Kaʻū News Briefs June 3, 2024

Fire along the fissure during the eruption on Monday on the Southwest Rift Zone. USGS photo

VOG MAY COME ACROSS KAʻŪ DURING THIS TIME OF ELEVATED VOLCANIC EMISSIONS, cautions state Department of Health. During the eruption that began Monday after midnight on the Southwest Rift Zone, makai of Hwy 11 between Pāhala and Volcano, the volume of SO2 reached 15,000 tonnes but dropped to 10,000 by noon. A period of pause in the eruption began at about 12:30 p.m.

Hawaiian Volcano Observatory took this photo this morning showing the milky way
 and the eruption that started after midnight in the Ka'u Desert between Pahala and
 Volcano. The glow of new eruption south of Kīlauea summit caldera and the Milky
Way were captured using a prolonged exposure time. USGS image by D.A. Phillips

    DOH notes that even with the pause, "activity in this region remains dynamic and could change quickly. While the lava flow has ceased, areas of elevated volcanic gas emissions continue. Currently, air quality safety levels are slightly elevated at the Pahala and Nāʻālehu air quality monitoring stations.
   "As gas emissions from Kīlauea on Hawai'i Island continues and southerly winds occasionally prevail, vog conditions (hazy air pollution caused by volcanic emissions) and the presence of sulfur dioxide (SO2) in the air may increase and fluctuate. With continuing volcanic gas emissions, particulates in the air and levels of SO2 may increase and fluctuate in various localized areas on Hawai'i Island, causing poor air quality."
    DOH advises residents and visitors to access Hawaiʻi Ambient Air Quality Data on the Clean Air Branch website at https://health.hawaii.gov/cab/hawaii-ambient-air-quality-data/ and the Hawaiʻi Interagency Vog Information Dashboard at www.ivhhn.org/vog/ for the most comprehensive and up-to-date online information on vog and SO2 from volcanic activity in Hawaiʻi.
    DOH also advises Hawai'i residents and visitors to be mindful of the surrounding conditions, and how they may react to vog in the air. In the event of voggy conditions, take the following precautionary measures:

Eruption glow photo courtesy of Yvonne Baur/Hawaiʻi Pacific Parks Association, taken from Uēkahuna around 3 a.m. Monday.

    Reduce outdoor activities that cause heavy breathing. Avoiding outdoor activity and exercise during vog conditions can reduce exposure and minimize health risks. This is especially important for sensitive groups, such as children, the elderly, and individuals with pre-existing respiratory conditions including asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, and chronic lung and heart disease.
    People with asthma or a chronic respiratory disease should always have medications available. Daily prescribed medications should be taken on schedule.
    People experiencing health effects should contact their medical provider as soon as possible if they develop symptoms, as respiratory conditions might worsen rapidly in heavy SO2 or vog conditions.
    Stay indoors and close windows and doors. When using an air conditioner, set it to recirculate. If you are in a car, set the air conditioner to recirculate.
    Face masks (surgical, cloth, KF94, KN95, N95) do not provide protection from SO2 or vog. However, they can be effective in outdoor environments in reducing inhaled hazardous particulates associated with falling ash and Pele's hair.
    Do not smoke and avoid second-hand smoke.
    Drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration.
    Have family emergency plans prepared and ready.

 Heed warnings by county and state emergency management officials.
    Vog and air quality updates are available through the: Hawaiʻi Interagency Vog Information Dashboard
DOH Clean Air Branch and U.S. Geological Survey Kilauea Volcano Updates

    New eruption plume from a fissure makai of Hwy 11 between Pāhala and Volcano was captured at dawn Monday morning

 from Honu'apo. The plume at left, rising from land and drifting left, contained the most S02 at the beginning of the eruption.

Photo by Bob Martin

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AFTER THE ERUPTION BEGAN IN A REMOTE AREA OF HAWAI'I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK, THE PARK ISSUED THE FOLLOWING:
    Due to the remote and unpredictable nature of the fissure eruption, the following temporary closures are in place for everyone's safety:

    Hilina Pali Road from Chain of Craters Road intersection
    Kulanaokuaiki Campground
    Pepeiao Cabin
    Kaʻaha Trail and campground
    Kaʻū Desert Trail and pullout on Highway 11
    Maunaiki Trail
    The fissure eruption site in a remote area about 2.5 miles (4 km) southwest of Kīlauea caldera and is not

USGS map showing location of Monday's eruption near Maunaiki,
the first eruption in that area since 1974 when it lasted six hours.

accessible. Park rangers and scientists with the U.S. Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory continue to assess eruption conditions. No safe lava-viewing locations were established
    However, a beautiful red-orange lava glow was visible in the sky before dawn from overlooks along Crater Rim Trail including Uēkahuna and Volcano House. Early risers witnessed the glowing evidence of Pele, the elemental force of Hawaiian volcanoes, return for the first time since September 2023. After daybreak, a wispy distant gas plume became visible from Uēkahuna and other summit overlooks.
    The park expects an influx of visitors hoping to see the latest volcanic activity, which can change at anytime. Everyone is urged to stay safe and be respectful of the sacredness of Kīlauea by doing the following:
    Volcanic eruptions are hazardous. Stay on marked trails and overlooks, and do not enter closed areas.          Avoid cliff edges and earth cracks which are unstable.
    Respect Native Hawaiian cultural practitioners who honor the sacred legacy of this land and give them space to practice their customs.
    Slow down and drive safely. Expect long waits for parking spaces at popular vantage points.
    Most popular areas in the park remain open, including Kīlauea Visitor Center, overlooks along Crater Rim Trail, Volcano House, Nāhuku lava tube, and Chain of Craters Road, but no lava is visible to the public. Coastal backcountry sites from Halapē to the east remain open.
    Park visitors are urged to plan ahead and check the park website for 

closure and hazard alerts at www.nps.gov/hawaiivolcanoes. Live webcam images, Kīlauea updates and more are available on the USGS HVO website.
    According to the Park statement, "The eruption is entirely within Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park and poses no threat to the community at this time."

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NPS Photo of a heavily vegetated area in the Kahuku Unit of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park.

DIGGING INTO THE PAST: THE HAWAIIAN FIELD SYSTEMS OF KAʻŪ is the presentation for After Dark in the Park on Tuesday at 7 p.m. at Kīlauea Visitor Center auditorium.
      The agricultural systems of the Hawaiian archipelago were some of the most intensive in the Pacific, especially the large agricultural landscapes in Kaʻū. Seth Quintus, Ph.D., of the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa anthropology department, takes attemdees through the Kahuku agricultural field systems established before Western contact. 

    The presentation is part of Hawai‘i Volcanoes’ ongoing After Dark in the Park programs and co-sponsored by the Friends of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. Free, but park entrance fees apply.

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