Volcano Eruption/Air Quality

Hello Everyone,

I%26#39;m flying into the big island tomorrow, and I was wondering how big of a concern is the numerous recent eruptions. Will this prevent me from enjoying my trip whatsoever? Will there be areas where I wouldn%26#39;t be able to visit? I%26#39;m really concerned... I tried to change my trip to Honolulu, but the travel company said since the Airlines are still flying to the Big Island there is no immediate threat.

Volcano Eruption/Air Quality

please search VOG......

It is a daily thing...goes up or down...no way of telling....its not as bad as smog in Houston or Dallas.... and varries from area to area day by day

Volcano Eruption/Air Quality

yes, you will find current topics where people have been discussing their experiences with the vog. Also check this top for websites and phone numbers that post whether anything is closed in the park.

tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g29217-i268-k17932…

It%26#39;s hard to answer your question, I mean how can we say what what exactly concerns you when we don%26#39;t know the details of your plans?

In general, the last few weeks haven%26#39;t been a good time to come here for the best air and the clearest views. The park has been closed once. Parts of the park have been closed for awhile.

However there seem to be lots of people here having a good time. I am looking at Hilo Bay right now and it%26#39;s beautiful and sunny, clear with white puffy clouds. Yesterday it rained. Things change from day to day here.

If you%26#39;re the kind of person who can enjoy yourself when things are not certain from day to day, you should be fine. If it will ruin your vacation if the coast gets blanketed in haze, then you may not like it.

If you have something specific that you%26#39;re worried about not being able to do, you could ask and we might be better able to answer.

You don%26#39;t mention where you%26#39;re staying, or what your plans are... We are currently in Volcano and having a great time!

As of 1130 today the 23 April... the entire National park has been closed to all entry....and will remainn closed till conditions change.

Looking at NASA OVERLAYS this area of hazard extends from Volcano village to Ocean View on the west coast, including black sands at Punaluluu, South Point and Green sand..... An elevated health risk in these areas is present and may be extreme... Travel on Hiway 11 west of the park to Capt Cook, should be avoided....

Visitors should use caution and consult the NPS and Hawaii County sites.

This is not a drill....

hawaiidan - when you say that Captain Cook should be avoided, this is the great snorkelig spot/area, right?

no....and yes..

Go to the NPS clousure site.... click on the satellite immage for the gas plume.... It gos just south of Capt Cook...north of Ocean view.... changes day to day.... this is expected to last several days... it will be on and off for as long as the volcano is venting.....

Will this impact the snorkeling tours that go out to the area? We%26#39;re leaving on saturday and have booked a tour for Sunday. Hope it%26#39;s still on!

well, I went on the glass bottom boat in heavy vog and the vog definitely reduced the visibility and enjoyment from the boat (had we snorkeled, no impact there). We couldn%26#39;t even see the horizon in the thick haze.

The tour people will still take your money; it%26#39;s up to you whether you want to go out in poor visibility. No discounts for a voggy trip, understandably from the tour operator%26#39;s POV, as their expenses are fixed. Is the value reduced to the consumer? Yes, if the above water ocean views are part of what you anticipate.

That said, you probably don%26#39;t know til you get up that morning if the winds will be sending vog to that area.