[tevake]

I lived on the Kona side Big Island in the 70s and 80s. If you don't live right in the area where the flows are likely, the active volcano seems creative or constructive. Building more island. That's how the whole place comes to be in the first place. Plus Pele is revered as the creator of the aina.

That was all well and good till the mid 80s and this phase of continual eruption had gone on for a few years and the vog became a constant presence on the Kona side.
That far away from the flows and vents most of the sulphur smell is gone but the raspiness on the throat and lungs is still there. Plus the visuals of living in a cloud of thick air got to me.

That's when I started sailing to Kauai for summers. Then back to the big Island for winters when the north shore of Kauai is closed out, anchorage wise with the big winter swells. For a few years I'd spend winters in south Kohala. Farther north, away from the most of the vog.

After quite a few years of sailing back and forth it became clear that the eruption was just not going to quit, and by then Kauai had captured me. So it became north shore for summers and as long as I dared into the winter season. Then Na Wiliwili on the east side for the rest of the year.

So Hawaii Hell, hardly!
its a very dynamic volcano island paridise in the middle of the most pristene ocean space on earth. The main thing hellish about it is the financial reality, cost of living vs average income sucks.
That plus my ex lives there, and it breaks my heart to be around her. Those are the reasons Im not still there. TMI. Sorry.
Just want to share a life story lived in Hawaii with the volcano,
it's not hell.

Cheers Richard