We are going to the islands in July, and are currently scheduled to stay in Volcano Village for two nights, then at the Fairmont Orchid. Both our kids have really bad allergies and our daughter has asthma. I've been hearing a lot about VOG, and am now wondering whether it may be a problem in July? Should I be thinking about a different island? Thanks so much for your help and advice!

shellseeker~NO advertising allowed on Fodor's.

Weadles~most likely the vog will continue through July, but it can not be predicted obviously. If the volcano stops flowing and spewing then there will be no VOG. I would cancel your stay in Volcano Village and spend more time at the Orchid or somewhere else on the Kohala Coast. Up to now, there hasn't been too much of a problem in the Fairmont Orchid area of the island, though VOG is visible.

Another island? You can't predict where the VOG will go. Last week the trade winds stopped and the other islands had VOG also, especially Oahu and Maui and to a slight extent Kauai.

matnikstym,

Thank you so much for your help. I really appreciate your advice! I guess I'll go ahead and cancel our stay at Volcano Village ( SIGH!). Do you think the Fairmont Orchid area is worth a visit or should we try to go to another island?

What's VOG?

I was wondering too.

From Wikipedia

VOG is a blended word from the words "volcanic" and "smog," and is a volcanic smog formed when sulfur dioxide and other pollutants emitted by an erupting volcano mix with oxygen and moisture in the presence of sunlight. The term is most often applied to the island of Hawaii, where the Kilauea volcano has been erupting continuously since 1983. Kilauea emits an estimate of 2,000 tons of VOG every day.

I had horrendous allergies when I lived in NYC. The vog does not impact me here. And PS I HAVE NO ALLERGIES IN HAWAII. Live on Oahu.

Remember Hawaii has little to no pollution from industry the way mainland cities do.

Daughter has asthma? Any reading should tell you that going near the volcano with asthma is not wise, vog or no vog.

If your big island trip revolves around volcano and your daughter has asthma yeah I think its time for a new plan, vog or no vog.

Thanks, Sarah. We live just outside NYC, so have been dealing with the kids' allergies/asthma for years. However, until I read about VOG, it didn't occur to me that this might be a big problem in Hawaii!

We're supposed to stay along the Kahala Coast after Volcano Village, but would you scrap that and go to Kaui instead?

Also going to Maui and Oahu. Thanks!

How long are you going for?
Have you been to this state before?

My main draw to Big Island is volcano area. Lush and green. Personally speaking I would just go to Kauai and Maui if I were coming as far as you are and the volcano was not an option for my family.

I know people that live in North Kohala, nobody is moving anytime soon. Its not on the volcano side and I have not heard of any evacuations happening there, due to vog.

Do you guys hike?
You won't want to island hop if you explore this. Plenty of family friendly hikes on any island. Its a camping trip in a day, if the food is good LOL.

ps....did travel to the volcano with asthma teen.
In my defense, not my son and I was younger. It was not staying near the volcano that bothered us, we were inside volcano village (1 week), it was the hike beyond the rope at the volcano that sent us to the emergency room with an attack 2 hours later.

We could feel the heat on our shoes,,,so we had a lot of common sense issues that trip LOL.

sorry, my replies will end soon. Kauai is my favorite island. I would absolutely make room and at the end of the trip because it will spoil your vision of every other island, if you are not going to volcano.

Weadles,
There is plenty to do on the Big Island without seeing Volcanoes National Park.

The beaches on the Kohala Coast are beautiful, pristeen and uncrowded. From your hotel you could drive to Hawi or hike down to Pololu Valley. Waipio Valley tour...beautiful down there. Drive to Hilo and see 3-4 waterfalls on the way there. Then there's the Botanical Garden, the Farmer's Market, Imiloa Astronomy Center, Tsunami Museum etc. Lots to see and do.

Mauna Kea is another option or see the lava flow into the ocean in Kalapana, though these two are best at night and you would have to drive back to the Fairmont in the dark, but the road is good.

You can do water activities (snorkel trips, windsurfing or whatever) from Waikoloa, swim/snorkel right off your hotel or go into Keahou to snorkel at Kapalu'u Beach Park.

If the Big Island is where you absolutely want to go, don't change your plans, you won't be disappointed or bored on this island. If you just want to come to Hawaii and don't care where, then you might want to check out Maui, Oahu or Kauai...no matter what you decide, have a great trip!

Aloha

We're hoping for the best but planning for the worst vis-a-vis VOG. It could go on for years, who knows.

The last week or so we've had a return to trades from the North and East which keep the VOG away from the other islands.

When it is bad, it feels to me much like any SMOG. Eyes, lungs, nose irritation.

Aloha, beatofhawaii.com

Thanks so much Sarah,maknikstym, and beatofhawaii. Husband and I have visited Hawaii four times, and spent two days at Volcano Village. Kids have never been, and really wanted to see the Volcano area, but we can't chance problems with VOG.

We will explore our options ( my husband and I LOVED Kauai), although it would be simplest to extend our stay on the Kohala coast, if possible.