Lava Update and Economic Re-Building Needs of the District of Puna

At our corner of Luana and Leilani

Aloha blog followers! We belong to a local forum of neightbors on NextDoor where we can access information being posted by our friends and neighbors. In the last week or so, people still living in either the voluntary evacuation or even the involuntary zones are providing some encouraging news -- that, of course, must be taken with a grain (or three) of salt. The main source of flowing lava from Fissure #8 appears to be slowing, but this historic and unprecedented volcanic event remains unpredictable.

Lava fissures slice across the land

From earlier posts there are fissures that slice cross the entire subdivision from the southwest corner to the northeast. There are gas emissions coming up through many of those fissures in many places. We understand that some people want to move back into their still-standing homes.  However, many of the still-standing homes have extensive and permanent damage making them uninhabitable. This video shows the extent of the damage to homes, lives and local farms.

VIDEO:  Fissure 8 reduced flow

Of particular interest to us is at 50 (seconds in) where the 200+ foot cinder cone covers what was our property, also at 1.0. At 1.41 you can see Luana street, and because we know all our neighbors, it is painfully personal. Aloha to Erik and Amber, Helena, Roni and John, Eileen, Harry and Patti, and others whose houses are still standing on our street, but uninhabitable There are other neighbors who like us, where fire burned their homes days before the lava reach them..

Also, at 2.34 you can see a graphic image of a home totally surrounded and inaccessible. At 2.45 you can see the result of lava tubes feeding into the ocean. At 2.58, 3.07 and 3.30 what remains of the local favorites -- Isaac Hale Boat ramp, where the pilot gives a "thumbs up" it is still there. Lastly, perhaps just as an abstract image, 3.03.

Using some of the same footage Hawaii Volcano Observatory provides explanation:

HVO extensive explanation of slow-down

Most people traumatized by this event are worried about where to live, what to eat, how to survive, businesses and farms frantic over loss of income -- while the state and county "discuss" appropriation of money to help this crisis. Frankly, many people don't have the energy or time to devote -- that's what we expect from our government and elected officials..WELL JUST LISTEN to the BLAH BLAH BLAH response to the desperate needs and requests for financial assistance. For example - listen to the fact of the State appropriation of $100 MILLION dollars to Kauai -- when they asked for it through a Special Session and got it in ONE WEEK!-- and NOTHING yet for Puna on the Big Island --- over three months later.

Senator Ruderman and Mayor Kim asking COUNTY AND STATE to help