Living with Lava: Day 90 of Continuous Lava Eruption, six miles from our home in Hawaii

THE NEW NORMAL: LIVING IN THE LAVA ZONE UPDATE

Night shot of ocean entry with "perched channel" of lava feeding it from above

Lava, shmava, where's dinner?

Our lava events are usually effusive, not eruptive, so you can approach...with caution

Lava fountain and Ikaika Marzo, beloved local lava celebrity

DESTRUCTION AND DEVASTATION: Today is the 90^th day of continuous lava flow since the current eruption started on May 3, 2018. Since then over 700 homes have been completely destroyed by lava covering over 13 square miles. This toll does not even count the numerous other homes that are inaccessible since roads are cut off or they are literally surrounded by lava, but still standing. Spectacularly beautiful local spots such as the warm ponds; Kapoho bay snorkeling area; and Green Crater Lake, have been taken by lava. The scenic drive along the coast on the Red Road abruptly ends where a towering pile of lava covers the road at heights up to 60’. Kalani, our beloved local eco-resort, lost all their business due to cancelled reservations and to Route 130 (The Red Road) being roadblocked for over 7 weeks, and has closed, probably permanently. (they had other serious management issues too).

The local economy is devastated by a huge drop in tourism. Volcanoes National Park is our biggest attraction bringing visitors to the Big Island. It’s been closed since mid-May. Vacation rentals and hotels fed tourists into the local restaurants, bars and retail establishments. Cleaning and maintenance of the rental homes and hotels provided employment. Now many friends and local residents are trying to figure out how to replace what was a steady source of income.

REBUILDING AND SIGNS OF HOPE:

The ohana (community) came together very quickly to support lava refugees. Tiny homes were built to house people who had lost everything. Pu’uhonua o Puna is the backbone of these efforts, along with a free kitchen and gathering place called The Hub. Robert and I were happy to provide a new permanent place to live to one friend at our place, and temporary housing to another one too. While a lot of friends have permanently left the area, others have already bought new homes or rented new apartments. Our ohana will be smaller, but tighter and stronger, after all we’ve been through together.

WHAT LAVA FLOW, I HAVEN’T SEEN ANYTHING ABOUT IT FOR MONTHS?: There’s a molten river of 2000 degree molten rock flowing at speeds of 15-25 miles/hour along an 8 mile long “perched channel” path until it ends up entering the ocean and making new land. Here on the Mainland, though, the press rarely covers the lava event. When they do, they make idiotic mistakes (Fox News chiron saying that Oahu is threatened with lava explosions (they’re 200 miles from the Big Island!)). Or they say “cow sized boulders are exploding from Kilauea crater” (it never happened). But since no one has been killed, and the only injuries were on a lava boat that was too close to shore, the press has lost interest.

HOW LONG WILL IT LAST? Here’s a quote from a US Geological Survey report saying basically, that they really don’t know:

“If the ongoing eruption maintains its current style of activity at a high eruption rate, then it may take months to a year or two to wind down. While this seems to be the most

likely outcome, a pause in the eruption, followed by additional activity, cannot be ruled out, nor can an abrupt cessation or a transition to steady, longer-lived activity at a lower effusion rate.”

Our house at twilight

HOW’S OUR HOUSE?: Our house, meanwhile, is still not in the area at greatest risk of lava inundation. The lava flows are going away from our place, downhill to the ocean even farther away. We are, however, under the “giant cloud of Mordor” of the ocean plume created 11 miles away at the ocean entry point. When the wind blows in our direction, which is often, our place is darkened under a low hanging cloud. We also get small amounts of volcanic ash and Pele’s Hair. The latter are hair sized and length volcanic glass particles.

SpongeBob SquarePants makes you SMILE!

HOW’RE YOU FEELING ABOUT ALL THIS?: I was not alone in experiencing deep emotional trauma from the impact of lava on my friends and my ohana (family/community) in May. Then my mood shifted, believe it or not, due to seeing “SpongeBob SquarePants” on Broadway. Robert and I had no idea that the plot of the silly, fun, brightly colored musical was a runaway volcano threatening to obliterate the undersea village of Bikini Bottom! He and I turned to each other when we learned about the plot with “WTF, you can’t make this stuff up” grins on our faces. I started feeling better after the show, and am now living the “new normal”, twice daily updates from the USGS (US Geological Survey). I’m still worried, but I am pretty much back to my “happy inside” norm (with a new understanding of terms like PTSD, depression, and survivors guilt). Through all of this I have been supported by my loving, wonderful husband of 28 years, Robert. Mahalo, baby!

Meanwhile, back in Hawaii earlier this year, I took some great photos of our house and garden. Here they are!