There is danger in paradise! Tourists and visitors on Hawaii that had recently visited the Volcano National Park got a taste of restrictions in place due to a dangerous lava flow on that part of the Island of Hawaii.
On June 27 the Big Island was confronted by lava flow threatening communities on the Hawaii Island. After the Hawaii County mayor declared an emergency yesterday, the Governor of the State of Hawaii today stepped in and issued the following proclamation in anticipation of lava flow crossing highway 130. On Wednesday the lava flow front emerged again from a ground crack and continued to advance eastward.
Hawaii scientists and officials raised the alert level on Thursday for residents whose homes stand in the path of an approaching lava flow creeping through a forest reserve toward their community from the Kilauea Volcano on the Big Island.
Scientists at the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory projected that, with the flow advancing an average of 820 feet a day, the lava could reach the Kaohe Homesteads subdivision within five to seven days.
The threat level was raised from a “watch” to a “warning” after the lava crept on Wednesday to within a mile of the outer edge of the Wa Kele o Puna Forest Reserve, which is one-tenth of a mile from some of the estimated 30 to 50 homes in the Kaohe Homesteads subdivision.
Big Island Mayor Billy Kenoi declared a state of emergency for the area Thursday, citing both potential harm to residents and homes as well as the risk posed to area roads.
The mayor’s office said more than 8,000 people would be affected if the lava overtakes portions of Highway 130, the only major route servicing the surrounding lower Puna area.
Big Island Civil Defense has begun restricting subdivision access to residents, keeping onlookers away in order to ease congestion for those wishing to evacuate voluntarily.
Hawaii Governor Neil Abercrombie today released this:
Gov. Neil Abercrombie today signed an emergency proclamation in preparation for the June 27 lava flow crossing Highway 130 near Pahoa, potentially isolating communities in lower Puna from the rest of Hawaii County.
Read the full proclamation and click below
WHAT TO TAKE AWAY FROM THIS ARTICLE:
- After the lava crept on Wednesday to within a mile of the outer edge of the Wa Kele o Puna Forest Reserve, which is one-tenth of a mile from some of the estimated 30 to 50 homes in the Kaohe Homesteads subdivision.
- Hawaii scientists and officials raised the alert level on Thursday for residents whose homes stand in the path of an approaching lava flow creeping through a forest reserve toward their community from the Kilauea Volcano on the Big Island.
- Tourists and visitors on Hawaii that had recently visited the Volcano National Park got a taste of restrictions in place due to a dangerous lava flow on that part of the Island of Hawaii.
