Kilauea Volcano Update

Kilauea activity update - from the US Geological Survey, Big Island

Surface flows in the Royal Gardens subdivision slowed early this past week in response to a deflation-inflation event at Kilauea's summit, but had picked up again by Wednesday evening. At the coast, the Waikupanaha and Kupapau ocean entries remain active and continue to produce prominent plumes, accompanied by small littoral explosions as lava spills into the ocean.

At Kilauea's summit, a series of collapses in the vent within Halemaumau Crater on Tuesday caused a significant widening of the vent. Rubble from the collapses filled the bottom of the vent and partly choked off the emission of gas, resulting in a wispy plume. Despite this rubble, the vent is still emitting elevated amounts of volcanic gas, resulting in high concentrations of sulfur dioxide downwind. The glow from the vent, visible early in the week from Jaggar Museum, was extinguished by the collapses. However, a webcam recorded a few points of incandescence within the vent on Wednesday night, suggesting that lava still resides deep within the vent below the pile of rubble.

Five earthquakes beneath Hawaii Island were reported felt this past week. A 3.5 magnitude earthquake occurred at 8:39 p.m., on June 28 and was located 2 miles southeast of Makawao, Maui, at a depth of 19 miles. Three earthquakes with magnitudes between 2.4 and 2.6 occurred on Tuesday (one at 1:38 and two at 2:29 p.m.), and were located beneath Halemaumau Crater at depths between 0.9-1.1 miles. A 3.3 magnitude earthquake occurred at 10:45 p.m. on Tuesday and was located six miles northeast of Kukuihaele at a depth of 16 miles.

Kona’s ‘Project Compassion’ To Serve Up Denny’s Dinners To Support Newborn Baskets for Big Island Babies

Join us at Kona Denny's on July 12th from 4:00 - 9:00 PM

6,000+ babies…and counting. That’s how many Hawai’i Island infants have received an absolutely free newborn basket within 24 hours of birth at a Big Island hospital over the past 5 years.

The newborn baskets, part of the “Baby Steps To Stronger Big Island Families” program, are meant to welcome infants into the world and provide research-based “tools” to help each child and his or her family receive the best possible start to family life. Supported by grants, private donations and thousands of volunteer hours, the project started in December 2004 as a response to Mayor Harry Kim’s community-driven “Kick ICE” initiative.

The community is invited for a delicious dinner between 4 and 9 p.m., Sunday, July 12, 2009 at Denny’s Restaurant in Kailua-Kona to support the newborn basket project through “Project Compassion,” a partnership between the Rotary Club of Kona, Denny’s and local charities to provide financial support to non-profit organizations working in the community.

Denny's will donate 20% of all dinner bills and 100% of all tips to “Baby Steps To Stronger Big Island Families” newborn basket project.

The baskets most notably include a $30 Snugli (a front-pack baby carrier), which is very handy for carrying an infant hands-free. But, more than a nice thought or helpful convenience, the contents of the gift basket are based on research showing use of a Snugli promotes a caring, safe, bonded relationship between an infant and his or her family. These stronger first relationships significantly define and enhance a newborn’s relationships throughout life. Better relationships equate to higher self esteem, which experts agree help with making better choices throughout life.

Newborn baskets also include baby’s first book, useful information for new moms such as SIDS prevention, how to install car seats, and a comprehensive Resource Directory to help anxious new families connect with services in their community. “Newborn baskets have been a huge hit all over the island because they are such a lovely way for the community to celebrate the birth of a new child,” said Angela Thomas, who has led the project from its inception.

“But presenting every new mom with a lovely gift is really just the tip of the iceberg. Because of solid research about the significant value of attachment to infant development, our project has been supported by many public and private partners – from KTA SuperStores to the Hawai’i State Legislature to Governor Linda Lingle and Lt. Gov. Duke Aiona to Kamehameha Schools and many more, including nearly a hundred volunteers who have spent more than 5,000 unpaid hours assembling baskets for our island’s three major hospitals.”

“Denny’s Restaurant and the Rotary Club of Kona, through “Project Compassion” are helping to keep these Snuglis and gift baskets being delivered to Big Island hospitals. You can help ensure that our Big Island babies thrive by dining at Denny’s on Sunday, July 12, between 4 and 9 p.m.,” Thomas said.

Waiting on customers during Denny’s “Project Compassion” dinners will be a cadre of VIP “wait help” including LAVA105FM’s Sherry Bracken, Susan Maddox of Friends of the Future and North Hawaii Rotary’s newly installed President, Family Support Services of West Hawai’i’s JoAnn Bishop Freed, Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce’s Bill Sanborn and Vivian Landrum, PATCH’s Gail Judd, Hawaii Community Foundation’s Diane Chadwick and several surprise guests.

No reservations are needed for Denny’s “Project Compassion” dinner. For information about “Baby Steps To Stronger Big Island Families, call Angela Thomas (990-6754).
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Editor’s Note: Data on the significance and value of “attachment” and bonding and the benefits of using a Snugli is available by calling Angela Thomas.

Download - Big Island E-Book

For a mere $2 you can download the 30+ page Big Island Vacation Planner electronic book in easy to read and easy to print PDF format. Our E-Book includes much of our website information in a concise, easy to maneuver E-Book. Want a paper product or brochure to take with you on your trip?

This E-Book is perfect for planning your next trip - and since you download it right to your PC or notebook, you won't need an internet connection to use this product. Once you download our E-Book, you will always have access to the best information on what to see and do on the Big Island of Hawaii!

Download the E-Book and print it out now!

Question: Hotel during Ironman Triathlon

Below is an email question we received from one of our readers:

My husband is competing in the Kona Ironman, Oct 10th. I need a local's advice on where to stay that is family oriented. We have two kids (5 & 6 yrs). I'll be by myself most of the time while my husband is focusing on the race. We'll be in Kona Oct 3-11th.

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Answer: The Royal Kona Resort hotel is right on the water in downtown Kailua-Kona -- I just stayed there not too long ago - great hotel with plenty of parking. The main attraction here is the excellent location -- smack-dab in the middle of Kailua-Kona town, right on Alii drive -- just a short walk from the swim portion of the race.

A more-family oriented hotel (and one of our favorites) is the Hilton Waikoloa Beach Resort up in Kohala -- about a 20 minute drive from Kailua-Kona. Lots of family-friendly amenities, numerous beautiful pools with water slides, man-made lagoon with sea turtles, etc., but further from the race...

I guess the first thing you'll need to decide is what area are you looking for a hotel. For more information, read our article about Where to Stay on the Big Island.

April Activities on the Big Island

Excerpt from www.mauinews.com

The seventh annual Tsunami Talk Story Festival will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. April 5 at Sangha Hall in downtown Hilo and includes dinner and talks by people who lived through the tsunamis, which inundated Hilo in 1946, 1960 and 1975. Visit www.tsunami.org.

Of course, one of the biggest annual events in Hilo is the Merrie Monarch Hula Festival April 12 to 18. The weeklong event includes exhibitions, live music, arts and crafts fairs and kahiko (ancient) and 'auana (modern) hula competitions. It is mostly free, except for the hula shows.

Hawaiiana Live will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesdays in April at the Palace Theatre in Hilo with storytelling, film, music and hula. Cost is adults $5, and children free.

Other popular attractions are the Mokupapapa Discovery Center featuring a saltwater aquarium; and the Pana'ewa Rainforest Zoo and Gardens with Namaste, a white Bengal tiger. It gets fed daily at 3:30 p.m. and it's a sight to behold. The children's petting zoo is open Saturdays and botanical gardens abound.

Winter Weather in Kailua-Kona

The following was a question emailed to us:

We are looking forward to the Kailua-Kona area. We have never been in early December or the middle of January. Just wondering what the weather would be at that time.

Thank You,

Ron & Miriam

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Answer:

Ron and Miriam, your winter weather (Dec and Jan) is mild and still extremely enjoyable. Daytime temperatures rise into the 80s and at night drop into the 60s. Surface water temps are in the mid to high 70s.

Take caution, in the winter the western shores (Kona) can be rough with ocean swells making diving conditions less enjoyable - especially late in the day.

If you will be traveling to Waimea or Volcano, both are at higher elevations and can be cold and rainy this time of year - pack at least a fleece and rain coat.

Beachgoing in Kona is still excellent in the Winter - sunny skies will dominate. For more details check out our Big Island climate page and our Big Island weather page.

Question: Where Should I Stay?

A Question was emailed to us:
I am planning a trip May 6-10 2009. I have a 8 year old son and my boyfriend. I need to find a hotel good for kids and possibly nanny service if we decide to go out one night. I also would take any suggestions as to what part of the big island is good to stay. Thank you, Stacey
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Answer:
Stacey,
We recommend the Hilton Waikoloa Village hotel - it is definitely family-friendly with tons of activities, its own private lagoon, huge waterslides and pools, and more. It is a spectacular resort with 62 acres of jungles, waterfalls, trails, pools, rivers, trams, boats, shopping, dining, dolphins, and activities. Located on the Kohala Coast of Hawaii's Big Island, the Hilton Waikoloa Village lets you experience breathtaking tropical gardens, abundant wildlife, award-winning dining, world-class shopping, art and culture, and an array of activities ranging from golf and tennis to an interactive dolphin program and the Kohala Sports Club & Spa.

However, the night life at the Waikoloa is really dull. Your best bet for night life is to drive down to the town of Kailua-Kona (although you will have to drive back at the end of the night too..) Althought Kailua won't be mistaken for a bustling downtown Waikiki or anything close, it does offer various beach bars, a great brew pub (Kona Brewery), the Hard Rock Cafe, and numerous other watering holes.

I must warn you, the Big Island is NOT renowned for its night life, its daytime activities are incredible, however. Whether you stay near Kailua-Kona or up in Kohala (where the Waikoloa Village is located) you are near immaculate beaches, great snorkeling, and tons of sunshine!