Effects on the island's economy

[TomK]

"On the other hand, this event will also draw tourists. Heard from one of them myself today, planning on getting here soon."

One tourist. Any more?

[randomq]

quote:

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Originally posted by TomK

One tourist. Any more?

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Reminds me of the time I went to Mexico during the swine flu outbreak. Most tourists had cancelled their travel plans and there was only one other couple at our hotel. At dinner we had 3 servers hovering around our table watching us eat, and in the market we had to bear the full force of dozens of aggressive salespeople with no one else to sell to.

I feel like Hawaii would be much more relaxed in such a situation.

We need a "lava viewing area". Surely there is a hill with a view somewhere near the fountains.

[kalakoa]

Hurt agriculture in Ka’u and there is very little left

Good thing the people of Ka'u "protected" their ag lands from "development"!

[Chas]

quote:

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Originally posted by TomK

One tourist. Any more?

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Add us for two more!

[MarkD]

"We need a "lava viewing area". Surely there is a hill with a view somewhere near the fountains."

Or an observation tower?

https://www.google.com/search?q=observation+tower&client=safari&rls=en&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjwlYi2zbDbAhXBKH0KHYAbAVYQ_AUICygC&biw=1440&bih=746

But spending $ on something like this in the current crisis would have to be private-funding.

A big limiting factor to lava viewing in the entire Puna - Volcano - Hilo area is the nature of our terrain: It is mostly very gradually sloped with heavy tree cover. It's why most most people do not have ocean views. And can't see either of our 2 mountains. Very hard in Puna to find a stand-off distance that allows lava viewing. Such as a feature like Green Mountain, but taller. Or the pali coming down Chain of Craters.

[randomq]

Those are pretty neat, MarkD. I think it'd be a good investment, and fun to get a bird's eye view of Puna, even without the lava flowing. Probably useful for CD and the fire department as well, with cameras permanently mounted. Also cell service, public safety radio, wireless Internet...