]

26 minutes ago, Justin said:

I have no doubt this is true, but with the SO2, you don't need to smell it; your itchy eyes will let you know whether you can smell or not.

SO2 or H2S?  I think H2S (Hydrogen sulfide) is considerably more dangerous than SO2.  But that may have nothing to do with itchy eyes!  Luckily I think the H2S emissions have been minimal with this event...at least up to this point.

[WestCoastGal]

Scott was out and about and posted this video:

 

Big Island Video News had this update as of 8am HST (11am PDT). It addresses road condition and accessibility in Lower Puna. F18 is approaching the coast at less than 100 yd/hour. F8's flow is a different matter, early Wednesday approaching 600 yds/hr. http://www.bigislandvideonews.com/2018/05/30/8-am-eruption-update-lava-lobes-near-beach-road-highway-137/

[WestCoastGal]

The latest photos posted of the eruption areas by Hawaii County Civil Defense is now available (5/30). Vast majority are of PGV and from what I can see LE is only in the background.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/141970887@N04/albums/72157697444137635

[Justin]

1 hour ago, Keith in SoJax said:

SO2 or H2S?  I think H2S (Hydrogen sulfide) is considerably more dangerous than SO2.  But that may have nothing to do with itchy eyes!  Luckily I think the H2S emissions have been minimal with this event...at least up to this point.

SO2.  You're correct that H2S is much more dangerous, but - to this point - the emissions have been minimal so far.

[Dave-Vero]

I'm reminded of living in an oil field town where silver tarnished pretty fast from the sulfur.  Despite inversions, the place never seemed hazardous.

The latest USGS map, with lava fronts indicated by arrows, is as disturbing as yesterday's.  I guess the link works.  

[Justin]

@Kimyour place still looks fine, but I took this video across the street.  Hopefully it doesn't get any closer.

 

[Moose]

Scott recently posted

Edited May 31, 2018 by Moose

[Moose]

Lots of Tephra from Scott

[Moose]

 

[Moose]

 

[Moose]

 

[Moose]

 

[Moose]

 

[Moose]

 

[Moose]

 

[Moose]

 

[Dave-Vero]

Latest thermal map.  The lobes from Fissure 8 remind me of a slime mold spreading.

 

[WestCoastGal]

Wow go away for a few hours and never know what you'll come back to. I'm not surprised about the overflow given how high the perched ponds are and how much the fissures have been pumping out, but not good for remaining homes in the area of upper Makamae, Luana and Nohea. I checked the google Community Mapping Project and printed out this map of the general area of Puna. This is going all over. Looks like the flows going towards the east coastline could reach both hot pond/spring areas. The loss of access to 132 has got to be a huge consequence for residents all over that area.

[WestCoastGal]

Latest post on fb by Mileka Lincoln with conditions in the area plus a nice video of a sign they saw in one of the neighborhoods. 

https://www.facebook.com/milekalincoln.hnn/videos/1797532203638999/

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I've been watching the end of the  Live Feed right now from Travis Sanders (fb LavaNews). He's on Green Mountain filming and you can see F8 in the distance along with two lava rivers. He said there is no electricity at all to this area and it's completely black. He says the hot pond he expect to be hit will be Ahalanui Country Beach Park. He's about to end the feed and will upload a higher quality. Video link below photos. 1 hr 45 min. Don't know what the distance is from Green Mountain to F8 is but that fountain is very high in the sky even from this distance.

Views from beginning and end of feed:

 

https://www.facebook.com/lavanews/videos/211503239639981/

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Honolulu Star-Advertiser news story tonight of a LE resident arrested for a confrontation with a gun with another LE resident near the intersection of Kahukai and Makamae Streets. I hate to ask and don't think I'm wrong but don't we know this guy from the videos? This is very sad news. Wonder if he was there protecting his house.

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Hate to call it an evening but early morning tomorrow and hope I can catch up on things then.

[WestCoastGal]

Here's a KHON2 story and video of how they used a drone from USGS to rescue someone on 5/7 from being trapped by lava flows around them. 

http://www.khon2.com/news/local-news/drone-assists-with-rescue-from-quick-moving-lava-flow-in-leilani-estates/1209635054

[Moose]

 

[Moose]

 

[Moose]