Husband and I decided that we would enjoy the Big Island, as we feel it would be a nice compromise for us, given that I love kauai and he loves maui. However, I am now quite worried about the VOG. We will be going in may and would like to stay at the four seasons resort in kailua-kona. I never have suffered from allergies before, living in florida and now new york, however, in the past 2 years, every time I travel to Los Angeles, I get an absolutely miserable sinus infection, where I can hardly breathe, and cannot get out of bed. Does this mean, I will undoubtably be miserable in hawaii? Should we go back to kauai or maui instead? How bad is the VOG and is it predictable? I've gotten online and today the vog index is a 6. Would I be miserable there?

From your other thread:

No the VOG is not predictable. The plumes could stop tomorrow or the winds could shift from the trades to the Kona winds and the west side would be clear. If you have such a bad allery/sinus problems maybe you should play it safe and go back to Kauai or Maui, would hate to see your vacation ruined by spending it all in bed with a sinus infection.

I can only share my own experience. I was there just 2 weeks ago. I stayed in Waikoloa (about 15 minutes north of the 4 Seasons) I didn't have a problem with the VOG at all and neither did my husband. And we could see the VOG.

Sinus irrigation might be your savior. It works miracles for me.

http://www.allergy-sinusrelief.com/

or the travel version:

http://www.squipusa.com/Nasaline/nas_about.html

There is no doubt that the VOG and sulfur dioxide are at an unprecedented level.

I was there in March and was really bothered by the "air." It definitely reminded me of L.A. It covered pretty much the entire island at that time. Our friends who live there report the same.

As previously indicated however, a shift in winds will change it completely.

Aloha,
http://beatofhawaii.com

According to the news this morning, the winds have shifted and now Oahu and Kauai will be getting the VOG. Supposed to last for a few days at least before the trade winds return.

The VOG here on Kaua'i has never been bad in comparison to Oahu or the Big Island. Some haze yes, but we are the furthest away from the volcano.

beatofhawaii.com