Concern for Leilani Estates as lava moves eastward underground

[Moose]

Honestly when I saw Bo taking pictures at that vent blowing out small chunks of lava (tephra?) in the beginning I was so intrigued. Figured the event would be short lived. Never imagined this would evolve into a historical event that had lava affecting so many lives.

The volcanologists have learned a lot. New perceptions and theories abound.

What I thought I knew  - and what I know now is ... I know nothing.

Except when Debbie mentions a street, I know where its at without referring to a map.

Edited June 9, 2018 by Moose

[WestCoastGal]

45 minutes ago, Moose said:

Honestly when I saw Bo taking pictures at that vent blowing out small chunks of lava (tephra?) in the beginning I was so intrigued. Figured the event would be short lived. Never imagined this would evolve into a historical event that had lava affecting so many lives.

The volcanologists have learned a lot. New perceptions and theories abound.

What I thought I knew  - and what I know now is ... I know nothing.

Except when Debbie mentions a street, I know where its at without referring to a map.

LOL on the last comment. But I know what you mean. I was actually clueless when I was reading/watching the Hawaii News Now article on Smiley and the other couple. While I recognize Malama and know how it runs, when Smiley indicated her home was on Kula I scratched my head and had to pull up google maps! Aside from Kahukai, Leilani and Malama in the western section of LE, we seldom see other streets names over there mentioned. Good for everyone there I guess . 

I have learned alot too about volcanoes from just this past month. Always knew that lava flows and eruptions could be beautiful and deadly. Hadn’t known that, in short order, lava (guess mostly ‘a’a) could build towering walls though. What we saw grow in height in Leilani has been impressive but that 30+ foot moving flow of ‘a’a that swallowed up the area at Kapoho Bay overnight was something else. I looked at those Hawaii County CD photos in awe and zoomed in and tried to compare the house’s roof height to what was coming at them. With all that volume and increased speed flowing downslope it had a good chance to really increase in height before it could spread out. If officials weren’t doing evacuations in the middle of the night getting people out of there who hadn’t left yet, people easily could have been killed and buried while they slept. The technology we have now is so much better than let’s say even from 1960’s Kopoho eruption. 

I also don’t think I realized Halema’uma’u and Pu’uO’o could empty out like that. Having flown over Pu’uO’o at one time, kind of sad to see it now highly likely a “thing” of the past, doomed I guess to collapse in on itself (yesterday’s red dust eruption I guess just the start) and down the road maybe covered over like many of the vents along the lower East Rift Zone. Never occured to me that PGV sat next to what are two old tree-covered vents. Or that there were old vents in similar states in Leilani Estates. Having to pull out the topo maps revealed alot. Appreciate those members here who added those to our thread early on. Also never knew magma could exist still in a molten state for decades in tubes like we found out from the Leilani eruptions. 

I’ve never been a fan of drones (not liking the idea of one flying around or over our house and yard and don’t want my packages delivered that way) but have seen how beneficial they have been in this use. Also not a fan or proponent of social media sites due to privacy and compiling personal info on people, facebook in particular, but have seen how they have and still are a conduit to important communication in disaster situations like this. Doubt I’ll ever want a facebook account (and resent they still gather info on me while not a member) but as you know once I found I could reach some user pages, it became a big part of what we’ve shared here.

[WestCoastGal]

Back home so getting a chance to see what Scott was up to this morning. So far only one video posted after his morning talk and a very cool one at that. He's standing upstreet on Leilani looking towards Nohea below where you can see the lava river flowing in front of him in the distance and to the right through some trees, Fissure 8. The morning sky is just breaking and very pastel like. Beautiful sight.

One of the geologist he spoke with who was down there said the cone was 35 meters high (almost 115 feet--apx 8.75+ stories tall) and shooting up to 40 meters (apx 131 feet--10+ stories). Fire Department vehicle approaches him (get the feeling he was glad it wasn't the police). Next view is at Luana looking towards Leilani and F8. He then goes back to the end of Malama on the east side of LE (he was there yesterday as well). You can see F8 through the trees. Always present view it seems. He had a request to show the last house on the western side of the road (13-754). Among the SO2 brown vegetation he remarks how some of the plants there are still apparently thriving, like the spiky agave. Next scene is on Hookupu looking north towards Leilani. Nice view of F8 through a few trees. Beautiful. And he pans to the left to show off in the distance the lava river zoomed in. Flowing pretty quickly. 

[WestCoastGal]

There has been an effort by locals, Dane Ikaika duPont specifically, to maintain an unofficial map of the homes lost from the eruptions. This has been kind of an issue since the county's count has been far less than what local residents have observed at times (and there was this whole thing about being permitted or not). Not sure how all this is arrived at (like street view and/or flyover photos) but again this is unofficial. Seem to recall Ikaika Marzo asking residents to check in at the Info Suppy Hub and think in one of his Friday talks I linked to here on the thread Dane, the map guy, gave a map update. 

Thought if people weren't aware this is something being tracked on the google Community Mapping Project map, I'd show it now. I think this is a fairly new feature of the map. Here's the link to the map, and here's what a screen view of Leilani Estates area looks like. All of the areas down to Kapoho are shown however on the community map.

Some of you on the ground in LE may know of other homes lava covered not indicated. I guess I would suggest getting in touch with Dane on fb* or Ikaika on fb or contact the Info Supply Hub with how to get it updated. I know there were a number of vacant lots on each street in case people are wondering why the locations aren't all right next to each other.

To turn on or off the markers for the homes, look at the status of the box next to "Leilani 6.2.2018.csv" (checked or unchecked). Similar for Kapoho area. You can also turn on and off the Parcel maps, the flow maps, etc so a lot of versatility for what you want to see.

 

Here's an older post Dane had made on fb Hawaii Tracker group page about the Leilani count: https://www.facebook.com/groups/hawaiitracker/permalink/990132017819283/

[WestCoastGal]

Ryan Finlay (fb Hawaii Tracker group) had this link to the Hawaii Lava Flow Animal Rescue Network on his site and I wanted to share it.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/HLFARN/permalink/1246010275502250/

Check out this photo post from from Demian (Db Photo at Primary Focus) of some of the last remaining homes in northern Kapoho near where the Champagne ponds use to be. According to Ryan he took the photo aboard one of Shane's boats (Seelava.com). Awesome photo. While you may not be able to go into Hawaii Volcano National Park or the tide pools at Kapoho, doing a boat tour like this should would still make your vacation memorable as you see land being formed.

https://www.facebook.com/350778808336211/photos/a.351502038263888.82900.350778808336211/1726784127402332/?type=3&theater

 

 

[WestCoastGal]

Looks like a dreary day. Here's a live cam screen capture from the Puna Geothermal Venture camera across from lower Leilani at 1:30pm HST (4:30pm PDT).

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The links to the latest updates from USGS.

Alert as of Sat., 6/9 @ 8:15am HST (11:15am PDT): https://www.facebook.com/groups/HLFARN/permalink/1246010275502250/

Some new photos were published as of today. One of them from Kapoho shown below. Pretty amazing the height of the lava on the land. https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/multimedia_chronology.html

Photo: US Geological Survey

The Map has been updated for today as of 10am HST (1pm PDT): https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/multimedia_maps.html

Map: US Geological Survey

 

[Dave-Vero]

Community mapping has been used for a number of "official" purposes, including quick production of maps for use by people working to control the latest Ebola outbreak in Congo.  It's proven fast and effective, a powerful new tool.   

I can't comment on this community effort, but my best guess is that it provides a rapid assessment that's far better than word of mouth.  

The USGS maps are imperfect, but represent a substantial investment by that agency, which is no doubt having budget problems.  Photogrammetry is hard work even when you have excellent imagery.  

[WestCoastGal]

A Honolulu Star-Advertiser video/article on the volunteer work in Pahoa constructing those 20 micro units for temporary shelter. 

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Another earthquake struck the Summit around 4:52 am HST (7:52am PDT) this morning. Another ash explosion. Big Island Video News reports that over 100 acres of new land has been added to the island at Kapoho. Updates on the construction and other events in the area. http://www.bigislandvideonews.com/2018/06/09/eruption-digest-for-june-9-summit-explosion-kapoho-lava-delta-grows/

[WestCoastGal]

I see that Hawaii County Civil Defense has a new high detailed photo/video album up for Friday, 6/8.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/141970887@N04/albums/72157696087377701/with/42634339622/

 

From the 6/8 album (Photo by Hawaii County Civil Defense) of Kapoho area. I believe this is a nursery with some nice bismarkias? tht survived.

And to the right of this looks to be another growers place. There are more photos and closer up views in the album.

 

And look at this very interesting pool of water....old cone? old lava tube skylight? The fact that it didn't get overrun with lava leads me to believe an old cone. I thought Green Lake was the only cone lake.

How about this house? Looks like it was under construction as the railings have only been partial errected on the second floor and stairs.

And comparing the photo above and the one below, the neighboring homes next to the blue house didn't make it.

Have to wonder why one house gets spared like this. Kind of like tornadoes I guess that demolish everything along their path but skip over some. More photos in the album of what has survived (so far if Pele is leaving something behind).

Here's Green Lake all filled in:

 

In the photo below, in the middle of the image on the ridge is a cell tower. That the tower at John and David's Honolulu Civil Beat house where the live feed cam was located. Only this is from the opposite side of the ridge.

 

 

[WestCoastGal]

ALERT sent out by Civil Defense and just saw on Mileka's fb page. One of USGS/Civil Defense's concerns was perched ponds overflowing at some point.

Here's the Big Island Video News report on this, as of 3:42pm HST: sounds like it's contained but something that needs to be watched and residents in the area should stay on the alert for breaking news. The concern I'm sure is that a fast flowing breakout could flow and threaten parts of Nanawale Estates. There is a decent line that runs on the east side of the development that could channel any flow down in that direction.

http://www.bigislandvideonews.com/2018/06/09/video-3-pm-eruption-update-flow-cresting-channel-near-lava-tree/

Here's the map showing the lava channel in the Hwy 132 and Pohoiki Road intersection and it's relationship to Leilani and Nanawale Estates. I don't think the topography would send it towards Leilani but the concern being more for Nanawale Estates. But then again they didn't indicate where along the lava channel this occured which would good to know.

[WestCoastGal]

Jonathan Wright (brother of Jason Twillman's Noni Farm property) posted a video update as of today. He and his wife are willing to volunteer some of their property to help house people temporarily. Trying to work with the Mayor on that. Discusses the google community mapping project. He talks about the magnetic interference they experienced when Fissure 7 and 8 were first erupting. I've heard him talk about that before in passing but he shows his video from back then. I know Haleakala on Maui had lava with high iron content and was magnetic so wonder where some of this magma was originating from. Pu'uO'o had that rusty brown look to it and we know I think that USGS had said at the time that the lava coming out of Fissure 8 had a signature from there. It seems like forever that F8 has been erupting.

He highlights some of the great photographic work of locals from the area. 

 

BTW this is the Mayor's plea 3 days ago that Jonathan referenced where he heard about Puna being in great need of help. Very sober, honest and gutwrenching message the Mayor gives to the Council with regards to their budget.

 

[WestCoastGal]

Heading out to late dinner but here's a parting camera grab from the USGS PGV cam before it gets dark. If there was a breakout going towards Lava Tree Monument Park I would think it might appear on the right side of the camera the main flow of which is headed toward Kapoho. Remember I think there's a smudge on the camera lens on the right side of this image.

and from a few minutes later, definitely been a growing steam activity on the left side over the past few days. This is the most I've noticed since checking in on it.

Probably should add the link to the live PGcamera feed: 

https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/observatories/hvo/webcam.html?webcam=PGcam

 

[bgl]

Here's a photo I took just a little while ago from Pomaikai Street, looking east on Leilani Avenue. That river of lava crossing the Avenue right around Luana Street (from F8) is VERY fast moving. (Going from right to left).

[Kim]

Please delete. Tried to add video, did not work.

Edit:  new photos added 

This is an especially large chunk of what we are seeing all over roofs, streets, and gardens.  Light as a feather, and easily crushed to a fine sparkly dust. 

Smaller bits on a Tahina leaf

[WestCoastGal]

Bo that's crazy! And it looks so close too!!! 

Kim, I'm not seeing the video and think you may have to upload it on a hosting site and link to it. Not sure though.

[Kim]

15 minutes ago, WestCoastGal said:

Bo that's crazy! And it looks so close too!!! 

Kim, I'm not seeing the video and think you may have to upload it on a hosting site and link to it. Not sure though.

Refresh; I deleted my video and added a couple of photos instead. I'll upload my various videos to YouTube another day.

[WestCoastGal]

Kim your garden is beautiful! Black glass paperweights and all LOL. Careful of the fine glass fragments. USGS early on warned people about using their windshield wipers to clear them from their car window and possibly scratching their windshield. Have you experienced tephra before? BTW what palm is shown in between the two posts, kind of lower to the ground? I'd love to grow that at our place (sure we can't though in our colder climate).

Really loving your covered patio, especially the wood pole posts. Kind of twisted wood. Very unique. Man this must really suck to have such a nice place and not be able to use it. I really hope Pele is kind to you.

[WestCoastGal]

Update to the USGS Alert page for Sat., 6/9 @ 3:50pm HST (6:50pm PDT):

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

In way of refresher course, F16/18 mentioned in the Alert are located in front of where the Civil Beat House off Hwy 132 was. In the photo below, this would be off camera and to the left a distance.

PGV live feed cam at 8:40pm HST (11:40pm PDT).

 

[WestCoastGal]

USGS scientists are now reporting that the lava in Kapoho has now created 200 acres of new land, doubling what was reported not long ago. Fissure 8 is still just as active in sending lava through the channel to Kapoho.  Given the unending flow of fast lava to Kapoho it will be interesting to see how the island grows in the coming days/weeks/months.

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Volunteer construction workers commit themselves to finishing the 20 micro units today. 

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USGS had to debunk some rumors that Mauna Loa was going to erupt. 

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How Scientists are gauging when the next time Halema'uma'u will erupt. This article also shows what volcanic ash looks like under low magnification and then as seen under a high powered electron microscope, with its sharp edges. 

[Moose]

8 hours ago, Kim said:

Please delete. Tried to add video, did not work.

Edit:  new photos added 

This is an especially large chunk of what we are seeing all over roofs, streets, and gardens.  Light as a feather, and easily crushed to a fine sparkly dust. 

Smaller bits on a Tahina leaf

Curious if the tephra has mineral components that would be beneficial to the garden, I suspect that it's not harmful as that tephra looks it's been on Kim's Tahina for a few weeks with no apparent observed damage. I think the palms are happy to see Momma back home.

 

[Justin]

15 hours ago, WestCoastGal said:

I see that Hawaii County Civil Defense has a new high detailed photo/video album up for Friday, 6/8.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/141970887@N04/albums/72157696087377701/with/42634339622/

 

From the 6/8 album (Photo by Hawaii County Civil Defense) of Kapoho area. I believe this is a nursery with some nice bismarkias? tht survived.

And to the right of this looks to be another growers place. There are more photos and closer up views in the album.

 

And look at this very interesting pool of water....old cone? old lava tube skylight? The fact that it didn't get overrun with lava leads me to believe an old cone. I thought Green Lake was the only cone lake.

How about this house? Looks like it was under construction as the railings have only been partial errected on the second floor and stairs.

And comparing the photo above and the one below, the neighboring homes next to the blue house didn't make it.

Have to wonder why one house gets spared like this. Kind of like tornadoes I guess that demolish everything along their path but skip over some. More photos in the album of what has survived (so far if Pele is leaving something behind).

Here's Green Lake all filled in:

 

In the photo below, in the middle of the image on the ridge is a cell tower. That the tower at John and David's Honolulu Civil Beat house where the live feed cam was located. Only this is from the opposite side of the ridge.

 

 

The nursery looks like it could be Kapoho Kai, but honestly with the surrounding landscape so different, it's near impossible for me to say, as the usual context is just gone.

[Justin]

9 hours ago, WestCoastGal said:

Kim your garden is beautiful! Black glass paperweights and all LOL. Careful of the fine glass fragments. USGS early on warned people about using their windshield wipers to clear them from their car window and possibly scratching their windshield. Have you experienced tephra before? BTW what palm is shown in between the two posts, kind of lower to the ground? I'd love to grow that at our place (sure we can't though in our colder climate).

Really loving your covered patio, especially the wood pole posts. Kind of twisted wood. Very unique. Man this must really suck to have such a nice place and not be able to use it. I really hope Pele is kind to you.

Those glass fragments are no joke.  About 3-4 times over the last couple weeks I had to get little shards out of my feet and toes, and just as everyone warned, they broke very easily, so master tweezer skills were required.  And those big black chunks weigh almost nothing, it's amazing.  The best I can think of is those asian dishes where they deep fry the light dough and it has the texture of paper, and weighs almost nothing.

[WestCoastGal]

Morning guys. Another Sunday heading out and only with phone so limited access. Thought I'd post this rather interesting photo from the PGV cam just now (6:30am HST; 9:30am PDT). I honestly don't remember seeing lava river material so close to PGV property (see bottom right corner). 

As for USGS updates:

No new alert since last night at 10:37pm HST: https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/status.html

No new photos since yesterday. https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/multimedia_chronology.html

No new map since yesterday. https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/multimedia_maps.html

[WestCoastGal]

Really little info I'm seeing out there new at the moment. Maybe time for some videos.

Here's a morning tour on Shane's Lava Ocean Tours boat:

https://www.facebook.com/Lavakai/videos/1800254946685044/

Kind of rushing here to get out the door and I don't think I posted Mick Kalber's last video (from 6/9 last night) so sharing it now. I just love watching his work.

Scott hasn't posted anything this morning other than his very early morning walk/chat in the dark. Here's a link to his video page so you can check for new posts during the day. https://www.youtube.com/user/ApauHawaiiTours/videos

Have a good one! And looking forward to Bo and Kim's photos from Leilani later. 

 

 

 

 

[Kim]

54 minutes ago, Justin said:

Those glass fragments are no joke.  About 3-4 times over the last couple weeks I had to get little shards out of my feet and toes, and just as everyone warned, they broke very easily, so master tweezer skills were required.  And those big black chunks weigh almost nothing, it's amazing.  The best I can think of is those asian dishes where they deep fry the light dough and it has the texture of paper, and weighs almost nothing.

This is my first experience with the tephra, and yes, it will scratch everything. I had a tiny piece in my toe, about the size of a fine grain of sand -- absolutely the same feeling as a glass shard, for sure. If it is glass, I can't see what benefit it would have in the garden, but no harm either. Basically inert.

I will have more photos and videos to share later. It was quite an experience to be in my house and so near fissure 8. I am generally not a fearful person, but put a puking, roaring volcano in my front yard, and yeah, it's slightly intimidating. I didn't sleep in my house due to the glow and noise and potential fumes if the wind shifts. After a couple of days, I am now habituated to its presence -- not sure if that is a good thing or a bad thing!

[Kim]

11 hours ago, WestCoastGal said:

Kim your garden is beautiful! Black glass paperweights and all LOL. Careful of the fine glass fragments. USGS early on warned people about using their windshield wipers to clear them from their car window and possibly scratching their windshield. Have you experienced tephra before? BTW what palm is shown in between the two posts, kind of lower to the ground? I'd love to grow that at our place (sure we can't though in our colder climate).

Really loving your covered patio, especially the wood pole posts. Kind of twisted wood. Very unique. Man this must really suck to have such a nice place and not be able to use it. I really hope Pele is kind to you.

Debbie, the yellowed palm is Pelagodoxa henryana -- there are five of them in what I call my "tea house garden", my happy place .  There once were trees that shaded the young palms more, but after Hurricane Iselle in 2014, the trees fell and they get too much sun, thus the yellowing.

The posts of the tea house are from ohi'a trees, often used here for construction, both interior and exterior, truly a unique Hawaiian element. I hope it will still be there later on... flying back to California today.

[Moose]

 

[Moose]

 

[Moose]

 

[Moose]

This may be a repeat of a video posted about a week ago.

Edited June 10, 2018 by Moose

[Moose]

 

 

Civil Defense update. Don't sound like much has changed since last update

Edited June 10, 2018 by Moose

[Moose]

Published on Jun 10, 2018

Kapoho Flow 2018 midnight fly over fast moving lava flowing into Kapoho bay. This footage will give you an idea of the volume of Lava coming down the rift shelf into the bay area. one cannot put into words the sight of this. the Flight was at Midnight at less then 300 ft. over private property you will see This river rides on a bed of cooler A'aa lava 50 ft high. our prayers are with all of Puna.. Big Island Hawaii. Leilani estates ,

This looks like Drone footage

[Dypsisdean]

[Darold Petty]

That's a great shirt!

It is interesting to me how polarizing the coqui frogs are.  Love or hate seem to be the only two positions.  Dean, do you have them, or are they only on the east side ?

[Dypsisdean]

42 minutes ago, Darold Petty said:

That's a great shirt!

It is interesting to me how polarizing the coqui frogs are.  Love or hate seem to be the only two positions.  Dean, do you have them, or are they only on the east side ?

This is the second year they have been here. It took awhile, but eventually someone brings one in (on equipment, car, or plant), and slowly but surely they expand outwardly.

[Kim]

Short video from my Leilani garden at night

 

Fissure 8 from Moku

[WestCoastGal]

6 hours ago, Kim said:

Debbie, the yellowed palm is Pelagodoxa henryana -- there are five of them in what I call my "tea house garden", my happy place .  There once were trees that shaded the young palms more, but after Hurricane Iselle in 2014, the trees fell and they get too much sun, thus the yellowing.

The posts of the tea house are from ohi'a trees, often used here for construction, both interior and exterior, truly a unique Hawaiian element. I hope it will still be there later on... flying back to California today.

Thanks. Looked it up and knew it would be out of my zone range.  Saw that they can get to 15-30 feet. Nice. We have a Rhapis excelsa that gets too much sun occasionally depending on our mule palm fronds at the time and yellows a bit but I love the palm so it's what it is. Still enjoyable and I've gotten use to seeing some yellow. 

Yes, that's really beautiful wood and I love it for the posts. Thanks for the ID. Not very knowledgeable about lumber. I remember posting in this thread about the Ohi'a disease. So sad that it's one of the tree species under attack by fungal diseases now, not unlike our sudden oak death disease here in California. Have a good trip back. 

[WestCoastGal]

3 hours ago, Moose said:

Published on Jun 10, 2018

Kapoho Flow 2018 midnight fly over fast moving lava flowing into Kapoho bay. This footage will give you an idea of the volume of Lava coming down the rift shelf into the bay area. one cannot put into words the sight of this. the Flight was at Midnight at less then 300 ft. over private property you will see This river rides on a bed of cooler A'aa lava 50 ft high. our prayers are with all of Puna.. Big Island Hawaii. Leilani estates ,

This looks like Drone footage

Someone asked about the distance from Fissure 8 and Kapoho Bay and heard it was around 8 miles. 

[WestCoastGal]

Tim O'hara posted this USGS video compliation of Fissure 8 and it's lava flow and Halema'uma'u. The lava river is still captivating to me after all these weeks and all the video/photos I've seen. Interesting to really look at the lava river sitting above Leilani.

From US Geological Survey video:

Kim, I would be nervous sleeping that close to this too.

At the end of this Tim mentions coming back with his own video footage after surviving from a drone attack. No idea what that means. 

[WestCoastGal]

1 hour ago, Kim said:

Short video from my Leilani garden at night

 

Fissure 8 from Moku

Hi Kim, this is what I see when I click on the link.