Always on the Move

Photo from the HVO Kilauea Status website of Kilauea's inner crater.

Sometimes it is hard to explain the difference between living on the Big Island of Hawaii, and living back on the continent of America.  While there are fault zones and even earthquakes, the difference is that our land is not solid!  In fact it is always moving beneath us AND moving above ground as it has for the past 30+ years.

Even when we take visiting friends to Kilauea to see the inner Crater of Halema'uma'u the House of the Ferns, (pronounced HA-LAY MA-U MA-U) apart from the glow at night, it often seems static, but it is not. In just the last few weeks the lava level inside the inner crater has fluctuated a lot, sometimes dropping down and sometimes spilling over the top.

Lava stopped just before dividing out town in half!

While the most exciting view at the present time is the lava flowing into the ocean which we shared with blog viewers in our August 9th blog, there's a LOT happening down inside the inner crater of Kilauea all the time.

"Click" on this link from the US Geological Survey - Halema'u'ma'u Crater   This is a 12 minute video created by the USGS during July. (You have an option just to "click" and view, or to download the video.) It was lava from a Kilauea vent called Pu'u O'o that flowed directly at our small village of Pahoa just a couple years ago, stopping just at the edge of the town -- to the relief of everyone.

Pele Greets Sister Namaka

Things are really flowing here on the Big Island of Hawaii!  Down here in Puna, where lava has been flowing continuously for over 30 years, "Punatics" are living on the edge -- literally.  A couple years ago, as you may know, the lava flow from Kilauea's Pu'u O'o vent rather suddenly changed directions and headed straight toward our little Village of Pahoa.  Stopping only a few hundred feet from splitting the town in half, thankfully the flow returned to a path taking it toward the ocean.

"Moon Rise at Mokuna" by Lunel Haysmer (c)

"Sunset at Mokuna" by Lunel Haysmer (c)

Once again Pele has made national news as lava is now flowing into the ocean. Or, as Hawaiian traditions tell, Pele has returned to embrace her sister, Namaka, Goddess of the Sea.

Like many local artists, I have been inspired to created two versions of one of my "lava drawings" -- to feature a MOON RISE in one, and a SUNSET in the other.

Please do not use these images without asking.  As with my other images, they are copyrighted, and available as 5x7 note cards ($3 each..)  They are available as gallery-wrapped 18x24" canvases.

For Christmas I will be offering them as quilted soft sculpture fabric art for wall hangings. You may contact me through this blog site for more information.   MAHALO


 

It's STILL All Right Here!!

Art by Donna Seller - "Arts Alive in Old Town"

...now, though, the "here" is in PUNA Hawaii!

We spent 22 years living in the heart of Northern California’s redwoods where we also owned a successful gallery in the historic Old Town section of Eureka.  The slogan for this Victorian area was “It’s All Right Here.”  We enjoyed being able to say that everything we needed was on “our street” which was F Street. We lived in a charming old home on F Street that was built in the 1860’s.  Our business, Many Hands Gallery Many Hands Eureka  (pictured above left) was on F Street, as was our bookkeeper, hairdresser, bank, favorite restaurants and other amenities.  It was one of the real charms of living in a small community.

Lava approaching Pahoa Village Road

When we bought our retirement house in the Puna District on Hawaii’s Big Island, we soon discovered that we had delightedly moved to a similar situation in Pahoa.  We are retired so we no longer own a business.  However it is STILL “All Right Here” – on Pahoa Village Road where we find our bank, CPA, market, video shop, auto repair, drugstore, health food store, post office, senior center, library, chiropractor, swimming pool and numerous small novelty shops, museum and used bookstore. 

Because of Kilauea's serious lava flow from the Pu'u O'o vent that threatened to go right through the middle of Pahoa, we now have many aerial images of Pahoa Village that did not exist prior to that distressing year-long event.  (In case you didn’t know, the flow stopped just before Pahoa Village Road.)

For a couple local tours visit this U-Tube video. Photo Tour of Pahoa  OR Another Puna Tour -- Look see!

Going With the Flow

NY Times Article on PAHOA

Wow, little Pahoa Village in the NY Times!  This is a good article (click on above link) on what life is like here in the Puna District of the Big Island of Hawaii.  The video helps with maps, aerial photography and interviews.  The Pahoa Village population is under 700, but the residents whose lives will be affected when the lava crosses Highway 130 numbers between 7-9000 residents.
(UPDATE: at the bottom)

Phil -- wearing his new LAVA T-shirt

It is difficult to explain to people who don't live here how lava has been flowing from the Pu'u O'o vent (off of Kilauea Crater) for over 30 years -- the longest flow in recorded history.  For 28 years, the unbroken lava flow was due south -- straight to the ocean -- until June two years ago when it began to change course, flowing northeast.

The video is only three minutes, but offers some good perspectives on the phrases "living on the edge" and "going with the flow;" here it is a literal reality.  The land is alive here in a way that invades your consciousness; it is also a source of inspiration and awe.   (UPDATE:  It appears, as of the end of March, the alert status will be down-graded, and we will not hear radio lava-related Civil Defense messages several times daily.  Life will go on, but the awareness of  the forces we live with remain ever present)

Lava Comes to Pahoa for Christmas

Sean King, who is a fabulous local photographer, captured this amazing from-the-source photo.  Lava is now flowing toward the Pahoa Marketplace in Pahoa Village, from the back side.  This is the home of  our local Malama Market that, along with many other small local businesses, are evacuating right now.

Lava follows the path of least resistance and as the 12/18 map from USGS shows, the lava has split into two fronts. The upper branch is the one directly behind Malama Market now.  While the lower branch has stalled temporarily, if/when it begins to flow again, it will threaten the very heart of Pahoa Village.

Right now, we are thankful we have had time to prepare as the holidays are just a few days away, and no one know what may be happening next. Looks like we will be getting something black and lumpy in our stockings this year.  :-(

Lava for Christmas?

Hawaii 24/7 Photo (go see more!)

Some of the urgency has diminished if not the flow itself.  It's not exciting enough for national news just now, but lava is still flowing toward Pahoa, toward Hwy 130, and toward the ocean.

I cannot begin to give the full story here -- the kind of coverage,  like detailed coverage at  "Hawaii 24/7."  On the other hand I also know that people who love us and regularly read this blog will want to know "what the lava is doing."  And, that dear ohana is the hard part to explain -- unless you are HERE, living with this fascinating, palpable  energy on a moment-by-moment basis.  It is always changing.

This is NEW to us --and yet, we both feel so strongly connected to this place there is a peace in our lives.  There is also a distinct "not knowing" here and that has to be OK with you or you leave.  There is a day-by-day "living acceptance" being Lava Zone #1 -- both the newest patch of land on the planet, and maybe the most UN-insurable.

Blue circles our Pahoa Village - arrow is to our house.

For really good details and a short video, please check out this link to HAWAII 24/7.  Hopefully the photos well encourage you to learn more.

http://www.hawaii247.com/2014/12/01/lavatalk-december-1-2014-update-on-kilaueas-lava-flow/

"This morning’s helicopter assessment shows that the breakouts remain active and the furthest downslope breakout has become the new flow front. The active flow is located approximately 2.9 miles upslope of the Highway 130 and Pahoa Village Road intersection. The flow had advanced approximately 400 yards since yesterday." Hawaii 24/7

The map shows the flow in red with yellow circling Pahoa Village Road on the "bottom side road" and Highway #130 on the outer side heading south toward our subdivision.  Notice the "place name" circled in black?  Well that is the ancient Hawaiian name for where we live:  KEAHIALAKA   (But that is for another blog entry so stay tuned.)

Matters of the Heart

In talking with friends and neighbors about this lava event, I find we are all experiencing the same thing -- days when we function rather normally, running errands, working the garden, going to work, etc.  Then, there are days when there is an identifiable withdrawal and a sort of hollowness.  I suspect this comes from the need to balance out all the thoughts and emotions in the face of such powerful uncertainty.

On one hand we are provided facts and figures about lava flow and its day-by-day progression like the factual but frightening chart that suggests (based on science and measurements) that Pele's flow will reach the ocean by ? Thanksgiving YIKES! or Christmas.  (At the same time two of our neighbors are supposed to be moving into their brand new beautiful houses.)

The facts then take on a more personal perspective -- echoed in the second photo of lava creeping through the Buddhist Cemetery in Pahoa.  As lava travels through this local landmark, please take a few moments to read the tender article by Molly Solomon with Hawaii Public Radio as she takes a tour and talks about the Pahoa Japanese Cemetery's 250 graves dating back to 1905. 

http://hpr2.org/post/searching-family-roots-pahoa

Seeing this picture reminds us there are lives at stake -- homes, people and pets. Sometimes it is hard to wrap our heads around the facts and figures, when our hearts are trying to take in the loss.

Be kind to yourself; be kind to others.  
We are all doing the best we can.

ALOHA PAHOA!

ALOHA Pahoa! - MAHALO Pahoa!

The tone today at the Pahoa Farmers' market was quiet.  As lava quickly approaches our charming Village, we are all dealing with loss and grief in our own way.

It is the nature of life -- all things change, and most people I talked with acknowledge that; most of us are simply allowing the sadness to be in our hearts.

'Eha 'eha ho'i au! *

Impermanence is a good, if difficult teaching.  With the hurricanes and Madame Pele, we are being offered a crash course!



Aloha Pele!  Mahalo Pele!

(Yes, I stole all these pictures from a google search for Pahoa and mahalo to the photographers; please forgive me.)
 *"I hurt"

Ho'omakaukau!! (get ready!)

As lava makes its way into Pahoa Village, Mayor Billy Kenoi keeps everyone informed as the teams of specialists from the county and private sector ho'omakaukau!




Pictured from the air, lava headed to town.
Helco protecting power poles at risk.
Reopening Chain of Craters road

Here is a short (6 minute) video of Mayor Kenoi updating Puna residents.  It is short and very informative.  "It's gonna get tough."

This week there have been a few morning when smoke lingered in the air until trade winds blew it away.  The rain we've been having has helped keep the fires in check as the lava advances through the forest.

A few of us are trying to organize residents to encourage officials to rethink 9000 people trying to drive to Hilo for mail pickup with the limited access and long drive we will soon be facing.  Our working campaign is "GOT MAIL?"

In the meantime, we keep up with all the things that need doing -- mowing the lawn today, since we got a break in the rain, and Phil working on an beautiful ohia tree that will be used as a railing for our back porch off the new lanai.  Some of the work on the lanai has taken a back seat, but the hot tub IS working and we are enjoying morning and evening soaks. 

 

Lava on the MOVE

GO HERE FOR UPDATES: http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/activity/kilaueastatus.php

Thanks to BigIslandVideoNews.com -- for the posting this USGS map.  BIVN is one of our favorite places to check for news, not just on the flow, but ALL things "Big Island."

The facts are that Mon-Wed this week the lava moved 405 yards and today moved another 425 yards.  Updated 10/24: Expected to cross Apa'a tonight.  Now we can only wait for it to go a short distance toward the Village of Pahoa -- this could be very sad.  Pahoa is one-of-a-kind -- a true plantation era community, with original wood buildings and wood sidewalks, and one of everything we Punatics need:  post office, health food store, market, drug store, theatre, olympic pool, used bookstore, tattoo artist, great bakery, community center, senior citizens center, farmers' market as well as a variety of restaurants, live music, banks, gas stations, churches and charming shops. 

While our house and subdivision may be safe (for now) we know many families and businesses will be devastated as this lava heads toward the ocean.  Just yesterday I stopped in at the bookstore, the bank and Post Office.  Mail delivery rates high on the concerns of those who live here and we are anxiously awaiting word of a (hopefully) proactive approach to USPS.

Our aloha and prayers to our island ohana.

Hawaii News NOW - USGS takes gps coordinates.

Follow the link below to a pictorial/story about the lava.

  While it is a mid-September date, it is a

 well documented story of what we are experiencing.

  While you are there, visit Kelleigh and

 Brandon's site and learn about  

PUNA BIG ISLAND COFFEE ROASTERS!!!  

Yeah Punatics!

http://bigislandcoffeeroasters.com/punas-lava-problem/

Island of PUNA?!

USGS Photo taken June 27, 2014

This is a photo of Pu'u O'o on June 27th -- the day the NE flow began.  As of September 18th,  according to Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, the leading edge of the lava flow is 300-500 feet wide and 1-2 feet thick. It can thicken, however, to 10 feet or higher as it builds upon itself.  Because the flow does vary, it is difficult to project the exact date that the lava will reach Pahoa and Hwy 130. Given the most recent average daily flow, HVO projects that the lava will reach Pahoa Village road around the end of the month, and Highway 130 around mid-October. *** These dates are estimate each day, based on flow activity and are updated by USGS. ***    From there it is only 4-5 miles to the ocean.



 "The Island of Puna" - home of the Punatics

The black X indicates the area of flow for the past 30 years down through Royal Gardens and Kalapana to the ocean; it is now many miles wide and impassible.  The BLUE lines indicates an old railroad path (not even a real road) and a beach road that is barely passable for most cars.  The county is going to open these temporarily for general traffic.  But the reality is there is nothing to stop the lava flow RED lines as it heads towards downhill to the ocean.  Very soon even those temporary roads will not be accessible.

The GREEN circle represents thousands of people who may will be living on The Island of Puna. (PS: One blog reader had an estimate of 8500 -- but we all know there's probably even MORE.)

Lava Heading toward Pahoa Village

This blog entry will be very short because we are very busy right now preparing for the coming two weeks.  While lava is no longer flowing directly at our subdivision, it is headed directly toward Pahoa Village, just a couple miles away.  This includes post office, banks, gas stations, markets, bookstore, eateries -- and our charming wooden sidewalks!  People are scrambling. The next piece of the puzzle is watching the lava flow across highway 130 -- our access to Hilo, Kona and the rest of the island.  People who live south of the flow, and work in Hilo are all scrambling to relocate fast. We are provisioned with food and water and supplies for 5-6 weeks.  Power outages can be handled for the time being with our generator.  There's more, but we have have work to do and will send details with an email to you in a couple days.