Question: We visit Hawaii every year or so and were disappointed that so much remains closed at the volcano. There was a crisis last year, so we understood then but had hoped for more this time. Will the Thurston Lava Tube ever reopen?
Answer: Yes, Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park plans to reopen the Thurston Lava Tube by 2020, if not sooner, a park spokeswoman said Wednesday. The tunnel formed by molten lava about 550 years ago is among the Big Island park’s most popular features, enjoyed by generations of visitors.
As you know, last year’s eruption of Kilauea Volcano reshaped the Big Island and closed most of the park from mid-May to late September. There were tens of thousands of earthquakes, ash plumes, lava flows and the dramatic collapse of the Kilauea caldera. It took time to assess and repair the damage; you can read a timeline of events at 808ne.ws/recovery. Visitors’ patience is appreciated.
While most of the national park has reopened, certain areas remain off-limits, including the lava tube, whose Hawaiian name is Nahuku.
The National Park Service has been comparing LIDAR images of the lava tube from before and after last year’s eruption to assess its condition and safety. LIDAR uses an aerial-laser scanning system to create 3D maps that highlight changes in terrain. Officials have expressed confidence that the lava tube will be safe to reopen, but the exact date has not been announced.
The rainforest trail to the lava tube is near the summit of Kilauea Volcano off Crater Rim Drive; its popularity made parking a problem long before last year’s events. Staff are using the closure time to improve parking and related safety issues near the trailhead, according to the park’s website.
For a full listing of what is open or closed at the national park, check 808ne.ws/volopen.
Q: Why can’t or doesn’t the Honolulu airport open up the underutilized upper floor(s) of the rental car section of the parking garage, and where do the DOT airport employees park?
A: “The upper level or roof levels of all three public parking structures at the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) are open and available for public parking. There was a brief period where the roof level of the Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 structures were temporarily closed during non- peak travel seasons to install new solar panels, however that project is complete,” said Tim Sakahara, spokesman for the state Department of Transportation.
As for airport employees, they “park in the designated employee lots G, Q and R, as well as a limited number of stalls in the International, Terminal 1 and 2 structures,” Sakahara said.
Q: Did the guy who ate the slug on a dare live here? I feel like rat lungworm has been in the news so much, people have to know by now not to do that.
A: No, none of the three recently confirmed, unrelated cases on the Big Island involved Hawaii residents; all were visitors, according to the state Department of Health. One of the three was infected when he ate a parasite-carrying slug on a dare.
Auwe
Auwe to the mother who brought her family onto the Ewa Villages Golf Course’s 10th hole on the Memorial Day afternoon. Although the grass is beautiful, the area around the green is not a place to picnic and play ball. You’re endangering your children, including the toddler! And please don’t walk through the course to get home; errant golf balls could happen. Think of their safety. — V.M.
Mahalo
I was impressed with the staff that handled my Hawaii driver’s license renewal. A big mahalo to all. My appointment was May 23 at 8:20 a.m. I was surprised how organized they are and how quickly it was finished. — Patrick Carvalho
Write to Kokua Line at Honolulu Star-Advertiser, 7 Waterfront Plaza, Suite 210, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., Honolulu 96813; call 529-4773; fax 529-4750; or email kokualine@staradvertiser.com.
