Concern for Leilani Estates as lava moves eastward underground

[WestCoastGal]

It's been a week but Hawaii County Civil Defense just added 2 albums of photos and videos to their Flickr account. Always great, super detailed images.

Here's the link to the Wed. 6/6 album: https://www.flickr.com/photos/141970887@N04/albums/72157697151224634

Photos of F8 and mostly Kapoho. 

 

and here's today's album (Thurs 6/7): https://www.flickr.com/photos/141970887@N04/albums/72157691966293560

I see in this album Fissure 8, which really looks like a very large cone now. Also noticing photos of Jason Twillman's Noni Farm Road property and the giant lava filled skylighted tube that was on his property. Quite a few photos of it. Photos of Kapoho and the still standing homes and structures. Not many left. A view of the monsterous, fast-flowing lava channel on the land side of Kapoho Crater. Some of the fields around there presently untouched.

When you see these photos of F8 and all the surrounding black lava, it's hard to now imagine all the lush landscaping and homes that were once there. You also can't help but notice all the steaming that is occuring beyond and along the Malama side of the crater. That video I shared from just a few posts ago--by Gabe on Rod's property (near F10)--is reaffirmed by these photos today. I know Scott commented in one of his videos today that he didn't see this area around F9/10/11/12 as being an issue but it's definitely something to be watchful of. 

No idea where the last two photos were taken from. An eruption in a forested area, but where?

Photo by Hawaii County Civil Defense

 

[WestCoastGal]

Mick Kalber posted this video tonight (6/7) and labeled it Phenomenal Fissure and Flow:

 

[WestCoastGal]

Mileka posted this to her fb page about Kapoho residents who went to the Puna Insurance Forum to get their questions answered.  Video coverage on her fb page.

 

[WestCoastGal]

Live feed right now from a National Guard Black Hawk helicopter - Andrew Hara fb. - Very jerky ride, maybe flying into the wind and reception goes out briefly. 

https://www.facebook.com/andrewrichardhara/videos/10155983271154843/

[WestCoastGal]

Two photos from Andrew Hara from Kapoho where a few house are standing. He marked the streets on these photos.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10214474350324768&set=pcb.995863573912794&type=3&theater&ifg=1

[Justin]

Interesting, the evacuation zone in today's CD email/text now says LE is open to residents "west of Moku."  Arguably that's the same as saying LE is closed "east of Pomaikai," but arguably not.  Specifically, people living on the east side of Pomaikai are now able to visit their homes, which matters to at least PT member I know of.

On a mostly unrelated note, I had to come back to the mainland, as my computer decided to not come back on after going through a Microsoft update on Monday night.  I have to admit it was a bit stressful being in LE, mainly because I felt like a criminal staying at my own house (because of the curfew).  They just reversed the curfew yesterday, so go figure.  But it turns out I was stressed - I've been back in San Diego 26 hours, and I've slept 18 of them.  Point being, everyone who's been in Puna this last month is undoubtedly even more stressed, fried, frazzled, numb, etc. than me, and I wish a Happy Aloha Friday to all of you.

[WestCoastGal]

Interesting that you posted that Justin as I was just about to post myself and say that it's been pretty quiet here on the thread over the last day. With the loss of so much of beautiful Puna I think maybe a lava depression of the emotional kind is hitting people too, even among those who don't have property there. For those in the area certainly the feel of earthquakes, getting access to your home, wondering when or where the next lava might come from is a big stress inducer. Glad you were able to crash finally and get some much needed sleep. Good news in that wording on where the line of the red zone now lies. Has to be equally frustrating to see your home still standing and wanting to retrieve as much as you can.

Yesterday I caught the conversation on video between Gabe and Rod, sort of in the background about how he, Rod, was considering leaving and how a number of other residents who stayed were too. Given the size of the cone of F8 and the constant lava flow from there, I can't say I would want to be living right next to an active volcano just streets away. As fascinating as it has been to experience nature, at some point I think people start to want to have some kind of normalcy and move on. Where all the people who were full-time residents in LE and Kapoho area will go from here is hard to say. 

Edited June 8, 2018 by WestCoastGal
added comments

[bgl]

Thanks Justin and Debbie! And Justin, sorry to have missed you. I returned last night to Hilo after being away for 2.5 weeks for the Biennial and some private time in Colombia and this is the reason for my absence here for the past couple of weeks. Spent the night with friends in Hilo and will leave in a few minutes for Leilani Estates. More when I have the opportunity.

[WestCoastGal]

Bo, glad you got away and look forward to your posts about the Biennial   and thoughts on how LE has changed since you were were last there. Alot has happened in just 2.5 weeks. 

[bgl]

"A lot" would seem to be a significant understatement! And yes I will do what I can to provide updates on a more or less regular basis.

[WestCoastGal]

This post is going to be more reflective and go back to the May 2-3 timeframe when the ground started cracking and lower Puna changed. I was thinking about this last night and while only a little over a month in many ways seems much longer. I remember hearing about the earthquakes in the news in Leilani and wanted to see how our local palm residents were doing. 

First cracks were spotted on May 2:

Later that evening from KHON2 on May 2.

And then this is the video from May 3 that I most remember with KHON interviewing Ikaika Marzo...and our own Bo in the footage.

Evacuations began on May 3. Those sirens alone I'm sure caused a lot of stress to those hearing them. People were taking out refrigerators and other home belongings but also noticed someone trucking out on an excavator some palms.

And people everywhere began to wonder how all this happened. From WCBS:

 

[WestCoastGal]

From the Big Island Video News coverage two nights ago (6/6) of the Air Quality community meeting in Kona:

 

Coverage of the Puna Insurance Claim Forum meeting last night (6/7). The video runs 2hrs 22 min. Hopefully this will be of help to anyone who was not able to attend.

 

 

[Justin]

I had read/heard about that meeting in Kona, and that it was a bit testy.  We were all wondering what exactly got everyone so upset, as there is nothing anyone can do about the vog.  From watching the video, apparently they want more information and updates.

[WestCoastGal]

Mileka's fb page had this update this morning on financial assistance from the State to the Big Island, USGS/HVO estimate of the lava flow (pretty amazing statistic and comparison when you think about it), and Civil Defense saying that they don't see any change in present flow.

[WestCoastGal]

Last night, above in thread, I posted the link to Andrew Hara's live feed of his flight on the National Guard blackhawk. It's still up and available to watch. Mileka shared this on her fb page about the flight:

This morning Andrew Richard Hara posted these stills from his trip:

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10155983476479843&set=pcb.10155983481194843&type=3&theater

[WestCoastGal]

Sharing this photo from Brandon, Oregon, on Ryan Finlay's fb Hawaii Tracker group page. 

Click on ^ "View on Facebook" if not showing up.

[WestCoastGal]

I'm not seeing Civil Defense altering the mandatory red line zone changing from Pomaikai Street to Moku. Here's their latest online "broadcast" on it. 

http://www.bigislandvideonews.com/2018/06/07/video-1-pm-eruption-update-curfew-lifted-for-parts-of-leilani-estates/

I'm calling out the following in particular from the report: "Another note from Civil Defense: “If you have been displaced, please fill out a Universal Intake Form at the Recovery Information and Assistance Center (RIAC) at the Pahoa Community Center, Monday thru Friday, 9 a.m to 3 p.m. This allows you to register as a disaster survivor so you can apply to receive assistance.”

"A community meeting on volcanic ash and VOG will be held tonight, Thursday, June 7, in Volcano at the Cooper Center at 7:00 in the evening."

[Justin]

A message from COUNTY OF HAWAII
 

This is a Civil Defense Message for Friday, June 8 at 6:00 in the morning.

Hawaiian Volcano Observatory reports that vigorous lava eruptions continue in the lower East Rift Zone. Fissure 8 is producing a large channelized flow that is entering the ocean at Kapoho Bay and producing a large laze plume.

Due to the lava entering the ocean, the following policies are in effect:

• Laze is formed when hot lava hits the ocean sending hydrochloric acid and steam with tiny glass particles into the air.
• Health hazards of laze include lung damage, and eye and skin irritation. 
• Be aware that the laze plume travels with the wind and can change direction without warning.

Due to the current volcanic activity, the following policies are in effect:

• Leilani Estates West of Moku Street is open only to residents with official credentials; there is no curfew.
• Government Beach Road, between Kahakai Boulevard and Cinder Road, is open to Waa Waa and Papaya Farms Road only to residents with official credentials; there is no curfew.
• Residents in these areas should heed warnings from Civil Defense officials and be prepared to evacuate with little notice.

The shelter at Pahoa Community Center is open and pet-friendly. The Keaau Armory shelter has reached capacity.

Hawaiian Volcano Observatory reports volcanic gas emissions remain very high from fissure eruptions.  Due to the elevated gas levels, the following is provided for your information:

• You can monitor sulfur dioxide and hydrogen sulfide on Hawaii Island by visiting the Civil Defense website or go directly to www.epa.gov/kilaueaairdata.

Hawaiian Volcano Observatory also reports that a steam explosion occurred at the Kilauea Summit early this morning, so be aware of ash fallout if your commute takes you through Ka’u.

We are on watch 24-hours a day for your safety.

This is your Hawai‘i County Civil Defense Agency.

[WestCoastGal]

Just grabbed this view from USGS's PGV cam. You can actually see PGV below in this shot for a change. No camera position change, guess it's just the lighting and clouds over head.

[WestCoastGal]

6 minutes ago, Justin said:

A message from COUNTY OF HAWAII
 

This is a Civil Defense Message for Friday, June 8 at 6:00 in the morning.

Hawaiian Volcano Observatory reports that vigorous lava eruptions continue in the lower East Rift Zone. Fissure 8 is producing a large channelized flow that is entering the ocean at Kapoho Bay and producing a large laze plume.

Due to the lava entering the ocean, the following policies are in effect:

• Laze is formed when hot lava hits the ocean sending hydrochloric acid and steam with tiny glass particles into the air.
• Health hazards of laze include lung damage, and eye and skin irritation. 
• Be aware that the laze plume travels with the wind and can change direction without warning.

Due to the current volcanic activity, the following policies are in effect:

• Leilani Estates West of Moku Street is open only to residents with official credentials; there is no curfew.....

I wonder if they know about the discrepancy. I certainly would be upset if I lived on Pomaikai and now thought I could come back into my house at least to retrieve things based on the text and then be told no.

[Justin]

My guess is that, as a practical matter, there was no way of keeping people off of East Pomaikai.  If the road is open to people to drive on, what are they going to do - barricade all of the driveways?  [Don't get any ideas, Civil Defense.]

[WestCoastGal]

Two videos from Scott's early morning walk in the complex. Nohea; and then Moku at Malama. He's going to drive down lower Malama so people who still have houses in the area can get a feel for their home.

 

 

[WestCoastGal]

Just after I sign out I see Scott added 2 more street views to his channel LOL. This first one is on Hookupu looking east at F8. Believe he meant to say West. Pretty much a zoomed in view of the lava erupting out of the cone and then the view of the lava field from Hookupu. Some very cool views of the fissure.

 

Next video is taken from Kupono looking south towards Malama. The steaming lava makes for a very eerie feel. BTW this video ends about 5 min. in. Guess he didn't realize it was still recording black. He'll probably go back and trim.

[WestCoastGal]

From USGS Alert as of Fri., 6/8 @ 8:25am HST (11:25am PDT):  "Overnight, lava fountaining at Fissure 8 continue to reach heights of about 220 feet. Geology and UAS crews observed no significant changes in the Fissure 8 flow field. HVO's morning overflight revealed. There is no lava activity from the other fissures but Fissure 24 is incandescent and Fissures 24, 9, and 10 are fuming heavily."

No new photos or Map.

 

Amazingly clear view during an overflight of Pu'uO'o's crater. Taken yesterday, 6/7. Very different look from when we flew around it in the 90s. Interesting just the same!

 

 

[WestCoastGal]

This presentation on CBS This Morning does a nice job explaining the differences between the volcano (stratovolcano) in Guatemala and the shield volcano, Kilauea, on the Big Island.

 

[WestCoastGal]

Regarding the Moku/Pomaikai access under the red zone area. Just saw this clarification of that issue on Mileka's fb page. Sorry about that Pomaikai residents, still in No Go area.

 

[WestCoastGal]

Image from the USGS PGV cam @ 12:35pm HST (3:35pm PDT).

[WestCoastGal]

Hawaii News Now posted this short video with satellite photos of Kapoho Bay as it was being flooded with lava.

http://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/clip/14402866/satellite-photos-from-above-kapoho-just-before-the-bay-disappeared

----

Back on May 25 I linked to a Hawaii News Now documentary called "Pele's Path: Eyewitness to History" that recounted their reporters' experiences in the field documenting what was going on on the ground ( http://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/clip/14371128/peles-path-eyewitness-to-history ). The news channel has compiled a new documentary, this time from the residents' experiences, called "Pele's Path: The People of Puna". It can be viewed here:

http://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/clip/14407137/peles-path-the-people-of-puna

Just finished watching this new documentary and loved the piece. Many residents from Leilani. Almost everyone in the video I would say I have encountered in articles and/or video news coverage and so felt I knew them. If you've followed along with this thread you may have the same feeling when watching. It was good to see how some of their stories/lives have come along.

 

Edited June 8, 2018 by WestCoastGal
added updated comment after watching new documentary

[WestCoastGal]

Story of how tents and cars have become the new norm for many. Video from yesterday.

http://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/clip/14407885/as-eruptions-drag-on-evacuees-make-homes-out-of-tents-at-big-island-shelters

 

[WestCoastGal]

I'm not big on the videos of scrolling photos but came across these two on Hawaii News Now website that I liked a lot and maybe you guys will love the photos too.

This one from Andrew Richard Hara of two people at night watching F8 from probably somewhere near Kapoho:  http://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/clip/14402862/evacuees-watch-as-homes-in-leilani-estates-continue-to-be-destroyed-by-lava

and this one from Harry Durgin of the sight Kahakai residents near the Summit woke up to see: http://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/clip/14405496/kahakai-residents-woke-up-to-this-spectacular-scene-on-thursday-morning

 

[bgl]

About access to Leilani Estates: My house is on Pomaikai and I had zero problems getting in this morning. (I am in Hilo now, though). Photo taken a short distance from my front door.

[WestCoastGal]

OMG I saw the beginning part of this person's story a little while ago when he was first hospitalized and unconscious and an article was written about his injury. Then just recently saw someone post on a fb comment area that he had regained consciousness and how happy they were about it. But in everything I recall reading no one had identified where this man was from exactly. Now I know...and some of you LE residents likely know him, Dave Jarman. Back when they were rushing to evacuate LE, he fell against their second story railing, crashed through it and broke his back and has been in the hospital for the last two weeks or so. His wife, Denise, recounts the terrifying moment it happened. Dave has been at the Queen's Medical Center in Honolulu and it sounds like he was expected to be released today to head to Utah for extensive rehab. Sure wish him well in his recovery and hope his spinal condition isn't permanent. There's been much progress made in spinal injuries since Christopher Reeve's time.

Well watching the video I was further shocked and immediately recognized where Dave and Denise live/lived -- Next to Victor (Scott's video pig house) on the kipuka at the lower end of Kahukai. Wow. 

Here's the video to watch for yourself:

http://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/clip/14401185/big-island-man-paralyzed-while-fleeing-from-lava-utters-first-words

[Dypsisdean]

19 minutes ago, bgl said:

About access to Leilani Estates: My house is on Pomaikai and I had zero problems getting in this morning. (I am in Hilo now, though). Photo taken a short distance from my front door.

Bo - thanks for the update. It has been impossible to get any accurate appraisal of the conditions around your houses. From what I can see, you are free of the cinder and dead foliage we have all seen elsewhere. Did you get a chance to check out your old garden?

[WestCoastGal]

36 minutes ago, bgl said:

About access to Leilani Estates: My house is on Pomaikai and I had zero problems getting in this morning. (I am in Hilo now, though). Photo taken a short distance from my front door.

Glad you got in. Let us know how it goes. Man I have to say that's a great photo. And your palms there look great. Since palms are associated with tropical islands and those islands are formed by volcanoes, just a natural pairing I guess.

BTW if you do head down to Malama to check out the old place, make sure you take your SO2 respirator and goggles with you just in case. There's been a lot of steaming from those fissures down that way in case you haven't been able to get caught up with some of the recent info from that area. Your friends house at the end of Malama at Pomaikai on the corner there...some really wild expansion of cracks there, Ikaika was down there at the request of the wife I think and Isaac Krakauer posted a video of horrible steam/gassing where people were walking around inside with resperators on. Recent flyover videos have shown the steaming as well, all along that area and the USGS has mentioned them in their Alert.

I could swear I read today somewhere that USGS indicated that the pressure seems to be balanced with F8's flow from what they could tell from readings, but you never know when things could change with an earthquake somewhere that alters access underground. Was going to link to that info but can't for the life of me find where I read that. 

[bgl]

Dean and Debbie, thanks for your comments. I actually walked in quickly to my old place this morning, and everything is OK (in a relative sense). LOTS of the tiny very lightweight cinder all over the place (driveway is an absolute mess) but other than that, fine. And I didn't need a mask, but I could see the massive steam cloud just down the street on the corner of Pomaikai and Malama and I wouldn't venture into that without a mask. I will be checking on my old place on a regular basis now. And not that it matters but the coconut palms in the photo I posted are not mine. They are in an open common area here in Leilani Estates.

[WestCoastGal]

Mileka posted something on her fb page I think Leilani residents might want to read. It's about the curfew issue mainly but also about two sets of residents of Leilani, Smiley Burrows/Kula (who I remembered being down at Kapoho/Green Mountain) and Richard and Bett Bidleman/Malama. The post is rather long so thought I'd only put up the link this time and you can read it there. In the video Mileka interviews each of them. Here's the post: https://www.facebook.com/milekalincoln.hnn/videos/1807396022652617/

[WestCoastGal]

Ryan Finlay (fb Hawaii Tracker group) updated his page as of 7:45pm HST (10:45pm PDT) to add that Pu'uO'o ejected a red dust plume today. "According to USGS, following a magnitude-3.2 earthquake at the summit, twelve rockfalls were recorded in Puʻu ʻŌʻō between 10:31 and 10:56 AM with a prominent, but brief, red dust plume ejected into the air around 10:50 AM."

----

USGS PGV cam from a few minutes ago.

----

Mick Kalber posted a video from Friday 6/8:

 

[WestCoastGal]

Here are the latest USGS reports from their website:

Alert as of Fri., 6/8 @ 4:54pm HST (7:54pm PDT): https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/status.html

Photos: Photos for 6/8 were posted. A few very neat ones from Halema'uma'u IMO. Especially the double plume one. https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/multimedia_chronology.html

Map: Updated as of June 8 at Noon HST.

[WestCoastGal]

A few news stories to highlight tonight:

Hawaii News Now has an article on Fissure 8. It pumps out an estimated 26K gallons of lava per second. 

----

The topic of what will happen to Puna Geothermal Venture plant is starting to be discussed. 

----

Gov. Ige signs a bill for 1,600 more affordable units. 

----

KHON2's report on high levels of vog and SO2 moving north and holding over the Saddle area of the island. Reminder that N-95 masks only protect against ash or vog particulates NOT SO2 gas.

----

The effect of the lava with respect to the marine life in Kapoho Bay. 

[WestCoastGal]

I'll leave off for the night with 2 additional videos that Scott posted Friday morning.