Aloha everyone, just want to update you on Kumu Aina farm 5/16/2018. I am sure you have heard that volcanic eruptions from 19 fissures on the East Rift Zone are going off in Puna, Hawaii. This has been occurring for the past 10 days. The closest one to our farm is number 17. We had to evacuate our large farm animals including cows and goats. We still have 5 dogs, 4 cats, 2 sheep, about 30 chickens, 20 quail and 3 turkeys to move, if need be.
Our seven goats have been relocated for now
There has been many people helping with the animals and we are very fortunate. The cows are at a lush pasture in Keaau and my milking goats are in Mountain View and Pahoa. It was hard to see them go, but I feel they are in the best possible place. We hope to be reunited very soon. You can imagine in a farming community like ours, many people had to move out their livestock.
We have recently rented a house to go to if we must evacuate due to lava or deadly gases. Prior to that we had offers to stay at friend’s houses but nothing was permanent. It won’t be easy to afford the house, especially if we cannot farm our land. Many people are staying in shelters and don’t have places to go, so we are very thankful.
USGS map of the area. We are in the upper left, see yellow dot.
https://www.gofundme.com/volcano-leaves-family-homeless?member=150268
Some of our closest friends and family have either lost their homes or cannot live in them due to their proximity to the fissures and toxic gases. I have established a GoFundMe page for Kane and Zane Saffery. Please kokua, read and share.
aerial view of fissures
Number 17 active, but this morning the forward flow that was heading towards the ocean and threatening an evacuation roadway has stopped. It’s seems it is common that the volcano will have different volumes of flow.
It has been a hectic week for all in Puna and we are very frazzled for sure. We have been through a lot. Prior to the volcano going off, it rained for over 3 months. The nice weather arrived at the same time the volcano did. We will need one big party after all this is over! Much Mahalo for reading.