Lava hits the ocean/Jack Thompson update

March 6th, 2008

Well, it finally made it, Pele’s liquid ooze hit the ocean. Prior to this, there were 5 people evacuated from the area. One of them included Royal Gardens subdivisions most famous hold out, Jack Thompson. The following is part of a story from the Honolulu Star Bulletin:

Hawaii County Civil Defense ordered five people to evacuate from the area Tuesday, just ahead of advancing flows. The tip of the Kilauea Volcano flow, which was above the gravel access road Tuesday, crossed the road yesterday, Kauahikaua [of HVO] said. The evacuees included two people in a trailer, which they simply drove away, and a man in a tent next to an illegal structure he was building at Pacific Paradise Oceanfront Estates, said Royal Gardens resident Jack Thompson.

But Thompson, counted as one of the evacuees, said he planned to go back tomorrow, since he has guests arriving by helicopter at his hillside bed-and-breakfast on Saturday. And fellow Royal Gardens resident Dean Schneider, also counted as a evacuee, is still in the subdivision, Thompson said. Thompson was not concerned about county security personnel posted to keep people out. “I just tell them I’m a resident, I know my way and I’m going home,” he said. The mere fact that a lava flow hundreds of feet wide now separates his house from the outside world did not bother him. “I just ride right across,” he said. Thompson has even ridden his motorcycle across red, flowing lava in the past. “It probably isn’t hotter than a road in Texas,” he said.

I’ve gotta say my hats off to Jack. He’s happy in his piece of paradise and he’s not leaving it unless the lava sets the house ablaze. If Jack, a self proclaimed hermit, gets past this brush with Madame Pele unscathed, he may just get a few more visitors than he’s used to since he’s quickly becoming a media darling. Enjoy your privacy while you can Jack!

Comments

7 Comments so far

Pua on March 9, 2008 1:56 pm
What a story! I totally understand that Jack does not want to leave but he, more than anybody of us Big Islanders, understands that Madame Pele is not predictable.

Our visitors to Volcanoes National Park love to see an active flow, especially the spectacular one when the lava flows into the ocean. Come in the dark and it’s like a firework!

Pleaaaase, pay respect to the Park rangers signs and don’t leave the permitted paths. Stay save on your Big Island vacation!
Aloha, Pua
Chuck Denny on March 13, 2008 4:04 pm
After 2 recent overnight visits to Mr. Thompsons residence….January 11-12 and March 8-10, the wrath of Madame Pele defies visual description as I took to the charred trails 1/4 mile from Jack’s residence and navigated thru the landscape of the upper pali where a’a and pahoehoe flows were liquid orange. There is no question why Jack considers his cedar chateau paradise in the ultimate degree. It is without a doubt one of the most rewarding experiences…..mentally and spiritually, that I have ever had. Jack……..see you again soon.
Hank on July 6, 2008 10:59 pm
Is he still there? Has the lava taken over?
Pele on July 6, 2008 11:29 pm
I believe Jack’s still there. Trust me, the day Jack leaves Royal Gardens it won’t be hard to find an article about it. He’s a legend!
Chuck on July 9, 2008 1:08 am
Jack ain’t leaving. Jack is the patriarch. Jack is one in a million. I visited Jack 6/20 thru 6/22/08 for the 3rd time this year and spoke with him today. Madame Pele in all her infinite power moved 2000 feet southwest in 2 days from the King Street breakout to what was once Prince Avenue. Amazingly, when I spoke with Jack today, he was motorcycling at 1:00AM in the morning with the sky bright orange from the surface glows. He also kindly extinguished the embers on Dean Schneider’s shanty while Dean was away.

Jack…..may your cedar lodge continue to be my refuge on my continued visits to Royal Gardens.
makanani on July 18, 2008 6:23 pm
Aloha no!
I need to contact Jack and do not know how… can any one help?
Some awesome his place and the way he has chosen to live. Maikai Loa!
Chuck Denny on August 5, 2008 7:47 pm
Makanani,

Contact me at kokonuthouse_hawaii@msn.com. Out of respect for Mr. Thompson and his privacy I will provide you his contact info privately.

Mahalo