Residents voice frustrations at meeting as Hawaii volcano continues to wreak havoc

[thackney]

Residents voice frustrations at meeting as Hawaii volcano continues to wreak havoc
http://www.foxnews.com/us/2018/05/08/residents-voice-frustrations-at-meeting-as-hawaii-volcano-continues-to-wreak-havoc.html

More than 100 frustrated residents packed into Pahoa High School's cafeteria Monday night, demanding county, state and federal officials be straight with them on the danger still developing as Hawaii’s most active volcano continues its path of destruction.

“Don’t tell us to sit in a shelter,” one angry resident said. “Tell us what is going on. Rumors and fear are spreading. What is going on? Someone tell us something.”

There has been a growing sense of confusion from some residents in the area. They say they haven’t been given details on what actions are being taken to protect their homes and what dangers remain.

The meeting comes as two new cracks in the ground were confirmed in the community. Twelve fissures have been reported in Leilani Estates, near the town of Pahoa.

Two new cracks in the ground emitting lava and gas have opened up in a Hawaii community where 35 structures have burned down. Official says there are 12 fissures in Leilani Estates....

[thackney]

http://www.khon2.com/news/local-news/test/1165985690

...Residents watched as Hawaii County Mayor Harry Kim offered one plea for residents in the vicinity of the lava flow who still have not left: please evacuate.

"Every decision we make is to keep you safe as we go through this terrible time. We commit that to you," Kim said.

Officials, including Gov. David Ige, warned the community to stay on their toes and be prepared to evacuate at a moment's notice.

"It is a new situation because of the dangerous gasses, and working through what would be required for us to keep our first responders safe and to keep our community safe," Ige said. "It certainly has been challenging. I know we have those assets in place now. As you know, we activated a National Guard ground crew that is experienced in dealing with hazardous materials. They've been on the ground dealing with the testing."...

[Restored]

It's hot lava coming towards you, not a new road. You can't lie down in front of it and stop it. You can't do anything and stop it. It's coming. All you can do is get out of the way. The only question you should be asking is "Would you get out of my way so I can get out of here?".

[GtHawk]

So they want to now what's going on? Pele has had it with the infestation of people and is simply clearing them away.

[ABX]

Its a friggin volcano. What do they expect?

[Gefn]

Its a friggin volcano. What do they expect?

I had nightmares for days when I read about Pompeii.

[Sanguine]

Its a friggin volcano. What do they expect?

Exactly!

[dfwgator]

I had nightmares for days when I read about Pompeii.

The thing is,  the folks in Pompeii didn't know it was a volcano.

[Fishrrman]

From the article:
“Don’t tell us to sit in a shelter,” one angry resident said. “Tell us what is going on. Rumors and fear are spreading. What is going on? Someone tell us something.”

Well, heck.
It's a volcano, and it's erupting.
No one knows just how much of the island is going to be consumed by the eruption.
You know as much as anyone else does, including "the experts", by just looking at the results.

What is going on?
Answer: A demonstration that people should not build homes too close to a known active volcano.
THAT'S what's "going on".

Perhaps you should sit down and watch this:

[Cyber Liberty]

I had nightmares for days when I read about Pompeii.

I did too.  And that was before I learned about that other city.

[Gefn]

I did too.  And that was before I learned about that other city.

Herculaneum

[Suppressed]

Its a friggin volcano. What do they expect?

As a geologist, I've had to explain to people why their house went into a sinkhole, or was flooded out, etc.... in places any geologist worth his salt wouldn't build.  So I'm very sensitive to people not really understanding what they're getting into...perhaps too sensitive to it.  So I have sympathy for people having questions. 

Part of the issue in cases like this isn't the technical side itself, but the questions about response.  For example, these people are probably feeling like they aren't getting the latest information from authorities and experts.  While the experts don't have all the answers, sometimes there are things that could be passed on.   And sometimes the authorities have more understanding than they share with the residents.

But dang...building on the leading-edge of the fore island of a hot-spot archipelago, you don't get much crazier than that! 

[mountaineer]

Its a friggin volcano. What do they expect?

They apparently expect to have some say in what it does. 

[Cyber Liberty]

But dang...building on the leading-edge of the fore island of a hot-spot archipelago, you don't get much crazier than that!

I've been on the Big Island, specifically where this is.  I've walked on the crust of the new (year old) Pāhoehoe lava.  (It reminded me of back in Michigan, walking on thick crusty snow.)  The other day I looked up this Leilani Estates on a map.  The homeowners are absolute fools for buying there, and the developer should be taken out and shot.

[Suppressed]

I've been on the Big Island, specifically where this is.  I've walked on the crust of the new (year old) Pāhoehoe lava.  (It reminded me of back in Michigan, walking on thick crusty snow.)  The other day I looked up this Leilani Estates on a map.  The homeowners are absolute fools for buying there, and the developer should be taken out and shot.

Well, I'm glad you didn't get confused by my terminology.  I know it's actually the trailing edge!

[Cyber Liberty]

Well, I'm glad you didn't get confused by my terminology.  I know it's actually the trailing edge!

As a homeowner, doesn't really matter which edge.  It's the "edge" word that's important...lol.  I am not a Geologist.

[cato potatoe]

I can't believe anybody built a house on top of a rift zone belonging to one of the world's most active volcanoes.  It was guaranteed to end badly.

[Hoodat]

The other day I looked up this Leilani Estates on a map.  The homeowners are absolute fools for buying there, and the developer should be taken out and shot.

As should the insurance agent that sold them a homeowners policy.

[thackney]

I can't believe anybody built a house on top of a rift zone belonging to one of the world's most active volcanoes.  It was guaranteed to end badly.

Surrounded by significant past lava flows on nearly all sides.



https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/multimedia_maps.html

[mountaineer]

I can't believe anybody built a house on top of a rift zone belonging to one of the world's most active volcanoes.  It was guaranteed to end badly.

Reminds me of the people who have built right on the banks of rivers, and then wonder how it happens that so-called "100 year floods" happen more than once per 100 years.

[Hoodat]

Here's a link for a video showing a car being taken out by a lava flow:

https://weather.com/news/weather/video/time-lapse-video-shows-kilauea-lava-destroying-parked-car-in-hawaii

[skeeter]

I've been on the Big Island, specifically where this is.  I've walked on the crust of the new (year old) Pāhoehoe lava.  (It reminded me of back in Michigan, walking on thick crusty snow.)  The other day I looked up this Leilani Estates on a map.  The homeowners are absolute fools for buying there, and the developer should be taken out and shot.

In todays litigious climate I'm amazed that they let anyone out on that stuff. Its as sharp as broken glass in places. You can walk right up to fissures that are still glowing down inside.

With a little common sense I'm sure its totally safe but not all tourists have an adequate supply of that.

[thackney]

In todays litigious climate I'm amazed that they let anyone out on that stuff. Its as sharp as broken glass in places. You can walk right up to fissures that are still glowing down inside.

With a little common sense I'm sure its totally safe but not all tourists have an adequate supply of that.

Reminds me of walking on glaciers in Alaska.  Then later reading about the bodies of people that fall through a thin layer and never recovered...

So I did that, once.  And I wouldn't let my kids go on them afterwards.

[Right_in_Virginia]

Here's a link for a video showing a car being taken out by a lava flow:

https://weather.com/news/weather/video/time-lapse-video-shows-kilauea-lava-destroying-parked-car-in-hawaii

! No longer available




https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FpF_1NqmCC8

[Restored]

Maybe they should sue the volcano or get it evicted using zoning laws.