Ranchers in Mauna Loa worry about lava
(CNN) - As Mauna Loa continues erupting in Hawaii, officials have repeated that no homes are in danger.
But one rancher says that's not necessarily true.
As the lava advances, he's worried about his property and cattle.
Guy Kaniho and his family have been stewards of Mauna Kea for generations.
For them, however, this is their home, and that they are deeply concerned about.
"If the lava continues, then eventually if it reached the grasslands below us, a fire would ensue. And not only would the ranch land, ours, be jeopardized, but the entire mountain of Mauna Kea," Kaniho spoke.
Kaniho and his brother have about 100 cattle on their properties.
Their cousins have about 100 more.
Officials vs Kaniho
Officials have repeated that no homes, properties, or families are in danger.
"It upset me because that's not true. At first, I was thinking could it be that we don't count? That we are insignificant? And I don't want to raise the prejudice issue, but is it because we're Hawaiians and we're second rate?" Kaniho continued.
At a press conference Friday, the Hawaii County Civil Defense Administrator, Talmadge Magno, says they are aware of this family.
"There may be the chance that lava could encroach onto ranchland, cause wildland fires. But I know our fire department is in consultation with DHHL as far as them putting in fire breaks," Magno said.
It's not just about them
The Kaniho Ohana says it's not just about them.
It's about protecting a sacred Mauna.
"All the time, effort, funds that people put in to the habitat, the ecosystem, the watershed; if we're not prepared, and I mean proactively prepared to fight this fire, then forget about the lava flow. That's not going to come uphill. That's common sense. The fact of the matter is that once it hits the grasslands, we need to fight a fire."
He says officials with the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands were up on their property today getting it ready for firebreaks.
So while this view sure is dazzling, he hopes it doesn't last too long.
