Kilauea

A helicopter pilot flying over Kilauea recently found something unusual. There was water in the main crater, and that discovery has sparked a lot of questions.

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This Friday makes a year since Kīlauea erupted, sending lava into residential communities on Hawaiʻi Island. The event displaced about 2,000 people and claimed more than 700 homes in the Puna area of the Big Island. Many of the residents are still recovering. Among them are the scientists who monitor the volcano that could rumble to life at any time.

It's been nearly a year since Kīlauea erupted on the Big Island's lower East Rift Zone. The event destroyed more than 700 structures and displaced hundreds, if not thousands, of residents. Scientists are still studying the eruption, but they think they know what did, and didn't, cause it.

The United States Geological Survey recently released its “Volcanic Threat Assessment.” That’s an indicator of the potential severity of impacts that could result from future eruptions at various volcanoes. Hawai'i Island’s Kīlauea Volcano was number one on the list – with the greatest potential impact. But that does not mean a new eruption is imminent, even though the volcano erupted continuously from 1983 until early August of this year.

Despite some glowing heat from fissure 8, the Kīlauea lava flow has slowed down, at least for the time being.  But the destruction and displacement from the flow into lower Puna which began May 3rd is still being addressed by county, state and federal agencies.  We get an update on the federal response from HPR Contributing Reporter Sherry Bracken.



Hawaiʻi students and teachers will be heading back to school in less than two weeks. And this Big Island charter school has quite a lot to do before opening its doors for the coming school year.  The school lost its campus to the ongoing lava flow in Puna. HPR’s Kuʻuwehi Hiraishi has this story.

A total of 24 fissures have appeared since May 3rd in Leilani Estates. The eruption has destroyed more than 650 homes, and lava has covered more than 6,000 acres of land. 

Today’s program is a discussion of the impacts of the ongoing volcanic eruption on Hawaii Island. Catherine Cruz is off this week and I’m joined in the studio by Conversation producer Ryan Finnerty. Joining us by phone on today’s program are Will Okabe, Managing Director for the County of Hawai’i, and Jessica Ferracane of the National Park Service on the Big Island.

Now that Kilauea Volcano has destroyed hundreds of homes in Puna, some are asking how people were able to purchase and insure homes in such a known high-risk area.

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In 1834, just fourteen years after missionaries first arrived in Hawai’i, an estimated 90-95% of Hawaiians could read.  Over a hundred Hawaiian language newspapers all through the Kindgom documented legends, place names, current events and everyday trials and tribulations, including volcanic eruptions, earthquakes and lava flows.  HPR’s Noe Tanigawa reports.

With lava from Fissure 8 pouring into Kapoho Bay, the current eruptive phase at Kilauea is pressing into its fifth week, and its effects are taking a toll.  Hawai’i County is looking at $3-6 million dollars in volcano related expenses so far and the Island of Hawaii Visitors Bureau estimates a $5 million dollar loss through visitor cancellations.  HPR’s Noe Tanigawa reports residents are holding firm.

Hawaiʻi County’s Fire Department is one of the key first responder organizations working overtime in lower Puna. No firefighters have been injured, but dangers linger as crews work to deal with the impact of continuing lava flows in the lower East Rift Zone. HPR contributing reporter Sherry Bracken talked with the Fire Chief about the risks.

Kumu Hula Kekuhi Kealiʻikanakaʻole was raised in Hawaiian culture on Hawaiʻi island.  Her grandmother, educator Edith Kanakaʻole, was revered for her knowledge of hula and chant, and rigorous practice of those arts continues through Halau o Kekuhi, the family hula school.  HPR’s Noe Tanigawa reports Kealiʻikanakaʻole’s view of the current eruption is firmly rooted in a connection with the lava, active continually underground.   

The Big Island's electric utility, Hawaii Electric Light Company, has been working around the clock to react to the on going Kilauea eruption. Utility crews were recently pulled out of Leilani Estates due to unsafe levels of sulfur dioxide. Additionally, the loss of capacity from the Puna Geothermal Venture has reduced to overall supply of electricity on the island.

Since May 3, Hawaiʻi’s Kīlauea volcano destroyed more than 35 structures, 26 of which were homes, and displaced an estimated 2,000 residents.  HPR Reporter Kuʻuwehi Hiraishi has been on the ground in Puna talking to local residents about their experience.

Kekuhi Kealiʻikanakaʻole is the Coordinator for the Center for Hawai’i Life Styles, UH Hilo. She’s an award winning singer, and a kumu hula, the eighth generation with Halau o Kekuhi, which bases its style of hula on the forces of Pele and her sister, Hiʻiaka.  HPR’s Noe Tanigawa reports, Kealiʻikanakaʻole offers a different perspective on the current Kilauea eruption.

Earlier today, Governor David Ige, through the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority, reassured the world that "travel is safe to the Hawaiian Island." Ige emphasized that the volcanic activity is having no effect on other islands.

But even though Kīlauea's latest eruptive phase is mainly affecting the Puna area, there have been a rash of island-wise cancellations for June and July because tourists mistakenly think the entire state is a disaster area. Some cruise ships are avoiding Hilo and even Kona as a port of call.

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Hawai'i County personnel are being stretched thin by the demands of the current lava eruption. Hawai'i County Police Department has 450 sworn officers. Those serving in the Puna district are working overtime to handle the demands of both the lava flow and regular duties. HPR contributing reporter Sherry Bracken talked with the police chief to find out how they are coping.

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