TRAVEL NEWS:

Travel Weekly reports that Hawaii's legislature recently convened a special committee to study the effects that vog (volcanic gases) are having on its residents and tourists.
The Big Island's Kiluaea Volcano opened a second vent in March causing the release of double the usual amount of toxic gases into the air. Complaints of eye and throat irritation and damage to local crops have increased.
The Honolulu Star-Bulletin reports "Sulfur dioxide, a pollutant that is also generated by burning coal and oil, can lead to asthma and other respiratory illnesses and aggravate lung and heart disease. When combined with dust and sunlight, it makes vog. Mixed with atmospheric moisture, it produces acid rain."
Still tourism to the Big Island to see the new vent and lava remains unaffected. Hawaii Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism reports that new visitors to Hawaii is up 2.8% in the first quarter of 2008.