Report from South Kona

These Wonderful Birds can be Seen at the Volcano Nat. Park. The Volcano is still pretty much the same as the last updates . No new reports as of Today.

Purple basil , Greek Basil , Oregano, Cilantro .

Sunday morning after a big day yesterday, a little work in the morning then got lazy, the waves were way down and small . We went down in the afternoon for a little Kayak paddling and a swim in the big hole in the rock. Will have to get some pics of it to show the toilet bowl affect of water coming in from a underwater cave and rising up then dropping back down some times 6 to 8 feet. Now if the waves were up it wouldn’t be swimable , but when they are small like right now it’s just about perfect for it. When the water drops you can’t get out till a swell comes in and the water rises up and then you slide out before it drops down again. A lot of fun , after jumping off the various places around that you can leap in from. When the water is down it can be up to a 10 foot drop from the highest point or when its up , just slide right in. Its very deep with sparkling clear water , many different small fish darting about , a under water cave that goes a short distance to the open ocean. My buddy Chris ( yes another Chris ) had a mask and snorkle and swam out thru it , may do it too but it always a little harry to be under water in a cave even of it is short and open at both ends. The pool is just a short walk south of our little beach down the old Hawaiian trail and when you are there it’s like being miles away from anything.

In the morning We had the Annual Home Owners meeting , that gets a little out of control , the rich grumpy guy who doesn’t like people down at the beach at night because his house is next to our little beach park. It,s mostly a few beach goers and fisherman and rarely any trouble if any.
His new complaint is people pulling up laughing and and running down to swim at 8p one night and drinking a beer at the tables and the horror of a little Pakalolo. hahaha Everyone else mostly thought it sounded like fun.

Still have the kayak down on the beach , some people just leave theirs down there all the time, Another day of beach and water fun is planned , though right now just laz’n around having lattes on Sunday morning. There is a picture of my bird friend Emily , that is a pet of my hanai sisters friend Natale , who likes to sit on my shoulder and kiss, the bird will nibble on my ear till I pay attention and even slip a bird tongue in for a french kiss. Well at least someone likes me.

Come for a moon light swim , Love Steve

P.S. What did we BBQ , Mahi Mahi , Ono and shrimp along with zuccini rice and a giant salad , eaten right on the sand.

Saturday, March 29, 2008 07:19 HST (Saturday, March 29, 2008 17:19 UTC)

KILAUEA VOLCANO (CAVW#1302-01-)
19.42°N 155.29°W, Summit Elevation 4091 ft (1247 m)
Volcano Alert Level: WATCH
Aviation Color Code: ORANGE

This report, in addition to maps, photos, and webcam images (available using the menu bar above), was prepared by the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO):

Activity Summary for last 24 hours: Kilauea Volcano is active at two locations. At the summit, the Halema`uma`u vent continued erupting ash and switching to a white plume just before 3 pm. Sulfur dioxide emission rates and seismic tremor levels continued elevated to several times background levels. At the coast, lava continued to flow into the ocean at the Waikupanaha and Ki ocean entries. The east margin of the flow field was active in two spots makai of the road.

Hazard Summary: Hazardous conditions exist in the summit area and the area between the rift zone (Pu`u `O`o to Kupaianaha) downslope to the ocean between Kalapana and Kapa`ahu.

1. Summit: The current increase in sulfur dioxide emission rates at the summit means that SO2 concentrations in the air are likely to be at hazardous levels for areas downwind of emission sources in Halema`uma`u crater. The National Park Service has closed Crater Rim Drive through the south caldera area until further notice (http://www.nps.gov/havo/closed_areas.htm). Most people are sensitive to sulfur dioxide at these levels. Children and individuals with asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or other breathing problems especially should avoid downwind areas. During tradewind conditions (brisk winds from the northeast), concentrations will be highest and most hazardous in the south caldera: southwest rift zone, south caldera pullouts, and the Halema`uma`u overlook parking lot – The National Park Service has closed this section of Crater Rim Drive. During weak or southerly winds, concentrations may be high and hazardous throughout the summit area of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park and nearby communities. Stay informed about SO2 concentrations in continuously monitored areas at Jaggar Museum and Kilauea Visitor Center (http:// www.nature.nps.gov/air/webcams/parks/havoso2alert/havoalert.cfm).

The gas plume also includes fine rock dust downwind of the source. During the past few days, several people have reported a fine grit on their car windshields while driving under or in the ash plume along highway 11 and as far away as South Point. Information on the effects of ash are available at http://www.ivhhn.org/ and http://volcanoes.usgs.gov/ash/.

The possibility of future small explosions or eruption of lava from Halema`uma`u Crater cannot be ruled out.