Goodbye 2014...

... but so far we haven't had to say goodbye to Pahoa-town or our home.

The lava keeps flowing, but it's taking it's own sweet time. We sure don't mind that! We've gotten used to the whole "hurry up and wait" mode, always on the alert, but also taking time to gather with friends and to tend the garden.

I've had to unpack a few items that were needed since the first mad dash to get away from impending doom has passed. Who knew it would take four months and counting? Mike has returned to the perimeter fence-building project on the new place: three sides are finished now - more on that in a future post.

Basically, our situation is more of the same: we check the flow status online every morning and evening... keep an eye on the maps and on how close the helicopters are flying overhead... say goodbye to more friends as they move away... and wait as patiently as we are able. Some days are easier than others, but we're getting pretty good at it by now.

I'm including this morning's video from Mick Kalber and Paradise Helicopters. These guys do more overflights of the lava flow than any of the officials seem to do, and they always have the most informative visuals, accompanied by lovely Hawaiian slack key. No need for a voice-over to interpret what you're seeing, their blurb below will help if you're unfamiliar with the area.

"Since our overflight last Friday 12/26, lava has crossed the firebreak road (cut from the top of Apa`a Street to Ainaloa) and advanced about 40 yards towards the Pahoa Marketplace. It is now four-tenths of a mile from the Malama Market and moving slowly, but steadily. Numerous small outbreaks were visible upslope of the flow front, mostly on the surface of the active flow rather than in the trees. Much more activity continues in and around the trees several miles up near the geothermal pad site. Some surface activity also continues to be seen near the Pu`u `O`o vent... a skylight remains open there as well. As scattered as the flow appears now, the flow front does not appear to be stopping, but the level of descent and sluggish nature of the flow front would indicate that although it is less than a half mile away, it will still be some time before it reaches either the Pahoa Marketplace or Highway 130."

 

It's Getting Real All Over Again

I've been meaning to post, but what would I say? One week it looks like the flow is abating, the next it's full steam ahead. Do we go ahead and trim the out-of-control Chinese orchid tree and cut back the fishtail palms out front... or concentrate on further improvements to the Banana Shack? The flow front moves to the north... no wait, it's curving back around. Maybe we have time to finish the perimeter fence after all? The lava meanders about in a fairly flat area only to find a crack and burst forward again. Every time I postpone writing here, I'm glad I didn't give an update that would be outdated a few short days later.

But the time has come. Although the flow stalled last month, just on the brink of town, it hasn't stopped. At all.

The yellow dot shows the flow front as of this morning. We are at the top right of the image.

Now the newer half of Pahoa town, the Marketplace with all the more practical shops, is the target. The active lava front is within one mile of the grocery store, medical clinic, auto repair shop, hardware store, gas station, propane & battery shop, among others - all are located in this Marketplace area. Plus, the highway junction is right out front.

Once the highway is cut off we will have to take a longer, slower route to the outside world and anywhere north of us (Hilo, Lori, beaches, friends, all other parts of the island, groceries, building supplies, etc) via the newly reopened and graveled Railroad Avenue, then back up to the highway through another subdivision.

Dashed blue lines on this one depict alternate routes: Railroad (extends on both sides of Hawaiian Beaches) & Beach Road.

Quite soon after that, if the flow keeps going, it will cut across Kahakai Boulevard, our access to the highway. At that point, we will have to take Railroad in the other direction, up through yet another subdivision in order to reach Pahoa and our land.

Obviously, at some point before all this happens, we need to have most of our stuff moved away to the safety of the Banana Shack. But exactly when? No one knows. This flow is so unpredictable, as is usual for a pahoehoe flow on this side of the island where the terrain is so varied, full of earth cracks, old lava tubes, and a jumble of previous long ago flows.

Some have asked why we don't just move already... move on... get out of harm's way? There are several reasons: insurance requires our home be occupied to a certain extent; we can't sell out (who would buy in front of a lava flow?); it's a huge job to move the farm animals, as well as the household, and all - we don't want to do it before we really have to (the flow could stall again, or could just take its sweet time to get this far down, or even could take another route); there's the worry of vandalism and theft; and besides, it's far more comfortable here. We will stay as long as we can safely do so.

Meanwhile, it's the Christmas/Yule season with all it's attendant expectation and goodwill. Having a small child to share the excitement and wonder makes it all the more special. I've been enjoying this season to the fullest! I went ahead and decorated, and put up a tree full of cherished ornaments, each one with a story behind it. It will still be a while before the lava comes knocking on our door. The little bits of normalcy and cheer are a welcome reprieve from the anxiety of impending lava.