Lava strategy
Lava strategy
With the lava heading toward Pahoa, many people will be affected. Many people will have to evacuate, not so much because their homes are threatened, but because the only highway will be cut off by the lava flow. They could be effectively cut off from Hilo and supplies like food and gasoline.
Most planned building projects around Pahoa will be placed on hold because of the uncertainty the lava flow creates. Farmers will not be able to get their produce to market. Real estate values will plummet, and tax bases will evaporate. There will definitely be a major economic and humanitarian disaster in Puna.
The idea of creating a temporary road over the old lava flow to Chain of Craters Road may be unfeasible because hikers over that area report that the lava there is still hot. Alternate routes should immediately be created using Railroad and Beach roads and connect Hawaiian Beaches with Hawaiian Paradise Park.
However, in the future, these roads could also be covered by lava. Civil Defense has not wanted to try blocking the lava flow because of legal liability if the flow goes on someone else’s property. If they do nothing, it is an “act of God,” and they are not responsible. That is understandable.
Perhaps the Big Island’s head ali‘i, Billy Kenoi, should sacrifice a lock of his hair to Pele and offer the appropriate prayers to stop the lava flow, as has been done in the past by Princess Ruth Ke‘elikolani and King Kamehameha. The idea of stopping the lava flow by damming is pretty unrealistic in any case, because nature is pretty relentless, and the lava really cannot be stopped that way for long.
Government authorities might consider an aerial bombardment of the lava source to weaken the west face of the cone to make a channel so that the lava will flow westward once again. I am sure that with enough of the proper munitions, like bunker-buster bombs, this could be done. Then, the lava would hopefully flow harmlessly along its former course, and a disaster could be averted.
Herbert G. Dorsey III
Pahoa
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Once and for all: If you’re happy with GMO products, then go buy your goods from a GMO farmer. If you’re not happy with GMO products, then go buy your goods from a non-GMO farmer. End of subject.
Rick LaMontagne
Volcano