Looks like lava is on the way, but maybe it will go around him. What do you think this Big Island of Hawaii resident should do? Can you see his home in the center of the clear area?
I imagine I’d be getting my valuables out of the house, but stay until it was pretty clear one way or the other. I assume the lava isn’t coming at a high rate of speed?
He should stay,it doesnt look that harmful.
If he’s close to the finish line anyway, this could offer the opportunity of a free cremation without any paperwork.
How would he leave? Helicopter? Doesn’t look like the roads go out of the green area in any direction. Is there actually somebody still there?
Leave. How is this a question? He can always go back if the house survives. What’s going to happen whilst he’s gone? Lava surfing looters?
There have been a couple of instances of people isolated by lava flows where they hike or ATV in and out. It’s not like they can sell the house or get volcano insurance so I can understand the desire to stay as long as it’s relatively safe.
In his case - I’d be packing and moving though, looks like Pele has taken aim.
He’s got a dirt bike that gets him in and out.
Out of curiosity, what kind of “home” is this?
I mean, it doesn’t exactly look like there are sewer, water, electricity, cable or any other connections. In other words, this looks more like a shanty in a really piss poor location.
Not that his can’t be a “home” for someone, but four wood walls and roof in the middle of a volcano is not exactly reason enough to ignore the faint odor of fire on your welcome mat.
OK, so I take it back about the lava surfing looters.
Well it used to have all those things but the lava flows that surround him took out his neighbors and services. I checked the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory site and this is the last occupied home in the Royal Gardens subdivision. Lava has been taking homes out there in both small and large groups since 1983. As recently as 2008 there were still several residents living there, including a bed and breakfast.
Where is the house in that pic? That tiny orange speck?
Why is this even a question? Get out.
This discussion make me think of the elderly man who refused to relocate when Mt. St. Helens was going to erupt and ended up being killed in the eruption:
Sewer? Compost toilet
Water? Large catchment tank. Area gets over 50 inches of rain. Roof “catches” water and it drain into tank. Solar panels power electric pump that delivers water to the inside of the home .
Electricity? Solar
Cable? Satellite
Not long ago many people called the area “home” and lived just like he is now.
Mangosteen, is ‘he’ you!?
No, one of the 2 properties I own on the Big Island is about 20 miles northeast of this guy. Due to the terrain, the lava would have to go uphill to reach Orchidland where my home is.
Here’s a map.
His place is a few miles south of Volcano. (How’s that for name of a town?) Can you see it on the map? My place is in Orchidland near Keaau. My other place is even further away north of Hilo in Pepeekeo.
Poor guy.Back in the early ‘80’s when I was doing coastal surveys for NOAA, I had my theodolite and positioning gear set up on the top of the light tower at Cape Kumakahi (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cape_Kumukahi_Light). From 125’ the view was fabulous, but the most interesting thing was how the 1960 lava flow had engulfed the town of Kapoho but had split just yards from the tower and flowed around it. Like Honey Badger - lava just don’t care.
Meh. He moved to his other home in Hawaii, where his greatest struggle per the link you provided seems to be getting used to hearing the local frogs croak.
As far as those who lose their houses to natural disasters go, he seems to be suffering less than 99.9% of others in that category.