Air Quality on Hawaii Island

An article about air quality the Big Island of Hawaii. See also Big Island Travel Guide and our guides Other Hawaiian Islands.

What is Vog?
Vog is a short name for "volcanic smog". The word is primarily used in Hawaii, and it is a a form of air pollution containing volcanic dust and gases. Hawaii's vog is caused by the active volcanoes of Hawaii Island so that is the island most affected by vog, but but increased volcanic activity and certain weather conditions can sometimes spread the Big Island's vog to the other Hawaiian Islands.

Is Vog Harmful to Health?
From the Hawaii State Department of Health: "People with pre-existing respiratory conditions, such as asthma or emphysema, are more likely to experience health effects from vog. Those effects may include headaches, breathing difficulties, increased susceptibility to respiratory ailments, watery eyes, and sore throat."

Resources

Air Quality at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
Information published by the United States National Parks Service about air quality issues caused by the volcanoes within Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.

Hawaii Health Department Vog FAQ (PDF)
Hawaii State Department of Health article featuring frequently asked questions and answers about the vog and volcanic emmisions from the Kilauea Volcano.

USGS "Air Quality in Hawaii" FAQ
United States National Geological Survey article featuring frequently asked questions and answers about the the air quality of Hawaii.

Wikipedia Introduction to Vog
Article with a description of vog, comparing vog and smog, the health hazards of vog, recent vog producing events, and vog in Hawaii.

Vog Measurement and Prediction Project (VMAP)
VMAP is a University of hawaii project originally funded by the United States Geological Survey's Hawaiian Volcano Observatory to study the feasibility and practality of forecasting vog conditiions on the Big Island.

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General Information About Hawaii

About the Islands of Hawaii

Visitor Destinations in Hawaii

Hawaii for Visitors

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