Posts: 10,212
Threads: 344
Joined: Apr 2009
This is an interesting article on the Guardian's website about the economic impacts we may be suffering due to the current eruption. I can't vouch for its accuracy, especially when it says:
" If tourism falters much longer, Collier reasoned, there’s still plenty of work in the astronomy industry located on this 13,000-foot-high dormant volcano. Mauna Kea – the largest peak in the world when measured from its base on the seabed – is a mecca for astrologists, as well as tourists."
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018...to-tourism
Posts: 1,120
Threads: 57
Joined: Mar 2013
"there’s still plenty of work in the astronomy industry located on this 13,000-foot-high dormant volcano."
It does seem like quite the overstatement, even granting the approval of TMT (pending) and the presumed construction work that would be required. Would a lot of this work be contracted out to workers from the mainland as opposed to local construction people?
Setting aside TMT construction work, are there approximate numbers for 1) new hires for TMT 2) same for other observatories in coming years?
- - - -
Looking the second photo in link, nearby residents viewing the lava, I bet tourists would flock to the island for the opportunity to see fountaining from such a close distance, especially at night.
If the fountaining continues for weeks and stabilizes in intensity, conceivably one could arrange tightly controlled bus tours on days (and nights) when strong tradewinds minimize the fume risk. HVNP had 5,000 visitors a day.
Pre-eruption thousands of people at Jaggar Museum were ooohing and aaahing at fountaining that was a tiny fraction of what is visible now.
How many people would seek the Leilani lava experience? This display of nature is the real deal. 20 minute viewing time per person. $150 per head.
(Sanctioned by the County. 50% of revenues go to the County.)
Posts: 11,014
Threads: 750
Joined: Sep 2012
a mecca for astrologists
If the writer ever visits the islands TomK, I trust you'll offer to let him/her look through one of the horoscopes on Mauna Kea.
Portion of Hawaii’s drinking water that comes from underground wells : 9/10
Gallons of raw sewage that leak into the ground from Hawaii cesspools each day : 53,000,000 - Harper's Index
"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: 10,212
Threads: 344
Joined: Apr 2009
"If the writer ever visits the islands TomK, I trust you'll offer to let him/her look through one of the horoscopes on Mauna Kea."
If you don't mind, HOTPE, I am going to quote that in some future talk I give!
Posts: 2,151
Threads: 73
Joined: Mar 2007
HOTPE, that was priceless!
Posts: 367
Threads: 40
Joined: Mar 2017
we just need to cater to the Australian crowd more! even with an active volcano, due to the general lack of stinging, biting, poisonous, and overall dangerous creatures that Hawai'i has in comparison to that deadly continent, Australians generally find our volcanic activity to be charming due to their geographic background.
Aloha 
Aloha
Posts: 10,212
Threads: 344
Joined: Apr 2009
"we just need to cater to the Australian crowd more! even with an active volcano, due to the general lack of stinging, biting, poisonous, and overall dangerous creatures that Hawai'i has in comparison to that deadly continent, Australians generally find our volcanic activity to be charming due to their geographic background."
Huh?
Posts: 367
Threads: 40
Joined: Mar 2017
Australia is a place of many natural dangers. Moreso than the rest of the world, I would reckon. Hawai'i lacks a lot of those dangers, but has one that Australia doesn't. Australians, from what I've seen of the tourists here, are an adventurous lot. They aren't afraid of the volcano at all, and in fact, are fascinated with it.
Aloha
Aloha
Posts: 10,212
Threads: 344
Joined: Apr 2009
I've spent a lot of time in Australia and know many Australians. They seem to be very happy there and Sydney is, without doubt, my favorite city. I suspect if you run an advertising campaign telling them to get away from scary creatures and come and see lava instead they will see it as patronizing and insulting. Of course, people from Australia find the current activity fascinating, so do people from the rest of the world. And all this because you "reckon".
Posts: 3,202
Threads: 108
Joined: Jun 2010
They are just afraid to talk about it TomK. The fear is real. That's why so many young Australians take a gap year to travel the world, they are trying to escape the dangerous creatures.
I do think "adventure tours" of the eruption could bring in a lot of desperately needed tourism dollars. Certainly more interesting than staring at a distant plume of smoke from halema'uma'u. Some of the profits should go to the landowners whose lots have become the main attraction, so they can afford to rebuild elsewhere.
|
