Just moved to Big Island and Freaking out (to eat, places)

[smarino]

Nothing wrong w/ Richardsons or Four Mile. Good water there, although it's cold this time of year. I would avoid any rivers. That's where the bacteria tend to be, and where lawn and crop chemicals tend to run into.

On most properties, your real problem is going to be digging, period. A lot of the island is hardened lava w/ just a little topsoil on top. When I first saw someone cutting their entire yard w/ a weed wacker, I thought they were, well, wacky. But tearing the crankshaft out of a mower when you hit hard lava is not fun, so it made sense.

[Jane M]

Hotzcatz, thank you! I am a healthy person and take precautions, but unfortunately, I am also a worry wart and a hypochondriac to boot. It is a good thing you are not a doctor b/c I would be asking you questions all day long!!

Thanks for the recommendation about Takunagas. I heard about that place and will definitely go there for fishing supplies and advice. Is there a government site that has guidelines for fishing sites?

[Jane M]

So, I have one more worry if you all can help me out again: rat lung worm.

I heard about it, but wasn't too concerned b/c I am careful to wash all raw produce.

However, today, I was looking at a house in Papaikou with a fruit tree. I was about to take an orange off the ground and the landlord literally shouts: "NO!" I asked why? those are the ripest ones. and then she's says: "rat lung worm".

Then, of course I started reading about the disease. It seems that produce is the main culprit, but not the only one. In fact I read some where that even touching the slug/snail slime is risky.

Now, I know that there are not many cases in the state, and that I am blowing this way out of proportion, but what I want to know is: Should I be careful walking around barefooted on my own yard in case I step on a slug or worse, slug/snail slime which you can't even see??? What about my doggie? She eats grass. What if she eats a grass with slime on it? I heard a cat and horse came down with it.

Listen, I know I am totally crazy. But I would appreciate an honest answer (try to be kind even though it might be tough).

[Jane M]

Smarino. Thank you! I didn't know about 4 mile. gotta check it out. I saw people fishing the bay from the rock wall near Wainaku. Is this legal? safe to eat fish? or is it catch and release only?

I can use garden boxes and commercial soil to plant my garden I guess

[Dreaming of Hawaii]

Yes, you are worrying WAY too much. It's smart to be careful, but you don't have to live in a cocoon. If you feel that do, then Hawaii is not for you.

I have lived here almost six years. I'm part of a community garden, and we are just careful to always wash the produce before eating. Never have gotten sick. My dog and I walk barefoot in our yard, and we've never gotten sick. If I happen to touch a slug, I wash my hands with soap and hot water. With the recent dengue problem, I am more careful to always use insect repellent.

I live on a property with a cesspool and have never worried about the soil being contaminated. The first ten feet are encased in concrete, and then the "stuff" goes down into the lava. Anything we are growing on the surface does not get affected by the waste.

There are all sorts of creepy, crawlies in Hawaii. Right now we are being attacked by little fire ants and the coffee beetle borer in addition to the others that you've brought up. Just keep yourself informed and be smart.

[Arktikos]

Originally Posted by Jane M

However, today, I was looking at a house in Papaikou with a fruit tree. I was about to take an orange off the ground and the landlord literally shouts: "NO!" I asked why? those are the ripest ones. and then she's says: "rat lung worm"..

If you were planning to thoroughly lick the orange before peeling, I can understand the concern. Otherwise, I don't get it.

It's conceivable that your pet could contract the rat lungworm, though very unlikely.

Regarding the fishing, I agree with Hotzcatz. Shore fishing is likely to be a disappointment anyway, unless

you head to South Point.

[hotzcatz]

I'm sure there were things to be concerned about where you lived before, Jane, although perhaps since they were familiar things to worry about, they weren't so worrisome, as it were. Now, in a new environment, there's new and different things to watch out for so that may make them seem a bit more worrisome than they need to be. Things will mellow out once they aren't so new and different anymore, don't you think?

What sort of things did you used to have to worry about that aren't here? Snakes? Alligators? Bears? Chipmunks and squirrels in the bird feeder? Ah ha! Humming bird attacks! You're safe from hummingbird attacks here. So, there's good things. There is a moth that sort of acts like a humming bird sometimes, but I don't think we have any actual hummers.

If it has a peel on it, I don't worry about rat lung worm or leptospirosis or anything else dire. At least, as long as I'm not eating the peel.

Fishing in Hawaii is different than mainland fishing so it takes awhile to figure out the differences. We did go drown a few lures the other day and didn't get anything other than a stick fish.

[Jane M]

Hi Hotzcatz,

In california, the only thing I was paranoid about was poison oak and mountain lions. I am REALLY allergic to poison oak and everything with urushiol like mango skin, cashews, etc.. Also, I am a runner and mountain lions are really common even in urban areas.. They tell you they only hunt early dawn or at dusk. But this isn't true. Mountain lions show themselves at all times of the day and they will attack humans b/c they are not scared of them at all. The amount of attacks are low, but we had a recent one where the lioness attacked a small child who was with a GROUP of adults in the middle of the day. Of course, bears are a huge concern for me (not in the bay, tho). Had to cut a trip to Glacier NP b/c seeing the claw marks in trees and bear scat just freaked me out and I didn't want to hike anywhere. Plus, the day I arrived a female bear attacked a GROUP of people lead by a forest ranger with heavy duty bear spray and nothing stopped her from attacking. I don't remember if anyone was killed, but people were hurt. Snakes don't bother me at all. Even if they are poisonous.

[Arktikos]

Originally Posted by Jane M

. Snakes don't bother me at all. Even if they are poisonous.

A lot more people worldwide are bitten and killed by snakes than by bears.

Regarding your concerns at Glacier Bay National Park in Alaska, I believe there is only one documented fatal attack there, 40 years ago.

Denali National Park in Alaska didn't have a single fatal attack until just a couple years ago.


I've seen wild boar a few times while running in Hawaii. Like bears, they just run away.

I do carry a thick piece of bamboo though, because dogs aren't as intelligent as pigs.

[Dreaming of Hawaii]

Originally Posted by Jane M

Hi Hotzcatz,

In california, the only thing I was paranoid about was poison oak and mountain lions.

Regarding poison ivy, the thing you have to watch out for in Hawaii is mango rash. The sap and skin on the mango is in the poison ivy family and causes a very itchy bubbly rash. I got some on my hands this year for the first time. I can still eat mango (thankfully), but don't handle anything to do with them until they are peeled.