This May 19, 2018 aerial photo released by the U.S. Geological Survey shows lava fountains from Fissure 20 in Kilauea Volcano’s lower East Rift Zone in Pahoa, Hawaii. (U.S. Geological Survey via AP)
Published May 20, 2018 at 6:50 PM Updated May 21, 2018 at 2:42 PM
Another day, another new danger for residents near Hawaii’s Kilauea volcano. Lava is mixing with ocean water, creating a dangerous mix of hydrochloric acid and glass particles called “laze.”
This is in addition to Sulfur Dioxide gas, which was already threatening some who ignored evacuation orders. CGTN’s Phil Lavelle reports from the volcano’s frontline, where he gained access to a property in the evacuation zone.
Each plume of smoke is a sign of another eruption, or another property being claimed by nature. Residents are quickly leaving, taking whatever fits in their trucks.
Few are heading the opposite direction and into the red zone. Leilani is blocked off by police, with only residents allowed past the cordon.
Lava flows into the ocean near Pahoa, Hawaii, Sunday, May 20, 2018. Kilauea volcano that is oozing, spewing and exploding on Hawaii's Big Island has gotten more hazardous in recent days, with rivers of molten rock pouring into the ocean Sunday and flying lava causing the first major injury. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
FILE- In this Saturday, May 19, 2018, file photo released by the U.S. Geological Survey, lava emerges from fissures near Pahoa, Hawaii. The eruption of Mount Kilauea in Hawaii is a reminder to business owners, even those nowhere near any of the 169 volcanoes in the U.S., that they could be vulnerable to nature’s most destructive forces. And that they need to be sure they’re insured against disasters like tornadoes, earthquakes, hurricanes and flooding. (U.S. Geological Survey via AP, File)
PAHOA, HI - MAY 12: Lava flows at a lava fissure in the aftermath of eruptions from the Kilauea volcano on Hawaii's Big Island, on May 12, 2018 in Pahoa, Hawaii. The U.S. Geological Survey said a recent lowering of the lava lake at the volcano's Halemaumau crater Òhas raised the potential for explosive eruptionsÓ at the volcano. Authorities have confirmed the fissure is the 16th to open. Mario Tama/Getty Images/AFP
Members of the media record a wall of lava entering the ocean near Pahoa, Hawaii, Sunday, May 20, 2018. Kilauea volcano, oozing, spewing and exploding on Hawaii's Big Island, has gotten more hazardous in recent days, with rivers of molten rock pouring into the ocean and flying lava causing the first major injury. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
KAPOHO, HI - MAY 17: Lava is blurred as it erupts from a Kilauea volcano fissure, above treetops, on Hawaii's Big Island on May 17, 2018 in Kapoho, Hawaii. The U.S. Geological Survey said the volcano erupted explosively in the early morning hours today launching a plume about 30,000 feet into the sky. Mario Tama/Getty Images/AFP
KAPOHO, HI - MAY 18: A lava fountain from a Kilauea volcano fissure erupts, while forming a new cone, on Hawaii's Big Island on May 18, 2018 in Kapoho, Hawaii. The U.S. Geological Survey said the volcano erupted explosively on May 17 launching a plume about 30,000 feet into the sky. Mario Tama/Getty Images/AFP
A Leilani Estates evacuee tries out a dust mask at The Hub, as Vog levels were particularly high in the area that day in Pahoa, Hawaii on May 17, 2018.
Hawaii's Kilauea volcano erupted from its summit early May 17, 2018, shooting a huge plume of ash miles into the sky and prompting authorities to urge area residents to take cover.The Hawaii Volcano Observatory said the explosion within Kilauea's Halemaumau crater -- the biggest since the volcano became more active on May 3 -- had produced a volcanic cloud that reached as high as 30,000 feet (9,000 meters) and was drifting downwind to the northeast.
/ AFP PHOTO / Ronit FAHL
KAPOHO, HI - MAY 20: A lava fountain from a Kilauea volcano fissure erupts, while forming a new cone, on Hawaii's Big Island on May 20, 2018 in Kapoho, Hawaii. The U.S. Geological Survey said the volcano erupted explosively on May 17 launching a plume about 30,000 feet into the sky. Mario Tama/Getty Images/AFP
KAPOHO, HI - MAY 20: Lava from a Kilauea volcano fissure erupts at dawn on Hawaii's Big Island on May 20, 2018 in Kapoho, Hawaii. The U.S. Geological Survey said the volcano erupted explosively on May 17 launching a plume about 30,000 feet into the sky. Mario Tama/Getty Images/AFP
Plumes of steam rise as lava enters the ocean near Pahoa, Hawaii, Sunday, May 20, 2018. Kilauea volcano that is oozing, spewing and exploding on Hawaii's Big Island has gotten more hazardous in recent days, with rivers of molten rock pouring into the ocean Sunday and flying lava causing the first major injury. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
PAHOA, HI - MAY 20: Steam plumes rise as lava enters the Pacific Ocean, after flowing to the water from a Kilauea volcano fissure, on Hawaii's Big Island on May 20, 2018 near Pahoa, Hawaii. Officials are concerned that 'laze', a dangerous product produced when hot lava hits cool ocean water, will affect residents. Laze, a word combination of lava and haze, contains hydrochloric acid steam along with volcanic glass particles. Mario Tama/Getty Images/AFP
In this Saturday, May 19, 2018, photo released by the U.S. Geological Survey, lava flows from fissures near Pahoa, Hawaii. Kilauea volcano began erupting more than two weeks ago and has burned dozens of homes, forced people to flee and shot up plumes of steam from its summit that led officials to distribute face masks to protect against ash particles. (U.S. Geological Survey via AP)
PAHOA, HI - MAY 20: A man points as a steam plume rises while lava enters the Pacific Ocean, after flowing to the water from a Kilauea volcano fissure, on Hawaii's Big Island on May 20, 2018 near Pahoa, Hawaii. Officials are concerned that 'laze', a dangerous product produced when hot lava hits cool ocean water, will affect residents. Laze, a word combination of lava and haze, contains hydrochloric acid steam along with volcanic glass particles. Mario Tama/Getty Images/AFP
KAPOHO, HI - MAY 19: A USGS (U.S. Geological Survey) geologist holds a collected lava rock to be analyzed from a recent Lava flow from a Kilauea volcano fissure on Hawaii's Big Island on May 19, 2018 in Kapoho, Hawaii. The U.S. Geological Survey said the volcano erupted explosively on May 17 launching a plume about 30,000 feet into the sky. Mario Tama/Getty Images/AFP
Steam rises as lava flows into the ocean near Pahoa, Hawaii, Sunday, May 20, 2018. Kilauea volcano that is oozing, spewing and exploding on Hawaii's Big Island has gotten more hazardous in recent days, with rivers of molten rock pouring into the ocean Sunday and flying lava causing the first major injury. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
ADDS DATE MONDAY MAY 21-Lava explodes above a tree on Kilauea volcano, Sunday, May 20, 2018 near Pahoa, Hawaii. Officials say a small eruption has occurred at the Kilauea volcano summit, producing an ash plume that reached about 7,000 feet. The County of Hawaii issued a civil defense message early Monday, May 21, 2018, about the eruption and warning that the ash plume could affect surrounding areas. (AP Photo/Caleb Jones)
Lava from Kilauea volcano lights up the night sky near Pahoa, Hawaii, Saturday, May 19, 2018. (AP Photo/Caleb Jones)
New dangers from Hawaii's Kilauea volcano
New dangers from Hawaii's Kilauea volcano
Jason Green, one of those who has left, took us back in with him. Most have voluntarily left, turning the neighborhood into a ghost town. Only a handful of have stayed, worried of burglaries if they go.
“There’s been looting here, so we’ve put signs up in our windows,” Green explained.
This US Geological Survey (USGS) image obtained May 20, 2018, shows channelized lava emerges on Kilauea Volcano’s lower East Rift Zone on May 19, 2018,on Hawaii’s Big Island. (AFP PHOTO / US Geological Survey)
He and his husband David only moved here from California six months ago, swapping the risk of earthquakes for the risk of earthquakes and eruptions.
They’ve had both so far. But their house is still standing, unlike many others who are less fortunate.
“I feel lucky that we’re not at risk of losing our home to the lava, but it’s definitely a harmful living condition,” Green said. “We are downwind from it, so we are getting all of the harmful Sulfur Dioxide gases.”
Fissures have been opening up in multiple locations, releasing lava and steam. But it’s that Sulfur Dioxide which is the silent danger, and a real risk to health.
“I have dogs, and I can’t put a respirator on my dogs,” Green said, explaining why he and his husband have chosen to leave. “I don’t know what kind of long term exposure this is going to have on our bodies.”
This is one of the most amazing and awe-inspiring things I have ever seen in my life, and it is happening right this very second in front of my eyes.. pic.twitter.com/Y9UdaW65Mb
Those residents who have decided to remain in their homes have been told to stay indoors. If they do go outside, then authorities say they should wear a mask. The issue, however, is that they work if for ash falling from the sky, but not the toxic fumes from the Sulfur Dioxide. The only protection is to leave and come back when authorities give the all clear.
And so Hawaii waits, trying to stay positive.
“There’s an aloha spirit here, and it makes you not want to leave. Makes you want to stay here.”
Some pray to the island’s God, leaving gifts and hoping the eruption will end. She’s not showing any signs of hearing them, however, or at least not yet.
DIGITAL EXTRA: New dangers from Hawaii’s Kilauea volcano
CGTN’s Phil Lavelle gives us the sights and sounds of around Hawaii’s Kilauea volcano, where new gases from the erupting lava may pose a threat to those nearby.
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This May 19, 2018 aerial photo released by the U.S. Geological Survey shows lava fountains from Fissure 20 in Kilauea Volcano’s lower East Rift Zone in Pahoa, Hawaii. (U.S. Geological Survey via AP)
