Time to consider lava viewing? Boost tourism?

[MarkD]

I posted this on another website and got much vitriol about insensitively to the Leilani displaced. Appreciate the point, but the loss of tourism is now having widespread effects to East Hawaii: jobs losses, County cost overruns, etc.

If the Leilani fountains continue for any length of time (weeks), we ought to consider this.

Pre-eruption thousands of tourists at Jaggar Museum were ooohing and aaahing at fountaining that was a small fraction of what is visible now. I was up at Jaggar on one of the better days, it was predestrian compared to the Leilani's striking fountaining.

Tightly controlled bus tours could be set up. Sanctioned by the County. 50% of revenues go to the County.

A viewing site could be set up 2 - 2 1/2 miles out, east of Nanawale. Exact site could be hashed out. Looking at a map brings up possibilities.

Access should be separate from Nanawale subdivision to avoid congestion. Is that possible? Maybe off Railroad avenue. Any dirt roads in area that would allow access?

Perhaps several sites. Perhaps one closer for tourists willing to pay more. Much more. Price range: $40 - $200 for half hour viewing.

HVNP had 5,000 visitors a day. Tourists would flock to the island to see fountaining, even from some distance. Especially at night.

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Edited to add: The term here could be disaster tourism. There is philosophical debate on the topic.

https://ethicaltraveler.org/2018/01/is-p...m-ethical/

But there is a distinction. Much disaster tourism occurs with the intent to view damaged houses, ruined neighborhoods.

Not the objective here. The objective is a spectacle of nature.

http://www.foxnews.com/travel/2017/09/02...ption.html

[Kapoho Joe]

I think the Icelandic distinction is that people here have lost homes or are faced with the possibility of losing their home. I think the term would be 'tragedy tourism' rather than disaster tourism.

[HereOnThePrimalEdge]

A viewing site could be set up

Does anyone know how long it initially took the County to set up the viewing area at Kalapana; road grading, cinder, parking area, security? If something similar was constructed to view the lava fountains, do you think they would still be there by the time a tourist viewing site was completed?

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

[My 2 cents]

"The term here could be disaster tourism."

This is definitely just an opinion, but I think in today's world the term "disaster" requires a price tag. If a quake, flood, lava flow, etc., happens in a remote area where there is no loss to human wellbeing or activity, it is generally not considered a disaster. Therefore, if the object of the tour is to view the damage done by nature, then the term "disaster tourism" would be appropriate. However, if the object is simply to view Mother Nature in her extreme glory then I believe a more appropriate term could be found. Again, jmo.

[terracore]

quote:

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Originally posted by HereOnThePrimalEdge

A viewing site could be set up

Does anyone know how long it initially took the County to set up the viewing area at Kalapana; road grading, cinder, parking area, security? If something similar was constructed to view the lava fountains, do you think they would still be there by the time a tourist viewing site was completed?

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They setup a viewing platform for the 1969-1974 eruption:

https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kil...a_ulu.html

[Justin]

To me this could be a win-win. Charge fees, and have something set up for donations for those displaced or homeless. After seeing the destruction, I have to think the donations would be substantial.

[HereOnThePrimalEdge]

Hypothetical question:

As access to lower Puna becomes more restricted on the roads that are remaining, with 25 MPH metal covers over cracks in Hwy 130, Red Road covered in lava, unfinished shoulders on Government Beach Road, Chain of Craters possibly graded as a basic 1 way emergency exit, etc, etc - - what would people say if the County diverted some of that manpower and road building equipment to construct another new road for a tourist Lava Viewing area, and parking lot?

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

[Justin]

Take the manpower that is handing out parking tickets in Leilani...

[kalakoa]

what would people say if the County diverted some of that manpower and road building equipment to construct another new road for a tourist Lava Viewing area, and parking lot?

Good quesion. Perhaps we should commission a study.

[MarkD]

"what would people say if the County diverted some of that manpower and road building equipment to construct another new road for a tourist Lava Viewing area?"

Agree it would be inappropriate.

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.

It is hard to find a stand-off distance that allows lava viewing. Such as a feature like Green Mountain, but taller. Or a steep slope like we have in North Kona.

I've been to a Volcano property 3 times in the past week near the crater. Because of heavy tree cover, I wasn't able to discern the ash cloud.

Apparently boat tours and helicopters (and TV) will be the only way to view lava for the foreseeable future.