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While on island the last few weeks house sitting this article was in our local newspaper. I'm computer challenged so links need to be copied and pasted into your browser, sorry about that![:I]
Thought those of you interested in viewing lava from the sea might enjoy it
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Experience lava up close and personal at sea. by David Thompson
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cg...12AJUU.DTL&hw=lava&sn=001&sc=1000
Also same paper, I'm just catching up with has a good article on climbing Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa volcanos. "Over the Volcano" by James Dannenberg
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cg...MUGBRB.DTL&hw=over+the+volcano&sn=002&sc=960
mella l
<iframe src="http://pol.moveon.org/palinclock/" frameborder="0" height ="280" width="170"></iframe>
"Resolve to be tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving, and tolerant with the weak and wrong....because sometime in your life you will have been all of these."
mella l
Art and Science
bytheSEA
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Interesting article. It shows how prophetic Darwin was concerning the survival of our species. "Captain" Shane Turpin seems especially foolhardy in his attempts to demonstrate his lava "expertise".
Actually floating through the falling acid rain and fumes is nothing short of idiotic. If he doesn't understand what it could do to his client's lungs, he should be concerned about how it effects his engines.
Anyone who's been to the viewing site has seen the lavacat edge to within a few yards of the exploding lava. All it would take is one extra large steam explosion or a small bench collapse to ruin his day.
Fiberglass boats burn very readily; the good news is the fire will extinguish itself when it reaches the waterline.
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While I am a firm believer in letting Darwinism take it course. I would think the USGC would have something to say about his captains license in this situation. Tourist would likely not be aware of the danger. Glad I am not his insurance agent.[V]
dick wilson
dick wilson
"Nothing is idiot proof,because idiots are so ingenious!"
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Quote: (from the linked article)
"He's just 29 years old, but Capt. Shane may very well be the most experienced lava boat tour guide in the world. He's a second-generation lava man, son of a guy actually called "Bud the Lava Man," a maverick fisherman and scuba diver who was known for creating lava sculptures from slow-moving underwater flows."
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This is just bunk, but people (especially visitors) tend to believe stuff the local "legends" spout. I think "Captain" Shane suffers from the infamous "Crocodile Hunter" syndrome. He would like nothing better than to appear the fearless, outdoor, adventurer. He must get it from his dad "Bud the lava man". (Has anyone out there actually heard of him?)
I gave Shane the benefit of the doubt in earlier threads about launching his large boat at Pohoiki, but the linked story, his method of operation, and his exagerated claims of experience are just over the top. He's going to hurt someone.
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Quote: (from the linked article)
"Capt. Shane has been visiting the lava by sea since he was 3, and he's been diving on it since he was a teen. He's as comfortable with 2,100-degree liquid rock as anyone. At one point on our tour, he hauled a superheated, floating lava rock out of the water, cracked it open and pulled toffee-like strands from the molten core. He looked like a fisherman landing and gutting an ahi."
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Idiot!
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i've been out there more times than i can count, with captain shane"s dad, although i've been out with him also, it is an awesome experience and wouldn't trust anyone else other than the turpins, everyone he takes out loves it, the window thing has been resolved, so, if you haven't done it, check out the new Maui travel planner magazine article, and go for it! (no the earth is not flat and you won't fall in)just kidding, i know there are people who don't like adventure and respect that, for them the lava viewing site(i've been there also)is great enough
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Hey I'd like to try it also, sorry to cause any discomfort. The author seemed to enjoy the tour.
Did anyone read the volcano hikes. That sounds like an awesome experience also. I would love to see the crest of Mauna Loa, but seems the clouds are ever present.
mella l
<iframe src="http://pol.moveon.org/palinclock/" frameborder="0" height ="280" width="170"></iframe>
"Resolve to be tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving, and tolerant with the weak and wrong....because sometime in your life you will have been all of these."
mella l
Art and Science
bytheSEA
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i too went on one of shane's lava tours last month. yes, we went right to the plume and saw lava splatters. it was not acidic as i expected. it was like water vapor. no irritated eyes or coughing episodes.
it was a lovely morning excursion. my only criticism was i couldn't quite hear/understand the woman doing the narrating most of the time. but maybe that could just have been me.
it was a special experience seeing the coastline with the open lava tubes and new black sand beach. also some flying fish kept us company. the larger boat gave a better ride in the rough seas and was shaded. shane has kama'aina rates. feel free to make him an offer. the boat departs from pohiki
i've seen shane's dad doing his lava diving adventure on the internet. gotta love people who are not afraid of testing the limits.
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I just have to say that we went with Capt. Shane on the big boat a couple of weeks ago, knowing that it could be a dangerous ride, but came back in complete and total awe of Madam Pele. It was the most thrilling 3 hours of my life and I'm so glad I was able to take some video that I will treasure for years to come.
I can't imagine anyone having any other reaction to this trip, unless you were one of the two-out-of-fourteen who were seasick[
] He did launch the big boat, loaded with all passengers on board, right from Pohoiki and then pulled the boat right out of the water after the trip, still with passengers aboard, which made it very easy.
So if you care to take a chance for the thrill of a lifetime, give it a shot. I know we will go again if we have a chance.
PunaPaula
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quote:
Originally posted by mella
Did anyone read the volcano hikes. That sounds like an awesome experience also. I would love to see the crest of Mauna Loa, but seems the clouds are ever present.
I've done a Mauna Loa hike twice (the short one from MLO). It's great. It's often not cloudy at the top, although you may have to go through the clouds to get there:
http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/cam2/ and
http://www.mlo.noaa.gov/Live/mlocam/northcam.jpg
Pua`a
S. FL
Big Islander to be.
Pua`a
S. FL
Big Islander to be.
