I'm always happy to talk GIS! The point data was downloaded from a community-generated map that aggregates all of the news and reports coming in from Hawaii. The elevation data was received from a University repository, but the data was collected by the USGS and is freely available to the public.

I primarily used QGIS for data visualization and processing / map generation. The one exception to this is for the Topographic Convergence Index, which is only able to be generated like this using GrassGIS version 7.2 in the Raster -> Hydrologic Modeling -> Flow Accumulation as one of the optional outputs. The most recent version of Grass that is included with the latest version of QGIS does not appear to have this exact output option. A little more detail on the process of generating these maps is available in an earlier post. ArcGIS could probably do a very similar analysis, but the annual license is far too expensive to make it practical for me. I suppose there is also some joy that comes from supporting open-source projects.

I agree, it does seem like a pretty dangerous place to build a subdivision given the activity in the 1950s. Lava flows are highly unpredictable and there is a chance that Leilani Estates could be largely spared if the current trends continue. Three new fissures (numbers 16-18) have opened far to the east of the subdivision along the same line of activity and are not immediately threatening any structures.

I hope this helps to clarify the points of confusion! Unfortunately nobody can stop the lava from flowing or even predict where it will erupt and flow, but hopefully the evacuated homeowners have a better idea of the risk that these new fissures could someday pose. Thanks for your comment!