Lava Burns White Shelterpod In Kilauea

This shelterpod was owned, designed and built by Mr. Paddy Daly who lives in Bellyacres Eco-village adjacent to Seaview Estates. Paddy was welcomed in to Bellyacres as family would be when the lava flows inundated the area in early 2008 and made it impractical (and illegal) for him to continue living in his private property.

The shelterpod was built on lava flows from the 80's or early 90's about 1000 feet from the coast. It was a unique design consisting of a small living pod resting on a large deck. It had an electrical system consisting of a solar panel, storage battery and an inverter to supply 120 volt AC current. Two large plastic tanks sat under the deck and were to be supplied with rain water from the roof through the gutters and downspouts which were in the process of being installed. Spectacular views from the deck and large windows could be seen in all directions.

Paddy was not only generous enough to allow visitors to rest in his pod while it was standing tall but also generous to share its dramatic end with the public. His generosity will continue into the future as he plans to leave Bellyacres in June, 2010, and begin a two year Peace Corps agricultural tour in sub Saharan Africa.

Good luck and mahalo to Paddy.

Recorded November 3, 2009

Additional photos and videos:
http://volcanochaser.smugmug.com/

Eruption Update Info:
http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• lava
• Kilauea
• Big Island
• eruption
• Hawaii

[MrPizzaman9956]

Why didn't the roof burn?

[volcanochaser]

@MrPizzaman9956 The roof is made of steel sheet metal, which is very common in Hawaii. The melting point of steel is about 3000 degrees Fahrenheit, but lava is only about 2000 degrees. Anything made of steel such as roofing, appliances, nails, pipes fence posts, cars, etc. survives lava flows but is usually buried by other flows such as happened to the roof of this house a few days later.

[xXDeAdLyOmEnXx]

2:10 the room not only cleared out, but oxygen was introduced to the fire and the room flashed over

[volcanochaser]

@xXDeAdLyOmEnXx Thanks. Good observation.

[punapaddy]

Thank you for posting this, Mr. Lavarat. Building the shelterpod was a big personal accomplishment for me, and though it did burn, my mind can still return to this very place, often appearing in the corner of my eye, in the shadow of memories alone in this remote, powerful location. I'm happy that so many others who ventured out into this lava field discovered the shelterpod, and it's door which I taped always unlocked. I'm leaving for Tanzania in three days, two years with Peace Corps!

[volcanochaser]

@punapaddy Good luck in Tanzania with the Peace Corp, Paddy. Take your camera with you so you can share your experience with us.

[bored1980]

Central heating works well.

[EliteMatt3289]

Whats a shelterpod?

[MrPizzaman9956]

oh ok

[MrGiovannisassano]

as u can see in this video if the world didnt like the idea, she simply take's it away

[ThePepemaria]

oh shit!!!!!!!!!!!

[aftentertainment]

if this taught me anything its that you CAN out run lava

[nicholasgerling]

some body call 911 threes a fire burning on the dance floor

[PunkGrl199]

If I were you, I would run