Kilauea's fumes over Hawaii a concern

Big Island residents take pride in their ability to tolerate and adapt to the elements. It isn't unusual in a single year for residents to put up with drought, long days of rain that can cause flooding, or threats from wildfires.

Even so, the recent days of heavy volcanic emissions and light kona winds have been obnoxious and in some cases damaging, and have some residents worrying about the future.

The morning sun was a distant red spot in a sea of gray vog in Hilo late last week. Teachers at some Big Island schools advised students to take recess indoors, and some elderly pedestrians walked through downtown Hilo with a handkerchief clamped over nose and mouth.

State and county officials say there hasn't been an increase in emergency medical calls because of respiratory problems or unusual numbers of emergency room visits in Hilo or Kona, but small Ka'u Hospital in Pahala has seen an estimated 50 percent increase in emergency room and clinic visits from people complaining of respiratory problems, said hospital administrator Merilyn Harris.