The Big Island Vog Index Blog

The Big Island Vog Index Blog

The Big Island Vog Index Blog: Useful links to real time monitoring of vog, helpful hints from people that have experienced the vog, Posts and Updates from residents, pictures and more.

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Residents and tourists please leave your comments about your experiences with the Vog.

Please leave any helpful ideas you might have for others in dealing with the Vog, or any questions you might have.

Also tell us about the Big Island Vog conditions you have seen. Please leave your name and area that you are talking about.

Here is a link to a page if you just want to know details about the Vog, like what it is, where it is the worst, and what hazards it poses. Also things you can do to counteract the vog when it gets thick.

I had a request to post useful links at the top of the page, so here they are:

SO2 Satellite Images

Halemaumau and Pu`u O`o conditions

Daily air quality readings from six stations on the Big Island. Requires downloading java plugins

Here is the link to the county's website, with info on Lava Viewing, Health Hazards, and more: lavainfo.us

To see the State Department of Health's SO2 Readings from their Pahala Station over the last six months.

Aloha, David

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Nov 19, 2008

Thank you Kamakane
by: David

Well the picture tells it all. The Tradewinds are back, and the SO2 is heading back out to sea.

Added some new links. The State's SO2 readings are pretty interesting.

Aloha Kakou

Nov 16, 2008

Vog Is thick!
by: David

Aloha all

The last few days, we have been experiencing extremely thick vog on the East side of the Big Island, due to very light trade winds. Here is a picture of the satellite images from today.

As you can see, the vog is thick! Possibly the worst conditions in months. People on the east side around Volcano have been saying they can taste the sulfur.

West and North sides have not been as bad, but it is definitely more then we would like.

I'll keep updating, like to hear more from those on the East side,

Aloha David

Nov 10, 2008

Many Thanks
by: Grandma M

Good mounring David the info youve provided is greatly appreciated. Will definetly look more to the North.

Many Thanks
Down to earth Mother

Nov 10, 2008

I Love it Here Also
by: David

The Big Island is unique in far more then its setting. The people are one of a kind. Possibly the most mixed plate of cultures equally represented anywhere.

The Vog has had a impact though. We have witnessed people we know and love moving off Island because of Health concerns. The vog has mostly effected the young, elderly, and more sensitive of our residents, but we all have noticed it.

The least effected areas as far as I know have been the areas up North. Especially around Hawi area where the trade winds blow consistently and keep the air relatively clean.

Hilo side has been very nice on 90% of the days, but you get those days when the Kona Winds come and blow all the emissions that way, and it gets thick.

Kona was starting to get back to normal, but yesterday was thick, and the satellite images were showing SO2 up here, which is rare. SO2 and Vog are different things. SO2 is a deadly gas, while Vog is a aerosol made of of ash, dust and gases mixed with water vapor.

Anyway hope this helped!

Aloha David

Nov 08, 2008

Love the island
by: Grandma M

Will also be visiting soon in two weeks have been to the island many times feels like home, would love to buy property and live off land, away from rat race here. Garden ect. Will be checking out properties this time around, hope plant life shows me the time is right. Family wants simplar life too. any suggestions on areas hit worst by vog, to stay away from. and good areas for living off the land?

Much appreciated
Down to earth Mother

Nov 04, 2008

Thanks for the update
by: Ryan

David, thanks for your impressions and comments. We loooove Kona and visit each year. Have made our reservations for February on faith that the VOG would not turn us back. So pleased to see Kona Cams showing a much clearer horizon. Was amazed to find that many condos were still booked early even with high VOG index this fall. Guess we all know it is so special that even some VOG is not enough to keep us away. The VOG updates are very much appreciated by us mainlanders waiting for our time in paradise.

Oct 28, 2008

Getting Better
by: David

The last month or so Halemaumau has been pushing more lava to the surface of its crater, and scientists have even observed a lake of lava underneath the surface. This has resulted in less emissions from the crater, as the Smoke, ashes, and gases are giving way to Lava.

Because of this the vog has been almost back to the same conditions that it was before the awakening of Halemaumau in March. However, people are still moving away because of this, and people are still complaining of vog related symptoms.

Whether it is in their head or due to volcanic emissions is not for anyone but doctors to say, who seem reluctant to comment. My sons pediatrician was not willing to talk about other patients he had, and said that if my son was exhibiting symptoms he would talk to me. My son has been fine, but I was just curious to see if there really was an effect on children.

Mamaki Tea seems to be the best herbal remedy still, and getting in the ocean a lot always does the trick.

The ionic foot bath seems like a good idea, as vog does contain heavy metals, which typically deposit in your feet, once they are in your bloodstream.

Well thats all from me, thought I would give a quick summary, and get the blog back on track.

2 Scoops Aloha

David

Oct 08, 2008

Stop scaring people
by: Anonymous

The emergency room at Ka'u Hospital in Pahala is seeing an average of three people a day -- up from two -- with symptoms such as coughing and shortness of breath.
Are you Kidding me? Up to three from two? Maybe if it was like 10 or 20 more we should panic. C'mon. Really what are you people doing. Yes it is cloudy more than before. But the vog is not what you are saying.

Oct 08, 2008

Kilauea's toxic gas kills crops, sickens islanders
by: Anonymous

Actually the Oct 7th blog isn't extremely exaggerated. This clip is directly from CNN.com, and there is at least two more articles there.

Kilauea's toxic gas kills crops, sickens islanders

OCEAN VIEW, Hawaii (AP) -- For eight years, Tony and Sam Bayaoa have grown thousands of bright red, yellow and pink protea flowers on their farm. Then in March, Kilauea volcano opened a new vent and began spewing double the usual amount of toxic gas.

Now about 70 percent of their crop is dried, brown and brittle.

"The first reaction was -- did someone poison the plants?" said Tony Bayaoa, whose two-acre farm is 35 miles from the volcano. "I've lost my livelihood."

Big Island crops are shriveling as sulfur dioxide from Kilauea wafts over them and envelops them in "vog," or volcanic smog. People are wheezing, and schoolchildren are being kept indoors during recess. High gas levels led Hawaii Volcanoes National Park to close several days last month, forcing the evacuation of thousands of visitors.

Residents of this volcanic island are used to toxic gas. But this haze is so bad that farmers are thinking about growing different crops, and many people are worrying about their health.

Kirk Brewer, 33, an electrician who moved to the Big Island in 2006 from Southern California, blames his headaches and wife Tracy's itchy skin, sore throat and runny nose on the vog.

"It's a bummer when you go to the other islands and see how clear and blue it is, but we'll just deal with it," Brewer said.

When educator Ann Peterson of Kona went to the bank last week, she and the teller were making the same noises in their throats. They looked at each other and said in unison, "Vog!"

Kilauea on the Big Island has been erupting continuously since 1983. But in mid-March, a new vent formed at the summit, giving Kilauea two large sulfur dioxide outlets instead of one.

Sulfur dioxide, a pollutant that is also generated by burning coal and oil, can lead to asthma and other respiratory illnesses and aggravate lung and heart disease. When combined with dust and sunlight, it makes vog. Mixed with atmospheric moisture, it produces acid rain.

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Oct 08, 2008
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Submitted by: Anonymous

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Actually the Oct 7th blog isn't extremely exaggerated. This clip is directly from CNN.com, and there is at least two more articles there. Kilauea's toxic gas kills crops, sickens islanders OCEAN VIEW, Hawaii (AP) -- For eight years, Tony and Sam Bayaoa have grown thousands of bright red, yellow and pink protea flowers on their farm. Then in March, Kilauea volcano opened a new vent and began spewing double the usual amount of toxic gas. Now about 70 percent of their crop is dried, brown and brittle. "The first reaction was -- did someone poison the plants?" said Tony Bayaoa, whose two-acre farm is 35 miles from the volcano. "I've lost my livelihood." Big Island crops are shriveling as sulfur dioxide from Kilauea wafts over them and envelops them in "vog," or volcanic smog. People are wheezing, and schoolchildren are being kept indoors during recess. High gas levels led Hawaii Volcanoes National Park to close several days last month, forcing the evacuation of thousands of visitors. Residents of this volcanic island are used to toxic gas. But this haze is so bad that farmers are thinking about growing different crops, and many people are worrying about their health. Kirk Brewer, 33, an electrician who moved to the Big Island in 2006 from Southern California, blames his headaches and wife Tracy's itchy skin, sore throat and runny nose on the vog. "It's a bummer when you go to the other islands and see how clear and blue it is, but we'll just deal with it," Brewer said. When educator Ann Peterson of Kona went to the bank last week, she and the teller were making the same noises in their throats. They looked at each other and said in unison, "Vog!" Kilauea on the Big Island has been erupting continuously since 1983. But in mid-March, a new vent formed at the summit, giving Kilauea two large sulfur dioxide outlets instead of one. Sulfur dioxide, a pollutant that is also generated by burning coal and oil, can lead to asthma and other respiratory illnesses and aggravate lung and heart disease. When combined with dust and sunlight, it makes vog. Mixed with atmospheric moisture, it produces acid rain.

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Oct 08, 2008

Kilauea's toxic gas kills crops, sickens islanders (continued)
by: Anonymous

Exceptionally thick gray-white vog has hovered over parts of the Big Island for weeks, particularly those areas downwind of the crater. The wind has blown vog to Oahu, 200 miles to the north, bathing Honolulu in a light haze. (The vog is no threat to the U.S. mainland, some 2,500 miles away.)

Some crops are doing fine. Coffee and macadamia nuts, two of the Big Island's mainstays, appear unaffected. Koa and ohia trees are healthy, but eucalyptus leaves are turning brown, as are Asiatic lilies.

Protea may be the hardest hit, though experts don't know why. The hand-size blossoms are used in tropical floral arrangements and are a $1.8 million-a-year business in the islands.

Kelvin Sewake of the University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture said he is not sure if it is the gas or acid rain that is killing the plants. He said Big Island protea growers have always suffered sulfur dioxide "burns," but he has never seen it this bad.

Dan Wegner, the biggest protea farmer in Ocean View, with about 15 acres, said he usually records $70,000 in annual sales. This year, he is not sure if he will reap half that.

"This is taking my viable business right now and putting it right in the dumper. I don't know what I'm going to do," Wegner said. "It's frightening."

One reason the vog is worse is that the new vent is farther inland than the older Puu Oo vent on the mountain's seaside slope. While gas from the Puu Oo vent often blows out to sea, the new plume is more likely to hit farms and communities in concentrated form.

The county has issued only two temporary, voluntary evacuation advisories for Ocean View and Pahala, which have a combined population of just more than 4,000. The vog that has settled over the Big Island has little or no odor.

The emergency room at Ka'u Hospital in Pahala is seeing an average of three people a day -- up from two -- with symptoms such as coughing and shortness of breath.

Dr. Cliff Field, ER director, said he is more concerned about the potential long-term harm. Large amounts of vog may cause emphysema and chronic lung disease over time. Still, he questioned whether living next to Kilauea is any worse than living in a city like Los Angeles.

Sally Ancheta of the American Lung Association of Hawaii said people should stay inside when the vog is bad. But she added: "I would not recommend anybody leaving. It's too good of a place to live."

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Oct 08, 2008
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Submitted by: Anonymous

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Comment
Exceptionally thick gray-white vog has hovered over parts of the Big Island for weeks, particularly those areas downwind of the crater. The wind has blown vog to Oahu, 200 miles to the north, bathing Honolulu in a light haze. (The vog is no threat to the U.S. mainland, some 2,500 miles away.) Some crops are doing fine. Coffee and macadamia nuts, two of the Big Island's mainstays, appear unaffected. Koa and ohia trees are healthy, but eucalyptus leaves are turning brown, as are Asiatic lilies. Protea may be the hardest hit, though experts don't know why. The hand-size blossoms are used in tropical floral arrangements and are a $1.8 million-a-year business in the islands. Kelvin Sewake of the University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture said he is not sure if it is the gas or acid rain that is killing the plants. He said Big Island protea growers have always suffered sulfur dioxide "burns," but he has never seen it this bad. Dan Wegner, the biggest protea farmer in Ocean View, with about 15 acres, said he usually records $70,000 in annual sales. This year, he is not sure if he will reap half that. "This is taking my viable business right now and putting it right in the dumper. I don't know what I'm going to do," Wegner said. "It's frightening." One reason the vog is worse is that the new vent is farther inland than the older Puu Oo vent on the mountain's seaside slope. While gas from the Puu Oo vent often blows out to sea, the new plume is more likely to hit farms and communities in concentrated form. The county has issued only two temporary, voluntary evacuation advisories for Ocean View and Pahala, which have a combined population of just more than 4,000. The vog that has settled over the Big Island has little or no odor. The emergency room at Ka'u Hospital in Pahala is seeing an average of three people a day -- up from two -- with symptoms such as coughing and shortness of breath. Dr. Cliff Field, ER director, said he is more concerned about the potential long-term harm. Large amounts of vog may cause emphysema and chronic lung disease over time. Still, he questioned whether living next to Kilauea is any worse than living in a city like Los Angeles. Sally Ancheta of the American Lung Association of Hawaii said people should stay inside when the vog is bad. But she added: "I would not recommend anybody leaving. It's too good of a place to live."

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Oct 08, 2008

Oct 7 blog is exxageration
by: Anonymous

Most of the happenings on the oct 7th comment is just about the economy. Coincidence. People are living and thriving just like anywhere else in the world. The oct 7th blog is an extreme exxageration. Hotel occupancies have depleted because of airfare prices and the recession and potential depression we are in. A completely different matter. Just happens to be at the same time. People like that are just trying to make our economy worse. Thanks Buddy!!!!!

Oct 07, 2008

Death - Real Estate and no Tourists.
by: Ship Hawkins Pu'u

Well as you know, Many people are selling their homes on the big island due to Vog. The real estate market is going to get slammed on the big island. Tourists are going elsewhere due to economy and the Vog here. The worst is yet to come. I've heard that CA investers are pulling out of the big Island for good. Hotel occupancy will dip to 48% in 2009. Investors are not buying Big Island real estate and are selling the remaining stock at a huge loss of 30%
The Vog will then completly whip out the remaining AG crops. The big Island will lose
15% of it's job force. News about VOG on the big Island has spread in newpapers across the country and world. The word is out.
CNN is reporting that tourists and residents should beware of health risks such as Cancer and
Lung infections.

Oct 06, 2008

I feel just fine
by: Anonymous

I don't know people. I live in Hawaiian Ocean View Estates. I have asthma and have not felt anything from the vog. I have not used my nebulizer of Advir since 2005. I am very sensitive but I have not been feeling any of the symptoms people are complaining about. I had a friend who was laying on my couch and she did not know I had a himalayan cat and she said she cannot be exposed to any cat dander of cat hair or she will go into respiratory distress and start sneezing and coughing intil collapse. Naturally I did not inform her that my cat sleeps on that couch most of the day and I did not bring my cat in. What I am saying is some people may be reacting just from suggestion.

Oct 03, 2008

Pele
by: Anonymous

The indigenous Hawaiians have been wanting their lands back. I believe they may have gotten an answered to their prayers. Hope Pele doesn't take this to far. I believe offerings (no virgins), but purity of heart, and a whole lot of Forgiveness those who came and laid claim to Paradise. Forgive the past and do the offerings and perhaps Pele's spirit will grow calm. Just a comment. One I believe can help.

Sep 30, 2008

moving
by: Anonymous

we have to get out of the daily pollution. Makes my wife sick. Going to another part of the island to see blue skies and white clouds. I like the guys idea of pumping sea water on the vent. Not likely..cough--cough

Sep 24, 2008

RE: Vog poisoning by VB
by: BF

It is highly unlikely that you experienced vog poisoning in Kapoho as the winds generally come from the other direction.

What you are most likely experiencing is the poison spray drift from the papaya farms.

Sep 24, 2008

Vog level in South Kona
by: Anonymous

Was wondering how the vog is in the South Kona area and Milolii?
Was told recently that is was not bad there and I was under the impression that it was.We were there in May and it didn't bother our breathing that much but we only got to see the sun set 3 times out of 30 days.

Sep 20, 2008

Visit to Kailua- response to Gary
by: Kailua-Kona Wahine

Aloha Gary,

The VOG is not too bad right in Kailua-Kona near the coast. The sky is hazy with it most days. However, if you drive north to the beaches you can get out of it quickly unless the trades are not blowing and then the entire state is covered. No way to predict what November might be like. I wouldn't cancel your trip. Most tourists just think it is hazy.
The skies are very clear where the actual plumes are! Just don't hand around South Kona and Kau for long.

Sep 18, 2008

Organic sulfur is bio available, the VOG is not
by: Patrick McGean

The gaseous pollution from the volcanic activity is a result of this activity occurring in the atmosphere.
When this same volcanic activity occurs deep in the oceanic volcanic trenches then the sulfur is released as free sulfur not sulfur dioxide.
If sea water were pumped over the gas plume where the lava flows into the sea possibly it could reduce the S02 to sulfur and oxygen.
Hawaii has sea going pumpers which could test this
theory. In Chile fresh water was sprayed on the
gaseous plume but what was missing was the salt.
Salt replaces the sulfur in a form of electrolysis
The sudden quenching of the lava flow in sea water
suffers from the air in which this occurs. No
free oxygen and nitrogen are available in the deep
sea trenches where the black smokers provide free
sulfur for plankton, the beginning of the aquatic food chain.
This is only a theory but if the SO2 and the resulting sulfuric acid could be reduced with this process then the adverse effects of the VOG could possibly be decreased to plants and animals alike, we humans are animals.
Our study members have experience a resolution to a number of allergies both atmospheric and food borne by adding organic sulfur to their diets.
We believe that enabling cellular regeneration is the key to what our members are reporting.

Director
Live Blood and Cellular Matrix Study
organicsulfur@sisna.com

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Sep 18, 2008
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Submitted by: Patrick McGean

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The gaseous pollution from the volcanic activity is a result of this activity occurring in the atmosphere. When this same volcanic activity occurs deep in the oceanic volcanic trenches then the sulfur is released as free sulfur not sulfur dioxide. If sea water were pumped over the gas plume where the lava flows into the sea possibly it could reduce the S02 to sulfur and oxygen. Hawaii has sea going pumpers which could test this theory. In Chile fresh water was sprayed on the gaseous plume but what was missing was the salt. Salt replaces the sulfur in a form of electrolysis The sudden quenching of the lava flow in sea water suffers from the air in which this occurs. No free oxygen and nitrogen are available in the deep sea trenches where the black smokers provide free sulfur for plankton, the beginning of the aquatic food chain. This is only a theory but if the SO2 and the resulting sulfuric acid could be reduced with this process then the adverse effects of the VOG could possibly be decreased to plants and animals alike, we humans are animals. Our study members have experience a resolution to a number of allergies both atmospheric and food borne by adding organic sulfur to their diets. We believe that enabling cellular regeneration is the key to what our members are reporting. Director Live Blood and Cellular Matrix Study organicsulfur@sisna.com

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Sep 17, 2008

Kona Village
by: David

Aloha

I haven't been down to the village lately, but that area, right around the airport, and right North of it, are a lot bette then the rest of Kona. The winds tend to keep the air relatively clean, but there was one day when the wind died and the vog was thick!

That being said I would go for it. There is usually trade winds consistently in November, and the ambiance of KV can not be beat.

As long as you don't want to go into Kona town, you should be fine.

Aloha David

Sep 16, 2008

What's the VOG situation near Kona Village?
by: Gary

My wife's 50th is coming up in November, and she loves KV. When we were there in March-April the VOG was not as bad as in K-K, but was definitely interfering with sunshine. Personally I'm not thrilled with layout the big bucks for a not so nice experience. Would any locals be kind enough to fill me in on the current situation? Any chance the winds would change or improve the situation in early November?
Mahalo
Gary

Sep 10, 2008

Lethal Air
by: Jilian Yank

The slow visible hell that the big island is experencing is horrific.
It's a slow march to the grave for plants, animals and people.
Beware of the toxic hell invading the big island!
Children and the elfderly should be vary careful of the toxic sulphur death gas.
All toursits should take precautions and prodect themselves - The other Hawaiian islands have good air quality except for rare Kona wind days.

Sep 09, 2008

Toxic death
by: Bill Shire

The Vog is killing the plants and people of the big island. It's a slow death, but significant enough to kill the real estate market and tourism.
Best to stay well clear of the natural disaster.
The is especially harmful to the elderly and children. If you are visiting the big island be extremely careful of inhaling this toxic element.
Beware and wear gas mask if possible.

We are going to tell all the travel agents at the national convention to make sure the public is aware of this disaster to humans and animals.

Aug 12, 2008

Looking for ways to help
by: Brian and Carol

From Arizona we are watching your situation.
We are concerned about the duration of your current VOG problem. The possibility of it continuing and the increased effects this could have on your people.
At what point do you make contingency and long term, "short term," emergency plans?
What would they look like?

Aug 06, 2008

airnow.gov
by: Anonymous

Here is the official site offered by the Federal and State agencies. It looks good, it does help BUT this agency is located on the mainland. I called the number for an update and found out that it was a moderate reading for Pahala and Kona - we live in Ocean View. I was told if I needed to evacuate to leave. I asked 'where do I go?' At t

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