August 3, 2018|Colleen Sullivan|Big Island Communities: Events, Big Island: Weather and Nature
There will be three showings of the new documentary "Saving Ohia, Hawaii's Sacred Tree" on the Big Island this month.
July 21, 2018|Karen B. Clarkson|Big Island: Weather and Nature
Lahaina Noon happens twice within a few weeks of the summer solstice on different days and times in the Hawaiian islands. Read More
May 17, 2018|Cynthia Saylor|Big Island: Weather and Nature
Footage was obtained from the 8-meter Gemini North telescope on Maunakea by a camera used to monitor the sky for remote operations of the telescope. Read More
TagsGemini Observatory, Kilauea, Mauna Kea, USGS
May 2, 2018|Michael Pipta|Big Island: Weather and Nature
First developed by the USGS in 1974, and last revised in 1992, lava hazard zone maps were initially developed with the purpose of helping local communities in planning and locating critical facilities in areas considered to be safest. There are nine zones in all, Lava Zone 1 through 9, and each zone has particular meaning for the potential hazard. As the numbers increase the hazard decreases. Read More
TagsHawaii Island, lava zones
May 1, 2017|Nova Leyva|Big Island: Weather and Nature
The East Coast is noted for its hurricanes, the Midwest for twisters and lightning storms and the West Coast for earthquakes. But here in the southernmost section of the US, we have our occasional lava flow—spectacular to behold but deserving of respect and preparation. In late 2014, as the “June 27” lava flow approached Lower Puna, questions about insurance coverage and having a safety net were at the top of residents’ minds. The most-asked question then was “will my insurance cover the loss of my home if lava reaches my property?” By June 2015, the ban on new insurance policies for Lower Puna (aka, “the moratorium”) was lifted. In June 2016, Hawaii said “RIP” to the “June 27” flow. Lava Insurance and VA Loans Recently, new attention has been brought to the question of “lava insurance” because VA loans have become an option for financing a home purchase in Lava Zone 1 and 2—if you can acquire a "Lava Insurance... Read More
