• Home
  • Hawaii Travel News
  • Travel Tips
  • Hawaii Deals
  • Culture and Events
  • Kudos
  • Featured Posts

Beat of Hawaii

Hawaii Travel News, Tips, Culture, Events, And Deals.

Hawaii Says Media Hype Overblown On Mauna Loa Eruption Prospect

October 29, 2022 by Beat of Hawaii 17 Comments

Mauna Loa Volcano on Hawaii's Big Island.

Today, the state’s marketing arm, HVCB, is warning the media to back off on its hyped reporting about the Mauna Loa volcano on the Big Island. They said, “Maunaloa is not erupting, and there are no signs of an imminent eruption at this time.” Recent news of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) monitoring Maunaloa volcano on the island of Hawaiʻi should cause no reason for travelers to alter their travel plans to Hawaiʻi Island at this time. HVO continues to monitor any changes at Maunaloa, issuing daily updates until further notice.” Mauna Loa volcano on the Big Island last erupted in 1984.

There is no reason at this time for travelers to change or alter their leisure or business plans.

It seems as though media hype is hurting Big Island tourism.

Everything is operating normally on the Big Island, and we can confirm that as your editors were there over the past week. All flights into Kona Airport and Hilo Airport are also operating normally, although there are extensive Hawaii flight delays that visitors should take into account. These are unrelated to Mauna Loa.

The only thing that has changed is that “as a precautionary measure, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park has closed the Maunaloa summit backcountry until further notice.” However, Maunaloa Road and the Maunaloa Lookout, perched at 6,662 feet elevation, are still open to the public.

Visit the USGS site at https://www.usgs.gov/volcanoes/mauna-loa.

What USGS Has To Say:

It’s been 38 years since the last eruption, and since 1950, there have been only two such events. Most of the previous 33 eruptions happened between 1843 and 1950. USGS states, “The (Yellow) ADVISORY Alert level does not mean that an eruption of Mauna Loa is imminent or that progression to an eruption from the current level of unrest is certain.” The locations of recent shallow earthquakes are similar to those before the 1975 and 1984 Mauna Loa eruptions, but other precursory signals are missing.

When Mauna Loa Erupted in 1984 vs current conditions.

Mauna Loa 1984 Eruption
1984 Mauna Loa Eruption. USGS.

When Mauna Loa last erupted in 1984, it followed 3 years of increasing earthquake activity. These reached a frequency of 2-3 earthquakes per minute following a 6.6 earthquake in November of 1983. By March of 1984, small earthquakes began at a high frequency. And it is interesting to note that the telescopes at nearby Mauna Kea, some 26 miles away, stopped working due to constant earthquake-induced vibration.

The current earthquake unrest consists of 40–50 per day, which is double what it had been. That in no way compares with the 2,880 to 4,320 daily earthquakes that began the 1984 eruption.

Some examples of recent hyped media article titles:

CNN. “Dozens of earthquakes detected as Hawaii’s Mauna Loa, world’s largest active volcano, remains in ‘state of heightened unrest.’

People. “Hawaii Residents Warned of Possible ‘Lava Disaster’ as Volcano Rumbles.”

Today. “Mauna Loa, world’s largest active volcano, shows signs it may erupt.”

AP. “Hawaii’s Big Island gets warning as huge volcano rumbles.”

ABC: “Mauna Loa volcano sets off warning signals in Hawaii.”

Forbes: “Hawaii travel update: Mauna Loa showing signs of possible eruption.”

Photo Credit: Mauna Loa photo from 2018.

 

Disclosure: We receive a small commission on purchases from some of the links on Beat of Hawaii. These links cost you nothing and provide income necessary to offer our website to you. Mahalo! Privacy Policy and Disclosures.

Filed Under: Hawaii Travel News

Get Breaking Hawaii Travel News First

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Comment policy:
* No profanity, rudeness, personal attacks, or bullying.
* Hawaii focused only. General comments won't be published.
* No links or UPPER CASE text. English please.
* No duplicate posts or using multiple names.
* Use a real first name.
* A "please" or "thanks" is required for a reply.
* Comments edited/published at our sole discretion.
* Beat of Hawaii has no relationship with our commentors.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *


Comments limited to 750 characters.


Please, use first name and last initial only.

* Denotes required fields. By commenting you agree to our Privacy Policy.

Comments

  1. Bucky says

    November 29, 2022 at 5:36 am

    So this didn’t age well.

    3
    Reply
  2. Andy M says

    October 31, 2022 at 8:52 am

    We live here on the slopes on Mauna Loa. The fissure from the 1955 eruption runs right through my property. It created a ridge so I just look at it as more of a barrier to a future flow. I dont worry about it.

    1
    Reply
  3. Frank M says

    October 30, 2022 at 8:43 pm

    Stationed at Marine Corps Air Station at Kaneohe Bay,Terr.Hawaii 1958-1960 Anti Tank Batt(Ontos) Reconnaissance Batt(Recon) an Infantry Batt. and Helicopter Batt. 3rd Marine Division. I served two years Anti Tank B Company. Island of Hawaii a active volcano Mauna Loa did it erupt about a month after Drills were held on Hawaii Island.(Hilo). If memory service me correctly.

    Reply
    • Frank M. says

      October 30, 2022 at 8:59 pm

      The above comments concerning the volcano eruption on the large Island of Hawaii were meant to be more like a verification. Due to the current news taking place in Hawaii at this time. Only this and nothing more. I thank this media for the chance of expressing or asking of questions.

      Reply
  4. Roy says

    October 30, 2022 at 11:12 am

    We have been coming to the Big Island for a good many years. I think there is always a bit of FOG around. It’s just what the Big Island is about. But what I like the best is seeing the snow on the top third of the island as you fly in.
    Aloha

    1
    Reply
  5. Roger S says

    October 30, 2022 at 5:53 am

    These headlines are not surprising. Today’s journalism is about “click bait” to increase views to secure greater advertising revenue.

    What’s really alarming, is for all the govt spending in the past year, the Jaggar museum, and a few other spots along the chain of craters road are still in disrepair. The HVNP and its paying visitors deserve better.

    5
    Reply
  6. Deborah L says

    October 30, 2022 at 4:41 am

    Would you please let me know if the flights are continuing to be delayed at Honolulu airport? We are scheduled to fly in on the first of November.
    Thank you very much

    Reply
    • Beat of Hawaii says

      October 30, 2022 at 9:18 am

      Hi Deborah.

      You can keep checking here: https://flightaware.com/live/cancelled/today/PHNL.

      Aloha.

      1
      Reply
  7. Ann says

    October 29, 2022 at 3:17 pm

    My daughter and her husband are visiting Kona. They have never seen such crowds this time of year. Thanks for your info!

    1
    Reply
  8. Mike S. says

    October 29, 2022 at 2:34 pm

    Lots of mixed signals regarding Hawaii tourism. Governor to be wants to charge a tourist tax. It appears that the “locals” are split 50-50 as to wanting tourists. Rental car agencies gouging tourists. From outward appearances the possible eruption of Mauna Loa appears to be a minor issue regarding lack of tourism on the Big Island. Maybe the “golden goose” has finally been killed!

    10
    Reply
    • Trudy C says

      October 29, 2022 at 2:44 pm

      Agree. It’s not media hype that is killing tourism.

      3
      Reply
    • CAPT_ALOHA says

      October 29, 2022 at 3:20 pm

      I’ve lived in the Territory of Hawai’i (pre-statehood) off and on going back to the ’50s. The sugar cane industry, pineapples, and fishing are either dead or mere shadows of the economic engines they used to be and we did not have a budget or unemployment problem back then.

      Then came the tourism boom bringing with it foreign and Mainland money big time; but as it was seen as the last gasp economic “salvation” of the Islands, it was “O.K.” But now — “locals” are split 50/50 on whether or not they “want tourists” ??? And how many of those folks are themselves imports from the Mainland who have decided they’re Kamaʻāina?

      I’ve never seen such group self-destructive behavior as I’ve witnessed in the Islands since Statehood.

      7
      Reply
  9. Kimo says

    October 29, 2022 at 2:32 pm

    That’s a laugher if I ever heard one. Media hype playing havoc with tourism. You’ve got your next governor planning on imposing a fee as a means of cutting back on tourism and the “media “ does the job for him.

    As an aside, I’ll be on the Big Island in December for my last trip to Hawaii and if Mauna Loa isn’t actively erupting I plan to do my usual hike up the mountain. Shouldn’t be too crowded.

    7
    Reply
  10. Eldo R. says

    October 29, 2022 at 12:54 pm

    I don’t think that the media headlines are overblown. There actually is unusual and abnormal seismic activity currently on the Big Island. That is the fact that cannot be disputed. While it might not fit the pattern of the most recent volcanic eruption‘s, vulcanology is not an exact science. The public and the tourists have a right to know. Yet another reason why the State of Hawaii must get off the tourism gravy train. It’s too unpredictable.

    6
    Reply
  11. Lisa T says

    October 29, 2022 at 11:39 am

    When I was there a couple of weeks ago, we felt an small earth movement in Waikoloa. Apparently it was due to a larger earthquake that day in Pahala. So Mauna Loa may not be ready to erupt but earthquake activity has definitely increased in that area closer to the volcanoes. Being born and raised in Southern California, it didn’t upset me much. Some visitors may have an issue with it though.

    4
    Reply
  12. Rob T says

    October 29, 2022 at 10:48 am

    Reminds me of the scene in Jaws when Chief Brody wants to warn the tourists about the shark. The Mayor says, “Amity is a tourist town”. We all know what happens next.

    14
    Reply
    • Steve S says

      November 28, 2022 at 3:30 pm

      The comment was great. What’s the mayor saying now?

      Reply

Get Breaking Hawaii Travel News First

Most popular on Beat of Hawaii

  • Could Hawaiian Dreamliners Be Waylaid By Huge UAL Order Sneak Peek: Hawaiian Airlines Dreamliner Is On

    40 Comments

  • When three Hawaii flights to/from San Diego, all experienced flight diversions crossing the Pacific. What causes these flight diversions? Within 48-Hours, 3 Alaska Air Hawaii Flights Divert Over Pacific

    86 Comments

  • Hawaiian Airlines flight diversion makes 7 total in just 2 weeks. Hawaiian Joins Mid-Air Diversions | Now 7 In Three Weeks

    41 Comments

  • Southwest Hawaii Getting 4 Upgrades | Should You Care? Go Big and Predatory: Southwest Hawaii And Costco

    158 Comments

  • Hawaiian Airlines 789 Dreamliner $700 Fare Change On “No-Change-Fee” $100 Hawaii Airfare

    54 Comments

  • Classless Southwest Hawaii Review: Unique In The Market Classless Southwest Hawaii Review SJC to LIH: Quirky, Unique

    54 Comments

Home » News » Hawaii Travel News » Hawaii Says Media Hype Overblown On Mauna Loa Eruption Prospect

Beat of Hawaii featured in

TripAdvisor
Budget Travel
Frommer's
USA Today
NBC News
The Seattle Time
ABC News
  • Home
  • About
  • Contact
  • Subscribe
  • YouTube
  • Facebook
  • Privacy
  • Disclosures

Copyright © 2023 · Beat Of Hawaii. All Rights Reserved.

sponsored