Posts: 1,120
Threads: 57
Joined: Mar 2013
"They are not being shy about sharing their lava river videos with the world."
OK, thanks SBH. I think I have seen more than one lava river video from Epic Lava Tours.
Meaning they have been going to the lava river repeatedly.
Perhaps Epic Lava Tours made a contribution to the CD fund. So when CD officials were taking the contribution they momentarily didn't notice a certain group going down to the lava river.
- - - -
Here, once again, is footage of the lava river. It has some very peaceful background music--matches the sedate flow of the river. Nice to run on a big screen TV (if you have the technology).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQAxaQVpxtY
Posts: 1,513
Threads: 18
Joined: Oct 2014
Now that the vacation rentals are opened back up in the Kalapana-Kehena area, what do we tell tourists? I'm assuming it's up to me to make sure they know not to go exploring around anywhere or face some serious fines.
Is there information online about the exact areas to avoid, because even I don't know? Anyone know, I need a concise way to explain this to tourists. Thanks!
Posts: 2,905
Threads: 490
Joined: Mar 2006
We got as far as Opihikao Church and then hit a road block. Seaview has a pretty good view of the ocean entry plume from the south looking northward. Kehena Beach was packed. Going across the steal plates and steam on Hwy 130 was a little creepy. And the entrance to Leilani from 130 had a strong military presence if anyone might think of sneaking in!
Posts: 3,217
Threads: 103
Joined: May 2009
Eileen O'Hara pressing for lava viewing via bus shuttle (which makes a lot of sense - mobile for flexible site selection or evac, air conditioning/filtering, mandated stops in Pahoa for businesses, etc). Got back nonsense from Mayor's Office (R&D) on considered sites being inundated, as well as the fact that Mayor Kim passed on such an idea as USGS said that only one bus per hour should be allowed in. But they are still working on it (after they solve issues for residents like housing)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fl5de2v81WQ
Posts: 1,120
Threads: 57
Joined: Mar 2013
Based on various sources and things said and things not said, it seems the County is pulling back on the lava viewing site plan. Spokesperson in the link ironyak provided (reposted below) said 6 potential sites have been evaluated. She cited a wide assortment of safety concerns.
Logically, perhaps, the County might not announce a negative decision and just state, if asked, that the viewing plan is under continuing discussion.
One of a more promising sites--from a layman's perspective, at least--is shown in the link @ 10 seconds (with 15-plus approved viewers).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fl5de2v81WQ
I've seen it before and wondered about its location. Appears to be due north of Green Mountain.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/141970887@...otostream/
Notably this site is significantly
above the river level. (Of course there is the small fire/outbreak in the foreground.)
If the eruption/river continues for a while and the ocean entry energy is focused further south and the lava in the foreground hardens, maybe....
Posts: 14,138
Threads: 424
Joined: Aug 2012
cited a wide assortment of safety concerns
Unsafe like an unpermitted house, or unsafe like an unpaved road?
Posts: 11,230
Threads: 764
Joined: Sep 2012
unpermitted house, or ...unpaved road?
Or possibly unsafe because there are only three or four patrol officers on duty at a time in Puna District. They may find their resources stretched thin should a sudden lava viewing emergency occur, in addition to handling regular duties such as citing the driver of a ‘91 Corolla for lack of a safety inpection and insurance card.
"I'm at that stage in life where I stay out of discussions. Even if you say 1+1=5, you're right - have fun." - Keanu Reeves
Posts: 3,217
Threads: 103
Joined: May 2009
Eileen Ohara has already suggested the proper solution - use bus shuttles to see the lava. Can modify the location based on conditions, provides climate control for SO2 issues, can keep track of all the visitors, and can require some time in Pahoa to eat & shop (also can hand out choice contracts to the good ole boy network - which is how things get done).
Disapointingly, Mayor Kim said that he already turned down such a plan as being too inconvenient as USGS suggested to only allow in one bus per hour to help limit possible SO2 exposure. He also said that housing issues for residents comes first (so once they solve that in a couple decades, the lava viewing will be top priority).
Within two days of the 1960 flow starting with high fountaining fissures, lava viewing was established and 5000 people a day came. But we know better now?
http://vhca.info/1959.htm
Posts: 14,138
Threads: 424
Joined: Aug 2012
USGS suggested to only allow in one bus per hour to help limit possible SO2 exposure
That kind of scarcity would only drive up the price of admission...
Posts: 11,230
Threads: 764
Joined: Sep 2012
one bus per hour to help limit possible SO2 exposure
Wouldn’t it be the length of time each bus stayed at the viewing site that would limit SO2 exposure to its occupants, not the number of buses? And if USGS has determined that one hour is the maximum safe exposure time, couldn’t 5 or 10 buses park at a time, each bus for a maximum of an hour?
A bird flies home across the sky. It appears to be tired, it had a difficult day. It returns from the hunt, it was hunted. - Laszlo Krasznahorkai
"I'm at that stage in life where I stay out of discussions. Even if you say 1+1=5, you're right - have fun." - Keanu Reeves
