Lava Lava Everywhere

The day before we left Pahoa in June, Pu'u'o'o started erupting. For about two months it sluggishly moved in a easterly direction towards the town of Pahoa. It was not until Hurricane Islle did it really start to pick up speed and start to encroach upon Kahoe Homesteads.

My husband and I planned to go back to Pahoa in December for his birthday. However with the lava making its way towards town and threatening whether there would be a house there or not when we returned. We canceled our plans and hoped to go a few months later when things had been figured out with the lava.

Daily, USGS (Steve) and the Civil Defense (Daryl) put out updates on how far the lava has moved and if there are any new threats.

Thus far it has claimed one house, and is encroaching on the transfer station. Each day I follow the activity. Being that Pahoa is considered to be our second home it worries me. I care about the people, our Hawaiian ohana. I understand how devastating it would be to have to lava take out your home, grocery store, and block off the hwy, which is the ONLY way to access lower Puna.

Here it is November 10th, and the locals have been dealing with this since June 27th, 2014. Not that there was a threat at first, but it still is a concern. You never know what madam Pele is going to do. Right now she is shaking it up in Pahoa tho!

This map shows where the lava has gone, and the blue dotted lines show all the lower points and most likely paths the lava could take. The wider areas is when the lava was moving slowly, where the more narrow areas is when it was moving very quickly.

Though this map does not show it, the projected path is expected to run right over the top of my mothers house, or at least darn near it.

However, today after a conversation with my mother and their neighbor in Pahoa.. we have decided we will go at the beginning of December. Based on the topography and the rate the lava is moving. We feel like the house will be standing when we get there, and all will be well. Worse case scenario we have to find another place to stay or sleep in the minivan. As my husband said.. "It will be an adventure!"

So, now officially having booked our tickets to Hawaii, we will be headed back on the 1st of December, sans children! We will be back home on the 10th of December. We have not taken a vacation just the two of us, for a VERY long time. I think maybe Vegas in 2004. So... this will be exciting, fun and interesting.

In the meantime, wish us luck that Madam Pele doesnt decide to ramp up production and leave us homeless when we get there!

Check out this video - http://youtu.be/jyuIcnQ67eg

#lava #puuoo