Concern for Leilani Estates as lava moves eastward underground

[WestCoastGal]

Morning everyone. Leilani Estate's Scott Wiggers went out and grabbed 2 videos last night to see what was going on with the new Fissure 21 in LE. Hate to see this erupting back in the development. I couldn't see the red glow when he would be walking down near Fissure 17 on Kahukai but tonight's closer fissure really colors the night sky.

Ever persistent, he tries a different route 1/2 hour later. He said this is the closest he could get to F21 on the Kahukai side.

 

[WestCoastGal]

So Fissure 21 isn't where I thought it was on the map. For some reason figured it was on the opposite side of the fissure line. Here's Scott's map of where he was last night.

If you want to see one of Scott's non-LE videos for a change of pace, this is of Punalu'u black sands beach he visited yesterday. No morning walk video today. At least not one posted yet. 

[bgl]

Thanks Debbie! I actually did pretty much the same as he did, but an hour later (just before and after 10 pm). I drove down Kahukai to Kaupili and then on Kaupili going south as far as I was able to. I could see the glow in the distance (from F21) but not much else. Should mention that the night sky was lit up in a big way in two places: one was in front of me (well, a bit to the right) on Kaupili (F21) and the other, and more significant, one was behind me (F17), and that's the one that's producing enormous explosions on a regular basis. Since Kaupili wasn't a good vantage point I drove back to Kahukai, over to Nohea and then Nohea to Leilani Avenue, which is where Leilani Avenue is blocked off (going east). Parked the truck and walk along Leilani Avenue about 3/4 of the way to Luana and this is where I had the best views of F21. There are no cracks on Leilani Avenue on this stretch and I concluded it was safe. Even though it was spectacular to see F21 a bit closer (and it was very active) I wasn't able to get any good shots. Just a few, and they are way too grainy, so won't post them. Scott's videos are way better! And the large explosions have continued throughout the night, but never bothered me.

6:15 am now and the sun is just coming up and I see blue sky. Just opened the door and checked the air quality, which is very good. Hardly any sulphur smell. 

[WestCoastGal]

Everyone had the worse time trying to establish reliable streaming video as you might have experienced if you tried tuning in on the links above. Oh and BTW where you see messages that the FB videos aren't available any longer, If you click on that "View on Facebook" text in the lower left corner, it will take you to the video and you can play it that way. 

Honolulu Civil Beat is back up with Live video from the Fissure 17 area. Saw someone mentioning that Anthony had posted the stream on Youtube so here's the link. Zoomed in right now on a very showy tall lava fountain. Quite beautiful image with the trees in front and the morning Hawaii landscape in the background.  I hope that house in the foreground is safe. I know with the zooming capabilities the distance isn't what it looks like between objects.

When there's a live feed like this many times you can scrub backwards to earlier video. There might be a 4 hour window for streaming on many sites that allow you to host video streaming. Apparently Civil Beat has been streaming for the past 6 hours from info on the YT site. Sorry I missed so much overnight. The nighttime viewing is quite spectacular this week. Wow I'm seeing flowing lava in the image right now in the foreground and steaming new fissure action along the treeline. Good thing this house is up slope quite a ways. Scary!

Here's a few of the shots from when the zoomed in to the scene below:

From the chat on the feed these close ups are of Fissure 16 with flow from Fissure 20.

Just heard Brandon say they are sitting 300 feet up from the flow.

[WestCoastGal]

Bo, Scott took this video today down by Malama and Fissure 10 which would be upper end of Pomaikai. The palm trees on the right are toast. 

 

[Patrick]

Regarding F21, looks to be very near my property, bumer. The last big flow was about 600' away on the road and only about 250' in the back. Is is not possible to go down Makamae from the north via Kahukai to see what's going on?

[bgl]

Yes Patrick, it is definitely possible and that's just what I did yesterday afternoon. I drove in from Kahukai onto Makamae and all the way to the flow. I'll let you know. 

[WestCoastGal]

Patrick Justin was able to get a ride on Paradise Helicopter recently when they did a flyover (free if room for LE residents). Maybe he has a contact number number for them where you could ask if they could do a slow fly over of your place in their next run and get a better view of the whole area around you.

 

[Keith N Tampa (ex SoJax)]

2 hours ago, WestCoastGal said:

Everyone had the worse time trying to establish reliable streaming video as you might have experienced if you tried tuning in on the links above. Oh and BTW where you see messages that the FB videos aren't available any longer, If you click on that "View on Facebook" text in the lower left corner, it will take you to the video and you can play it that way. 

Honolulu Civil Beat is back up with Live video from the Fissure 17 area. Saw someone mentioning that Anthony had posted the stream on Youtube so here's the link. Zoomed in right now on a very showy tall lava fountain. Quite beautiful image with the trees in front and the morning Hawaii landscape in the background.  I hope that house in the foreground is safe. I know with the zooming capabilities the distance isn't what it looks like between objects.

When there's a live feed like this many times you can scrub backwards to earlier video. There might be a 4 hour window for streaming on many sites that allow you to host video streaming. Apparently Civil Beat has been streaming for the past 6 hours from info on the YT site. Sorry I missed so much overnight. The nighttime viewing is quite spectacular this week. Wow I'm seeing flowing lava in the image right now in the foreground and steaming new fissure action along the treeline. Good thing this house is up slope quite a ways. Scary!

Here's a few of the shots from when the zoomed in to the scene below:

From the chat on the feed these close ups are of Fissure 16 with flow from Fissure 20.

Just heard Brandon say they are sitting 300 feet up from the flow.

Is that fountain a couple of hundred feet high?  Those trees create an interesting scale feature, especially at night.  There is something primally beautiful about lava fountains, its just so unfortunate that they formed in LE.  It has been in the back of my mind that LE would be a nice place for a small winter retreat come retirement.    

[WestCoastGal]

For those who aren't able to catch the live feed/s, here's a few screen captures from two of them (both on Youtube). City Beats is offline right now, probably charging batteries, but it will go back live at some point. WXChasing said he just finished charging his second battery and expects to be able to be up for some time.

From YT "Honolulu City Beats" (account name) earlier this a.m.:

View from far left, zoomed in and panned to far right:

Far right below:

Youtube "WXChasing" (account name) has a second live feed going (up right now) and here's the close up view from that below. He said the tree is about 150 feet high to give you some perspective of how high the lava is fountaining in some spots.

[WestCoastGal]

BTW when asked about sending donations in appreciation of the feeds, WXChasing (Brandon Clement) said please just donate to the people of Hawaii. 

For more perspective on WXChasing's feed (last photo above), Brandon said they are 3/4 mile away from that far left fountain. Forgot where he said he was from the grassy area lava lake/fountaining but much closer. He's been wearing ear plugs for 4 days. Said he couldn't sleep at all last night. He said he can't pull out too much for a good shot and stay there because the ocean is in the background with the sun and messes with the lighting on the camera. The grass view is now covered in steam and he can't see the lava flow there at present. Last night he said as far as they could see to the right was all flowing lava. Brandon did a pan from one end to the other again and the amount of lava coverage is unreal.

[WestCoastGal]

Bo what are you up to today? Have you run into Justin?

[WestCoastGal]

45 minutes ago, Keith in SoJax said:

Is that fountain a couple of hundred feet high?  Those trees create an interesting scale feature, especially at night.  There is something primally beautiful about lava fountains, its just so unfortunate that they formed in LE.  It has been in the back of my mind that LE would be a nice place for a small winter retreat come retirement.    

Yes, the tree in that first image was about 150 feet high. Love the night views from this general area. Except for last night when the feed was down until after we went to bed we would watch the live feed instead of any tv. Something about being while it's happening is captivating plus the red lava against the night sky is so dramatic. My favorite times to watch are probably right around dusk and dawn (if it's not foggy). You still have some reference points and if the cameras pulled back for a panoramic view. We too have had similar thoughts. Bo's end of LE still looks like paradise to us.

[Matt in SD]

It looks like Fissure 21 is close to my house, or at least in a spot where it could affect my property if it flows significantly.  Does anyone have any info on whether Fissure 21 is producing a flow? has it crossed Hookupu?

Also, based on the location of this "fissure" on the map above, I wonder if this is actually renewed lava coming from fissures 7/8 but just moving through a tube to the 21 spot.

 

Matt

[bgl]

Debbie, I'm not sure that Justin is still here. Have not been in contact with him since I returned Tuesday evening. And Matt, as I mentioned in my post earlier this morning, I drove down Kaupili Street last night at 10 pm and F21 seems to be a bit in the distance there. When I drove around up via Nohea and walked down Leilani Avenue, close to the Luana flow where it crosses the avenue it seemed to be closer to that area. These eruptions are clearly unpredictable but I didn't sense any immediate danger to your place unless F21 keeps going for quite some time. Oh, and my plans today - well, boring as it may seem I need to get some database work done before I leave for Colombia.  But I will drive over to Patrick's place and check it out.

[WestCoastGal]

Brandon was just saying that with 3 fissures right at the base of the house, he can feel the magma in the tubes below moving. He would feel strong "earthquakes" and would check USGS and they wouldn't show up. Figured out it was just the movement in the tubes below. Wow. 

Here's a few more recent photos from the area to give a good representation of what's going on down in this area. Look forward to hearing from the latest helicopters surveying the area as to how far all of this advances. I can't imagine that Hwy 137 won't be breached looking at the volume being pumped out. He said the wind is blowing right now and they have nice clean air. Assume Leilani is experiencing the same.

From the lava lake below the house:

Looking to the right, thinks this might be F22 but doesn't see lava right now.

Further to the right some lava is erupting:

This lava flow area (not obvious from the photo maybe) had a very slow, creeping flow:

While this farthest to the right was flowing over a lava dam and running fast down hill from there:

Just pouring out of this location. All the lava flowing is coming out from it. Quite a few cones can be seen when the camera is pulled back. He was saying it was amazing to wake up in the morning and see a new cone right outside your window.

Edited May 18, 2018 by WestCoastGal
updated with more photos

[WestCoastGal]

16 minutes ago, Matt in SD said:

It looks like Fissure 21 is close to my house, or at least in a spot where it could affect my property if it flows significantly.  Does anyone have any info on whether Fissure 21 is producing a flow? has it crossed Hookupu?

Also, based on the location of this "fissure" on the map above, I wonder if this is actually renewed lava coming from fissures 7/8 but just moving through a tube to the 21 spot.

 

Matt

@Matt in SD I'm sure if Bo doesn't know you could go on one of Scott Wiggers latest videos (under ApauHawaiiTours) and add a comment there, he'll get back to you. He monitors the comments and does reply. Very nice guy.

[bgl]

F21 would seem to be a good distance away from your place, Matt. Everything being relative of course.

[Mike in LB]

Bo,

The video "My fissure map May 18, 2018" shows Vent 21 to the north of your screen shot from Travis Sanders.  Any idea which is correct?

Mike Arends

Nohea St, north of Leilani Ave

[bgl]

Afraid not, but Debbie might be able to weigh in. I only have very limited time to check these things. And for those of you who're not here - this morning, at least here at my place, is like any morning before all of this began happening. A nice breeze and fresh air without a hint of sulphur. I may even open the windows! :)

[WestCoastGal]

11 minutes ago, bgl said:

Afraid not, but Debbie might be able to weigh in. I only have very limited time to check these things. And for those of you who're not here - this morning, at least here at my place, is like any morning before all of this began happening. A nice breeze and fresh air without a hint of sulphur. I may even open the windows!

Sorry @Mike in LB, I haven't seen any official location designation yet but will keep an eye out. I know Scott said he couldn't get close to it and I was surprised to see the location within the lava flow area on Scott's morning map video. I did ask on the feed's chat on YT but didn't see any response. Their focus seems to be in this particular area and not LE. Will let you know if I do hear something.

Don't think this helps but here's Scott's 5am video of F21 in the distance. He did say he thinks it's coming out of where the other day he had to walk over to get to the void area someone had wanted him to film. Guess lesson to be learned is be careful walking over somewhat fresh lava.

 

[Mike in LB]

Ok, thanks for the reply.  We're all desperate for "real-time" information here, so I thought I'd check Palmtalk.  Even Pahoa Post Office hours are a complete mystery here.  They were closed yesterday, but opening today.  While they had a wing open for Seaview and Kalapana, I was lectured by a person there this morning at 8:30 am that they were NOT open for Leilani Estates until 10 am.  Yikes, how on earth am I supposed to know this?  (My mail guy, a really nice person, went and got my mail anyway, so it wasn't a wasted trip.)

Thanks for all the info posted here.

Mike Arends

Leilani Estates

[WestCoastGal]

Nice to see Scott run into Bill down on Kahukai earlier this morning (posted 3 hours ago). Man look at the uplift (3-4 feet they estimate) of one of the road sections. @Mike in LB I heard them discussing F21 and Scott saying while he and Bill couldn't get close to it he was sure there were others that were able to do so. I'll try to see if I can find anything out from maybe Mikeka's FB post as I think she's frequently in contact with Ikaika who might be around there occasionally. 

Oops forgot to post the video!

 

Edited May 18, 2018 by WestCoastGal
added video

[WestCoastGal]

More video from Scott focused on the vegetation. What kind of palms are those with the red trunks? Stunning. Not sure where this video was taken from. Ikaika a few days ago had noticed a lot of leaf drop in a tree he had spotted.

 

[JungleGina]

Those red trunked palms are Cyrtostachys renda (red sealing wax palms). They're cold sensitive so only grow outdoors in Hawaii and South Florida in the U.S.

[Matt in SD]

I'm also curious about the correct location of 21.  The first map above puts it in a spot that I think would likely flow to our property.  The second map (Travis Sanders) shows it in a spot that would have to spread out quite a bit to get to our house.  So like Bo said it would have to flow for quite a while.  For reference our house is on Kaupili, 3 lots to the right of the last Kaupili house visible in Travis Sanders map.  I'm guessing Travis Sanders map is most likely accurate because the fissue is on line with the others and someone on foot could probably get to an area where they would see that it had crossed Hookupu street.  

Matt

[WestCoastGal]

@Mike in LB Here's some info you might find useful includes the mail service being suspended in parts of Puna and lists areas.

http://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/story/38186992/latest-explosive-eruption-prompts-ashfall-advisory

https://bigislandnow.com/2018/05/18/update-on-usps-mail-service-for-puna-residents/

Also this from the article on HELCO establishing no-entry for their workers in Leilani:

"Hawaii Electric Light announced on Wednesday that a portion of Leilani Estates and all of Lanipuna Gardens are now designated no-entry zones for its crews. 

HELCO officials say that, over the past few days, fissure activity in the area has put crews in situations that could have resulted in severe injury. HELCO has decided that it is no longer safe to send workers to facilitate repairs in those areas.

The following areas are in the no-entry zone:

• Leilani Avenue from Pomaikai street to Pohoiki Road
• Malama Street east of Pomakai Street
• Kahukai Street from Nohea Street to Leilani Avenue
• Pomaikai, Moku and Kupono Streets south of Leilani Avenue
• All streets east beginning with Nohea Street
• All of Lanipuna Gardens including Hinalo, Lauone, and Honuaula Streets, and all connector roads into Lanipuna Gardens"

If you know anyone in the area in need of a free dust mask, those are being provided to residents. And if you know of anyone still needing shelter a new location in Keeau has opened. The need due to evacuation is great.

Here's an map of the HELCO No-Go area as posted with article on Big Island News

Looks like Nohea won't get electricty back. I know one of our members asked about this a day or two ago. Sorry for the news. 

Edited May 18, 2018 by WestCoastGal
Added HELCO NO-GO MAP and new link on USPS service

[WestCoastGal]

Still not seeing any reporting on F21 in LE. 

This morning Big Island Now was reporting that 40 structures are now claimed by the lava. 

Article includes this info for Leilani Estates residents:

"Due to increasing SO2, eruptive and fissure development the following policies are in effect:

Leilani Estates evacuees must be alert to possible decreased availability of access.

If your property is not accessible, contact Civil Defense for the possibility of escort.

No access is allowed at this time for residents of Lanipuna Gardens due to high levels of dangerous volcanic gases."

@Mike in LB maybe Civil Defense can help answer your question?

[WestCoastGal]

OK here's a map showing F21, @Matt in SD. Generated it using arcgisonline from info supplied by Civil Defense.

I sent Scott the info so he'll have current info as well.

[WestCoastGal]

Here's the map done as a closeup of Leilani Estates and without the HELCO outages. For those on the ground let me know if you want me to add in the HELCO outages for your use or any other changes I can make.

[WestCoastGal]

No updates to the USGS Alert page since 8:52am HST (11:52am PDT). Of specific interest, "Spattering continues from Fissures 15, 17, 18, 20, 21, and 22 with pahoehoe lava flows being erupted from Fissures 17, 18, and 20." No other updates I'm seeing from them, map or aerial photo-wise of F21.

[Mike in LB]

Thanks for the info on vent 21.  I'm in the HELCO no-entry zone, even though I personally am able to enter my house every day.  I spend my time between my place (no power, water, internet) and my brother's place on Kupono that has power.

Thanks for the info.  I just got back from my place and catching up with things.

Mike Arends

Nohea St, north of Leilani Ave

 

 

[WestCoastGal]

Here's some great video from Mick Kalber right down on ground level at Fissure 17 yesterday since the rain prevented an flyover (that's okay this was pretty great!). That's Ikaika Marzo and Shane Victorino (yes Hawaii baseball legend). WOW!!  You can read the video description on the video on Vimeo. Mick does say that he will try to get up in the air on Friday over LE. I see another video posted so maybe he was able to give us an aerial of the new fissure.

 

 

[WestCoastGal]

OK, Mick did get up in the air today and here's the video he posted 26 minutes ago. Check out his description on Vimeo. Since I know people here are most interested in the Leilani activity here's a quote from the description: " The outbreak on Hookupu at the bottom of Leilani Estates is still active, spitting a bit, but has largely subsided. Nothing appears active above Hookupu. This is most likely lava from the collapsed Pu'u 'O'o vent... it is much hotter and more fluid... scientists now expect to see more fountaining and longer flows from this eruption."

https://vimeo.com/270773299

If you stop the video at 1:31 in you can see LE's fissures and the huge lava flow area in the middle. Not much to see on F21 but it looks to be the area just to the left of center where you can see a few pin points of red/orange light.

Do we have any members here from LaniPuna Gardens? 

 

Edited May 18, 2018 by WestCoastGal
Will try to get the video to appear here not sure why it's not like the previous one.

[WestCoastGal]

For those with interest in watching the Live Feed, WXChasing has gone off line, probably recharging batteries, But...Honolulu Civil Beat has taken over and providing Live feed. Lava stream is flowing pretty well still although darker in color (so top has cooled) and the spattering on screen right now from that area is much, much lower so subsiding quite a bit from earlier in the morning/afternoon.

 

Wow those tradewinds have picked up. Hard to hear the lava slapping the cone or them speaking in the background at all. I subscribed to their morning newsletter but after today's was probably sent and had hoped to tune in somewhere to their special Friday talk where they were going to be talking about their stay there at the house and what they've experienced. Kind of sounded like may it was finishing up in the background. Hope they will post it somewhere and mention it in the newsletter and if so will let you guys know. Must be fascinating, once in a life-time experience to be living less than a mile away from an errupting vent and seeing the spatter cones rise and watch the fountaining off your porch. The sounds and smells and maybe the house shaking from the magma flowing underneath it, not so much. The talk doesn't seem to be posted to their Podcast area. I'll keep looking and at worse contact them for more info if I don't see something tomorrow.

[WestCoastGal]

Article from Honolulu Civil Beat on tax dollars lost in Leilani Estates and LaniPuna Gardens as well as the impact being realized in lost tourism dollars. 

Fissure 22 has opened between 19 and 20, this is in the area near PGV. It's already shown on the fissure map I generated above in an earlier post. Here's the latest report from KHON2. Leilani Estates is mentioned several times. I think the overhead photo of the cracked and deformed street is from USGS although no caption is provided. Apart from the roadway, the general browning of vegetation in the area is striking.

[Gtlevine]

Im glad to hear Hawaii is decreasing property taxes. I didnt know how that would actually work with a disaster like this, but the value of property in Leilanii will basically go to zero in the hardest hit areas to very low in even the unaffected areas. Since most living in Leilanii live there for the beauty of the place, property values are probably not as big a concern as just being able to get back in your home. So the tax break will be a benefit.

[WestCoastGal]

For those watching the Live Feed, Civil Beats feed was being hijacked as anothers so they put up a watermark right across the center. The other part pulled their feed off their site so not sure when, if CB will remove it. Any way you can also see a feed (not live btw) from WXChanging (Brandon Clement) at his YT feed. Different view and not zoomed in but maybe preferable at the moment.

OK, Civil Beats took the watermark down and you can continue to watch the live feed at their site. 

 

[WestCoastGal]

USGS Map updated as of 1pm HST today:

[bgl]

Thanks for posting all these maps, Debbie!  I drove down to the Pahoa post office a little while ago and after getting back to LE I drove around so I'll be posting a few photos. First, to show how perfectly normal certain areas are: this is Kahukai Street looking east. Just another day in paradise it would seem.  The property on the right belongs to Bill Hubbard, whom I have known for many years and I stopped by and talked with him. He and I together planted the large Bismarckia a number of years ago.