Lava hits the ocean/Jack Thompson update

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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!

County readies safe lava viewing area

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As fingers of lava now slowly creep past Royal Gardens subdivision, Mayor Harry Kim knows the county needs to set up a safe lava viewing area for people.  The lava, now heading to cross old highway 130, always brings spectators and yesterday as many as 75 people were there to watch Pele in action.  County workers began setting up parking areas, portable bathrooms, traffic controls and a trail that may be ready in a few days for lava junkies.

Lava already cut off the main motorcycle path used by the remaining Royal Gardens hold out, Jack Thompson who has been getting quite a bit of attention lately based off of Pele’s choosen liquid path.  I saw he walked 3 miles to the house but haven’t seen anything else that confirms he left for good.  We’re pullin’ for ya Jack.  You’ve had the right idea all these years!  Get out the gin and make your offering!

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