How's Puna Doing> (Pahoa: appointed, 2013, transfer)

[DeirdreDedra]

How's Puna doing since all that lava scare? Did the Malama grocery open back up? We skipped Puna last year to give the residents their space during the crisis. Hurricane time at that time, too. But we are going to be back in November. I was wondering if things are back to normal. Red Road open? Ahalanui Park still awesome? Anything we should consider since we haven't been in the area since 2013? Also, is it pretty rainy beginning of November. My memory is that the weather is usually nice in the morning and goes downhill from there.

[terracore]

Things are back to normal and everything is reopened. When you get here, check out the Pahoa transfer station. You can see where the lava came right up next to it. Regarding the rain, we have the wet season and the slightly more wet season. November might be a few degrees cooler than summer time but that's about it.

[leilaniguy]

Wait until you see the Albizia "forest" between Nanawale and Lava tree park. Some changes since hurricane Iselle.

[HonaunauLove]

Originally Posted by leilaniguy

Wait until you see the Albizia "forest" between Nanawale and Lava tree park. Some changes since hurricane Iselle.

Yeah, I couldn't believe it when I drove through. Looked like Gojira walked over it.

[DeirdreDedra]

I remember seeing photos and was so disappointed because it used to be a beautiful drive. But I understand that the people who live near these trees found them to be a nuisance and dangerous at times.

Any chance of seeing the active lava? There really wasn't much viewing the last time I looked because it was not on public land and because it was so close to trees that it was dangerous. Or so the authorities said.

And, just because someone might know, any good vegan eats out there?

[leilaniguy]

It's OK, the view has just changed, much more sun now. Unfortunately the powers that be have deemed hot lava too dangerous to see up close and personal. Twenty five years ago it didn't seem risky at all, (I remember standing over an active tube at Kalapana, talking to a cop and having my slippers melt.) The closest I come to vegan is a side salad with my steak.

[DeirdreDedra]

Thanks Leilaniguy.

I got up close to a sky light with a guide back in '06. The only dangerous thing about it was when I looked up for a moment on the hike back to the car. I stepped between two lava rocks and sliced my leg open. But that was on me, not the lava. We need to take personal responsibility when we are out in nature. Too bad the powers that be won't let us.

Are there areas where we can walk on some of the new lava. Any websites that have good photos of the landscape so we can find it by landmarks or street names? I assume Google earth is up to date on their street view.

[leilaniguy]

Go to the waste transfer station on Apa'a St. in Pahoa. It came within a few feet of destroying it. Great views of fresh lava you can walk on, plenty parking. Edited to add: Neither Google maps or Bing maps have updated photos, but USGS HVO has blow by blow aerial shots in their archives.

[DeirdreDedra]

Great! Can't wait to hear that special crunch sound and feel the mana.