For those on the mainland, here is an update: The lava has slowed a bit but is still headed for our little town of Pahoa and our only highway access. The volcanologists do not expect it to stop any time soon--it could be flowing in this area for many years to come. It has flowed continuously in another area close by for 30 years. Two gravel access roads have been completed quickly allowing the 9000 people who will be behind the flow to get in and out. The mayor just announced that work will begin on a more permanent route to the south through Volcanoes National Park. This will extend our travel time to the nearest city by about 90 minutes one way! Many people in the path of the flow are moving. Some who feel they will be trapped are moving. Businesses in the town of Pahoa have started closing. The path of the flow is projected to hit a neighborhood of 4000 people within weeks. One of the concerns going forward is the smoke and off gassing from the lava. When its blowing toward us, it has been bad. Most of the time, it blows elsewhere. We will have to wait and see what comes of this for us. We are handling all of this better with time. We have prepared as much as we can by stocking food, fuel for generators and travel, fuel for cooking. We may lose power for a while- or not. In the short term, we will be fine. We will all be fine. Any long term decisions can wait until that time comes. It has been very stressful for a lot of people. Many people face the possibility of losing their jobs and homes in the near term. Those of us that work face very long and expensive commutes. Everyone is handling the coming changes differently. And everyones situation is different. Some people rent, some people are retired, some are independently wealthy so face little real financial loss from any of this. Others live paycheck to paycheck and were born and raised right here. Others have invested everything here and were hoping to cash out one day. There is denial, anger, sadness, acceptance and all the rest. Many people seem to think their way of handling the situation is the best way and want others to reach their level of acceptance and bliss. I say, let it come as it comes. We all have to travel our own journeys and are all facing very different challenges as the lava flows. One thing is clear from this, this community is coming together in a new way. People seem more open to one another as we realize we are very dependent on each other now and in the near future. I am not willing to concede that all of this is a good thing (as some people have actually been saying) but were going to be okay. At least for now!
Posted on: Sun, 21 Sep 2014 17:23:23 +0000