Kilauea Volcano Erupts

 

 

After over two years of quiet, Kilauea has once again erupted. The current eruption is confined to the Halemaumau Crater and is not generally visible from any vantage point in the National Park. The lava boiled off the water lake and is now building a lava lake that is larger than the water lake. As of this writing, the lava lake is rising several yard per hour. The image above is an aerial view provided by the Hawaii Volcanoes Observatory. We are waiting to see what develops from this point. The eruption was preceded by weeks of small earthquakes in the summit area that culminated in a 4.4 magnitude earthquake around 9:30 PM on 12/20/2020. That marked the onset of the eruption.

Big Island will reopen for tourism

 Hawaii has been essentially closed for tourism since the onset of COVID-19. However beginning on October 15, 2020 that has changed. Specifically for the Big Island for people flying directly to Kailua Kona, you must have a certified negative COVID test 72 hours before departing  for the Big Island. Once you arrive you will again be tested by a free rapid test to insure you have not developed a positive reading since your last test. If all is negative all is well and you are free to enjoy your vacation. If your rapid test is positive you have a 14 day quarantine or a return to your point of departure. Anyone that flies in without a prior negative test is subject to a 14 day quarantine.

First significant snow of the season

Finally on January 10, we finally got some significant snow on Mauna Kea. The skiers should be up there tomorrow. Access to the mountain is now available for those wishing to go up. Remember, if you are going up on your own, a 4WD is mandatory.