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When Trade Winds Blow...So Will The Vog

Back in May of 2007 I wrote about Blogging about "VOG" in Hawaii and to this day I am still getting comments on that post! I wrote: "VOG" is Volcanic Air Pollution. Oahuexperiences "VOG" when trade winds change direction after there has been volcanic action on the island of Hawaii or otherwise known as the Big Island. The winds will blow this volcanic air pollution towards us and make our little world look all hazy.

The picture to the left was taken April 26th, 2008 on Oahu; and you can barely see the Koolau mountain Range in the background.

Vog has been prevalent due to lava flows so make sure and read the following: A useful Brochure about Emissions from Kilauea Volcano which just came out in March of this year. Sulphur Dioxide gas releases from the volcanic activity into the air.

If you live in a big city then you know what air pollution is. Ours is a form of air pollution but from natural causes :)

American Lung Associations recommends the following:

Drink plenty of liquids to help your body, and it is recommended that warm liquids seem to work best.
Stay indoors and in an air-conditioned area, if possible, and leave the heavy vog area.
Do limit any outdoor and physical activities.
Contact your doctor as soon as possible if any problem develops as respiratory problems might deteriorate much more rapidly in heavy vog conditions.

Picture to the right was taken not far from my home in Waipio Gentry on April 26, 2008. In the faded distance is the Waianae mountain range.

Following is another site with loads of info:

Ten things YOU can do to lessen adverse health effects of VOG
First, it is important to note that individuals may have a wide range of sensitivity to VOG.

Patrick Lambert wrote The VOG blog and It's important to do your homework... regarding the lava flows on the island of Hawaii (aka Big Island) which is resides on. Read more info there!

As you can see by the island map to the left the island of Hawaii aka Big Island is at the bottom of the Hawaiian island chain.

Our island of Oahuis north west but when the winds are blowing this way we get hit by the vog as well.

When the winds change direction....so will the vog. We had a couple of nice days this week. :)

Island Chain map courtesy of the U.S. Geological Surveythrough Wikipedia. All other pictures and content of this post © 2008 Celeste "Sally" Cheeseman, All rights reserved.... and are only the opinion of this author.

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Celeste "Sally" Cheeseman is a Realtor-Associate with Century 21 Liberty Homes in Mililani, Hawaii. With a sharp understanding that a listening ear is the key to a client's needs she serves the island of Oahu (Honolulu County) and all Hawaii Military Relocating to Hawaii, Hawaii Retirees, Hawaii Job Transfers and Hawaii Residents. Website: www.hawaiihomesmarket.com

Posted by Celeste "SALLY" Cheeseman HAWAII Relocations & Real Estate on 04/29/2008 04:29 PM

Comments (23)

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Originally posted at: Hawaii Real Estate & Relocations : When Trade Winds Blow...So Will The Vog

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23 Comments on When Trade Winds Blow...So Will The Vog

APR

2008

Sally this post was very well written, but the layout was outstanding in my opinion. VERY VERY well done!!!!!

And know you do not have to worry about your head fitting through the door :)

There I beat you to it ........... LOL

Sally, I don't remember reading the other post you wrote so I'm glad to have read this one; I've never heard of vog until today and didn't think about what to do in case there had been an eruption. Really interesting information and I loved the map.

Hi Sally,

Wow, I had no idea this happens, guess I missed your earlier post last year. I saw a little of the volcano on the Big Island, 2 years ago. The red glow in the distance one evening.

Woo Hoo, Let's sit down and share some VOG. I suppose most tourists just think of it air pollution, right? Or FOG, maybe. That is a very cool word VOG. An interesting post with lots of things from the health authorities that one should do. Does anyone really do those things? or pretty much just take it all in stride and just go about their business, LOL

George: Wonderful...how about I graciously accept the compliment this time? Gotcha! Thanks!

Carole: Thanks....it isn't the most exciting topic but some need to be informed. On my other post there are people who have health problems.

Sally - I remember the article...you have VOG, we have smog, and fog. And all this on a blog. LOL

Jeff

Lynda: It happens where there's volcanoes :) Big news here...the subdivision that had two houses left is now blocked off by the lava....the lave went all the way to the ocean and kept falling in (if that's what to call it) Flowed off....

William: I really doubt that right now....they have alerts out when it's real bad...health issues and such. Not so much here but then again...people with respiratory problems have a hard time I'm sure. It would probably be the same as big city air pollution.....then again...the reason I live here...it blows away most of the time...and it is a natural health hazard

Jeff: My aren't you the poet this evening LOL! How are you? I hope you all come back again....it just wasn't enough time...next time just bring your lovely wife (no business) and we'll have a good time :)

APR

2008

Sally, I remember so many years ago, living in an suburb of LA and there were SMOG alerts, a couple of times we didnt have to go to school, I totally dont miss that here in the PNW, but I hear the area can get ashfall if one of the "Big ones go". Keep in good health!

I didn't even know of VOG until I read your post. I ive so far away from the city that SMOG will never be an issue but Park County was once a volcanic area. I am sure at some point this valley has seen some VOG.

Thank you for the insight.

Morning Sally,

Thanks for the post. I didn't read the other one. I didn't know about Rain back then.

Juliana: I know they banned burning stuff on the big island and heard from Pat that kids stay in at recess when in school when it gets bad.

Sabrina: Yeah...living by natural hazards (volcanoes) is bound to bring something..especially if it's still active :)

Harold: Hope it gave you some insight :)

Sally- What a bummer! Honolulu is known as a place with the cleanest air on earth. In fact it is ranked #3 in the whole world for clean air! So when the VOG cometh, it messes that up:(

I had never heard of VOG...it must be frustrating. There are remedies for Smog but VOG...you can't fool with Mother Nature

Aloha Sally,

On Maui the vog comes from the southerly winds or Kona winds from the big Island. I know that on the big island having lived in Kona years ago the vog was really bad for breathing. During Kona winds the vog will hang in central Maui but I don't mind to much. Usually Kona winds means the surf is good on the north shore of Maui. I do know that if you have breathing problems the Big Island might be a problem. As far as Maui no worries.

Steven: Same here....and it's not too much of a problem but can be for some with respiratory problems...really doubt ours is even close to what it is on the Big Island either. Thanks for the update on Maui!

Katerina: With wind come all kind of stuff...heck...we get storms that start out in Mexico and Japan ...

Joan: Yup...mother nature ...fir lady....or better known here as Madam Pele :)

MAY

2008

Great info for anyone considering a move to the islands. I'm so glad the trades are back and our vog has blown away. I was lucky and wasn't affected, but many people had a hard time with it.

Georgina: Us too. Some of these days were weird. No rain...but all white all over. No sun. Yuk.

MAY

2008

Thank you, Saller for referencing my blog. Yesterday was clear, today we are in VOG city. However, out of all the places on this island my little tip of the turtle tail is the safest.

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