Best City on the Big Island to avoid Vog?

Question

Hi there, thanks for reading my Q. My husband, infant daughter and grandmother have the opportunity to move to the big island for a job. His job involves traveling all over the island, so we have some freedom in choosing where we live. The only thing holding us up is the Vog issue. I've gotten a lot of info from the Hawaii DOH website, but I still don't understand how severe of an issue it is. I realize that right now it's worse because of the volcanic activity. Is there an area of the island that consistantly has bad air quality? Is there an area that is rarely affected by Vog? From your perspective, is it enough of an issue that you would turn the job down? Does it compare to any mainland cities' smog problems?

Answer 1

I'm here (Big Island) right now and there is a grey overcast look pretty much at all times in Kona and even up into Waimea/Kamuela(Mountain Area) depending on which way the wind is blowing the Vog is reaching Oahu...fortunately I don't have respiratory issues(BUT...even I am a little stuffy) babies and older people are especially susceptible to problems with poor air quality..so I would keep in mind the whole families health issues when making your decision. Aloha A Hui ho.

Answer 2

The vog is terrible right now! I read somewhere that it hasn't been this bad since 1930. The Kona side of the island (west side) has been shrouded in gray/brown skies for over a week now and it doesn't appear to be letting up. I lived on the Kona side for a year and the vog didn't bother me. Maybe because I was originally from L.A. and was just used to breathing smog...I don't know. Now I live on Kauai and the vog has even drifted up here and is making a lot of people ill. It affects people differently. Some people's asthma acts up; others cough and feel as if they have allergy symptoms; others don't notice it much at all. My advice to you would be to rent a place on the east side of the island on a short term basis and see how you like it. That's the wetter, slower-paced side of the Big Island, but since vog tends to drift west, it might be less voggy. Rent short term and if you don't like it, you can move elsewhere. You can also check out the forums on www.konaweb.com. Feel free to ask a question there or just read the forums. They're talking a lot about vog lately as the forums are for people who are moving to/living on the Big Island and for people who plan to visit. Good luck!

Answer 3

I've lived in the islands for 33 years & the vog has never been this bad. It is usually only a temporary inconvenience, but it has been a real problem since the volcanic activity changed earlier this spring. Who knows how long it will last? Your best bet for limiting your vog impact is Hilo. I would only avoid coming here if someone has asthma. Otherwise, I think it could be OK.

Answer 4

I live on Oahu and we even get the Vog here pretty bad...2 weeks ago the vog was so bad it lasted for 3 days.



When the wind blows hard, it reaches our island and people with asthma and all upper respiratory problems have to avoid being outside.

Answer 5

North Kohala is the best area for vog, Kona is bad, Volcano and Kau area is bad, Puna is bad, and Hilo has some bad days if the wind doesn't blow.



North Kohala, is usually clear.



Here is my page on Vog index in my website I am building on the Big Island

http://www.bigisland-bigisland.com/Big-Island-Vog-Index.html

Answer 6

volcano and mauakea area have alot of vog

I live in hilo it aint great but aint bad bad

I am not dure about kona