Pele is getting closer to Pahoa

            The lava flow approaching the town of Pahoa has been stalled for a couple of weeks now. However, a new outbreak has occurred and is gradually inching toward Pahoa, although on a more northerly course. It has advanced far enough that it is now visible on the USGS webcam that shows the back of the Pahoa Marketplace. By frequenting the USGS webcam at http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/cams/panorama.php?cam=R4cam you can see the smoke from the flow during the day and the glow at night. We can only hope that Pele stops before the main road is crossed by the lava.

Pele has made a decision

We have been watching the progress of the lava flow in the Puna area for the past two weeks as it slowly worked its way toward a fork in the path. The US Geological Survey mapped out two possible paths for the flow to take which came very close to each other about two miles above the town of Pahoa. Everyone waited as the flow approached the point where it would either head off to the north and possibly die out before doing damage, or head toward the town of Pahoa. 

Pele has finally decided which way to steer the flow. At this time the flow is following the path  projected by the USGS toward Pahoa and the Pahoa Marketplace at the intersection of Pahoa Village Road and Route 130. It is currently about one mile above the intersection and at its current flow rate could reach Route 130 in about a week. Cutting Route 130 would make a difficult situation in Puna worse as that is the main artery to the area. The stores in the Pahoa Marketplace have already made plans for closing, with the Village Market planning to vacate on Thursday, 12/18. The gas station also has plans in place to empty their underground tanks and replace the gasoline with water. Although Civil Defense has not yet ordered an evacuation, everyone is ready to leave at any time.

Puna lava flow update

            First let me apologize for not posting in the last few weeks. We just returned from a spectacular vacation in New Zealand. Anyone interested in natural forces should schedule a visit. Despite 55 years as a geologist, I had never experienced a glacier. In New Zealand we got a chance to helicopter onto a glacier and walk the surface. One more item off the bucket list.

            While we were gone the lava did not advance toward Pahoa town. The front of the flow has stalled and cooled significantly. Therefore, at this time there is no immediate threat to any structure in the Pahoa area.

            However, just because the front has stalled that does not mean that all is over. The Puʻu Oʻo vent is still active and lava is flowing down slope. There have been some breakouts about three miles above the town that have been advancing several hundred yards a day. As is typical in this type of activity, Pele takes her time to decide where to go. So, although all roads are now open in the area, the USGS is constantly monitoring the activity. Conditions can change very rapidly.

The Puna lava flow takes the first house

The lava flow in the Puna District stalled on October 30 and the front of the flow has not advanced since that time. However, lava is still flowing out of the Puʻu Oʻo vent and has been causing the surface of the lava to be pushed up from below. There have also been some occasional outbreaks from the margins of the flow. On Sunday, November 9, an outbreak behind the flow front pushed across Cemetery Road and split into three lobes, one of which is very close to the now abandoned transfer station.

One lobe has entered a residential property and at around noon today, November 10, set the house on fire. This is the first loss of a house from this lava flow which has been active since June 27. Unfortunately, there will probably be more losses as the flow advances.

The picture below shows the flow advancing toward a utility pole. Note the structure around the base of the pole and the pile of cinder. This is an experiment by the utility company to attempt to preserve the pole so that power can be maintained for the community.

Dining at the Original Kohala Coast Resort

We recently returned to the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel for dinner at the Manta & Pavilion Wine Bar. This hotel was the original Gold Coast hotel in Kohala and actually was the impetus for building the main highway along the coast and the Kona International Airport. We used to frequently dine there when Monette's Restaurant was at the hotel. However, Monette's closed and we really hadn't been back to the hotel in a couple of years. A couple of weeks ago we learned that two  of the people from Monette's, manager Barry Chu and waiter Charles, were working at the Manta and we were determined to dine there to renew old acquaintances. As it turned out the reunion and the dining experience were well worth it.

We dined with another couple and we all began with our usual dram of Macallan 12 year old whisky. For an expensive hotel restaurant the dram was reasonably priced at $14.00 unlike some lesser places who tend to gouge on the liquor price. We were first served an Amuse Bouche which was excellent. All of us chose the Bacon and Scallop Crostini for appetizer which was absolutely delicious. We all could not resist a salad. Our friends had the Signature Manta Salad with papaya, sweet onion, avocado and toasted macadamia nuts while we had the Caesar Salad with pan fried focaccia croutons, shaved asiago and white anchovy. We all left not a drop of salad behind.

For entree, the table split evenly. Two of us had the Fisherman' Catch special (which consisted of opakapaka, prawns and scallops) and two of us had a New York strip special (accompanied by fig jam and garlic mashed potatoes with lobster pieces). Both dishes were prepared excellently. The steak was as tender as any I have ever had. We all  finished off the meal with a chocolate soufflé which was very well done.

We were delighted to renew old friendships and have an exquisite meal. We will definitely return to work our way through the menu. We would be remiss if we didn't mention the excellent location and the viewing area for mantas which is just down slope of the restaurant.