Officials worry about billowing volcanic gas

Comment on this story Two geologists stand at the rim of Halema'uma'u as a cloud of ash and sulfur dioxide rushes into the air.

[Robbie]

Obviously, the children are at the highest risk. Children downwind are more apt to develop respiratory concerns down-the-road. My chemistry skills are a little weak, but we seem to be 1 oxygen atom away from H2SO4 (sulfuric acid)...that is, when our mucus membranes (H2O) combines w/sulfur dioxide (SO2)...this could become a problem. Correct? Mr. Kim, what is the plan for our Keiki?

[uncle_aina]

I was astounded to read the accounts of what happened within Halema'uma'u crate back in 1924 - the last time it erupted. It's here:
http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/kilauea/history/1924Ma...

If something like that happened again, that whole area would be severely affected. Not many folks lived up there back then.

Pele's got something up her sleeve maybe?

Whatever happens, I hope the people up there will be OK...I've got friends in Volcano.

[Mike]

What's your plan, Robbie?

[RKG96813]

The gas rising that the 'Officials' should be worried about is the one at the PUMP!!

[Kristen]

You didn't report what I read earlier in the W. Hawaii today that the SO2 levels have been as high as 4,000 to 5,000 and have been averaging 1,800 to 3,000ppm.

[SOCIETY]

We've always live with the volcanic fumes billowing all through out the Hawaiian Islands. Maybe the gov't had shown concerns way back in the past or not. It's nature at work, live it alone. Stop trying to mess with the nature. Stop trying to change everything that we may no longer recognize Hawaii at a later point (it may be sooner if we keep trying to mess with everything). Let nature take its course. Let it be.....

[Funny]

Funny to see the news conference where the Mayor and "experts" are right in front of the dangerous cloud. The Mayor talks about how dangerous it is and how they want everybody to evacuate (even people trying to sneak). Then he says the winds could shift at any time.

Why the he@@ is he standing right in front of it then?? What a clown!

[walter71]

pele is upset and the volcano is going to explode.

for sale, newly created land going fast. call the u. s. government for details.

[Manoa Man]

No place for Asthmatics :(

[MauiSlugbug]

uncle_aina wrote:

I was astounded to read the accounts of what happened within Halema'uma'u crate back in 1924 - the last time it erupted. It's here:
http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/kilauea/history/1924Ma...
If something like that happened again, that whole area would be severely affected. Not many folks lived up there back then.
Pele's got something up her sleeve maybe?
Whatever happens, I hope the people up there will be OK...I've got friends in Volcano.

Uncle, thank you for sharing the USGS article. It was very interesting.

[kokonuthouse]

Mayor Harry Kim is a self proclaimed master of everythig and expert on nothing. Harry needs to get up close and personal with Halemaumau. Hey Harry......instead of standing at the podium babbling like an idiot, as only you can, take a walk in the crater. A little bit of Madame Pele might enrichen your life.

[Jessica]

Aloha we do not suffer the high levels of sulfer dioxide on the West Side, we sure suffer from breathing problems. We live in the dry country, Kawaihae, and work in Kona. My asthma/bronchitis is really bad and my daughter with high asthma problems is suffering from breathing and tight chests.
This is not an enjoyable fresh air.

[kokonuthouse]

Funny wrote:

Funny to see the news conference where the Mayor and "experts" are right in front of the dangerous cloud. The Mayor talks about how dangerous it is and how they want everybody to evacuate (even people trying to sneak). Then he says the winds could shift at any time.
Why the he@@ is he standing right in front of it then?? What a clown!

finally...soemone else who thinks Harry Kim is the Hawaiian Bozo

[She stay mad]

These people make like they have an answer for everything. Since when do you start setting guidelines on nature? I think that is ridiculous. Anyhow, they should be focusing on where these people should be evacuating to rather than having them stand by and wait for test results. If their plants are being affected by it, doesn't that mean something? Start moving them out soon. I can only imagine how the 1924 eruption at the Halema'uma'u crater affected the people, but pressure has been building up for years, shouldn't they take that into consideration? And look at all that smoke? I mean, I've seen vog up there, but nothing like that. That looks dangerous to be standing in front that cloud of smoke like that. And do the people that are affected by it have resources to turn to in the mean time? Or do they have to wait till it happens and wait to be approved for assistance by FEMA? What is Harry Kim doing about that? I think the worst case scenario is standing by and waiting while SO2 takes over your respiratory system and dying because resources haven't been open to the people that live in the affected areas. Wake up Harry! I think you worked in civil defense too long, where you learned to react only when something does happen.

[Mike]

I actually think Harry is doing a good job in warning people. He should do it everyday. Look at what happened with all those 9/11 rescue workers and the hellish lawyers sueing the gov't for not protecting them against harmful air. I'm not saying Harry should be giving out gas masks or anything but nothing wrong with telling people where not to go for a walk or jog.

[alice]

yes Kim is a joke but he does try to be honest more or less.

And as for Pele, she is erupting out of fury that so many native Hawaiians live a life of ease and shibai.

[Mike]

Oh and to all those of you who rely on the gov't for anything and everything, what don't you take a hike in the crater? ahahaha

[alice]

especially Big Island government.

[y u like know]

leave pele alone and let her do her thing!!!!

[cynthia]

I live in Kailua Kona....my daughter, granddaughter and I all hav asthma....I have noticed the effect from increased emissions.....our eyes have been blood shot and irritated, have had many head aches, feel very tired and foggy headed, and I have noticed I have had SOB when trying to speak......we go down to sea level and look up where we live and can't even see the houses or mountain like we used too....so it IS effecting us here!!