What is Vog?
Hmmm.
Volcanic smog resulting from the active Kilauea Volcano on the Big Island of Hawaii is causing periodic air quality challenges in the state of Hawaii.
Birds are singing at Kihei beachfront on Maui now. (One island over from Big Island.) It's a sunny clean air 80 degree day, and palm trees and people soak in the sun yet...
Hawaiians talk about vog fairly often. Is it because I write about air quality and in a sense encourage its mention?
The sulfuric acid "fog" with traces of toxic metals selenium, mercury, arsenic and iridium, which I have not experienced since I arrived over two weeks ago, can negatively impact the health of sensitive individuals throughout Hawaii, but particularly around the Big Island's Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Kona and Kau.
Kona winds blow north, and can and do bring vog to other islands but it's hard to predict. Scientists try and there's a hotline to call for vog conditions. Keep reading for helpful numbers and links.
According to scientists there is one thing we can count on: The Halemaumau crater of the Kilauea Volcano shall continue to erupt, perhaps, for many years.
I've been fortunate to have experienced only clean air and beauty on Maui and Kauai.
Speaking of beauty, right now the Pacific Ocean is like a cerulean tapestry reaching for the horizon under blue skies and cotton ball clouds. Humpback whales bob up and down near Keawekapu Beach voted most romantic beach in state of Hawaii. Waitresses and patrons at Five Palms Restaurant in Kihea soak in the beauty. I'm sipping coffee, trying to embrace the spirit of writing about vog in paradise.
Maui is closest to the Big Island, and I'm told may experience more vog than Kauai, which is approximately 200 miles north at the top of the Hawaiian island chain. According to the owner of Five Palms restaurant, Simon Vojdani who just said hello,
"I used to live in Los Angeles where I had hay fever and allergies. Since moving to Maui, all my symptoms have gone away. And regarding vog, it's never bothered me though I'm aware it happens about 8-10 times a year. Its duration varies depending on the wind, usually lasting around 24 hours each episode on Maui."
According to the hostess, " I haven't seen vog's "muggy air" on Maui in a few months and it didn't bother me."
For people with asthma or cardiovascular disease it's important to be aware that vog occasionally happens in Hawaii, and if it does when you're visiting or living here, consider air purifiers, inhalers for asthmatics, refraining from outdoor exercise and drinking plenty of water.
For current vog conditions, call the Dept. of Health at 866-767-5044
For more information on Big Island air quality, click here. And more information about vog, click here. Current volcano eruption reports, click here.
P.S. If you live in a polluted city and have ever questioned traffic and smog, and whether respecting your health means escape for cleaner air, you might contribute your thoughts on this blog and join me.My journey began on a Santa Monica mountaintop cloaked by city smog, when winds seemed to whisper,
"Let's go! Out of Los Angeles and into the world, chasing clean air, beauty, and a sustainable life."
I returned to my West Los Angeles apartment where black soot grew on my windowsill much like grandma grew African Violets on hers. (In San Francisco.) I wondered how black were my lungs.
Enough.
I packed my bags. Stored my belongings. And hit the road, maintaining a base at a friend's Los Angeles home.
To follow my clean air search and explore solutions to air pollution together, subscribe to the Chasing Clean Air RSS feed!
