Gov. Neil Abercrombie on Friday signed an emergency proclamation aimed at easing evacuation efforts in the event that the June 27 lava flow from Kilauea volcano crosses Highway 130 near Pahoa.
Meanwhile, some community members are questioning why government officials aren’t considering efforts to divert the flow, and the state Department of Health warned Friday that residents living near the flow should avoid potential smoke exposure and low levels of sulfur dioxide from the approaching lava.
The governor’s proclamation suspends certain laws that might impede emergency response, including state restrictions on re-establishing abandoned roads that may be used should lava cross Highway 130 in Puna. It also activates the Major Disaster Fund set aside by the state Legislature for disaster relief and facilitates access to emergency resources at the state and federal levels.The disaster emergency relief period runs through Oct. 15.
With the lava flow potentially days from reaching Kaohe, several Puna residents pressed Hawaii County officials at a meeting Thursday to try to divert or stop the flow’s advance, with just as many in the crowd responding that Pele should be left alone.
“We live in one place where lava is still existent, and whether you believe it’s Tutu Pele or just the science, the fact it is lava, you cannot change the direction,” said Piilani Kaawaloa of Pahoa. “It’s like me telling you, ‘Move the moon because it’s too bright.’”
“To Native Hawaiians, Pele is our kupuna, she is our ancestor,” Ihilani Niles said.
“This is her place, and if she feels she needs to clean her house, then let her clean her house,” she added.
Both received a loud round of applause from the approximately 500 people in attendance at Pahoa High &Intermediate School.
“For us at this point, we are not exploring or pursuing diversion as to the uncertainty it will work or make the problem worse,” Hawaii County Civil Defense Administrator Darryl Oliveira said.
As of Thursday, the flow was about 0.8 mile from Kaohe, and continued to move in and out of ground cracks.
Hawaiian Volcano Observatory estimated the flow could be five to seven days away from Kaohe, though it could bypass homes in the rural subdivision outside Pahoa.
An emergency declaration Mayor Billy Kenoi issued Thursday allows the county to restrict access to Kaohe and prepare for an evacuation. An evacuation has not been declared yet, though Oliveira is urging residents to be ready to leave.
The declaration also allows the county to lay the groundwork for improving or clearing new roadways in case Highway 130 is inundated with lava.
When that work, which will partially focus on improving Railroad Avenue and Beach Road, begins will depend largely on the direction of the lava flow, county officials said.
HVO Scientist-in-Charge Jim Kauahikaua said the flow, if it continues, could take between 27 and 273 days to reach the highway.
“There’s a lot of uncertainty still,” he said.
If it advances on the surface rather than through cracks, the flow would also likely move in a more northeast direction, Kauahikaua said.
Brandon Gonzalez, county Public Works deputy director, said the goal is to have an alternate route in place 30 days before the highway is covered.
“We’re trying to determine what exists on the ground and not just on paper,” Gonzalez said.
Reopening Chain of Craters Road, covered by past lava flows, remains an option, Oliveira said.
He said that project would cost about $7 million and take one to two months to complete. The cost would be shared with state and federal sources.
Also Friday, health officials advised residents living near the lava flow to plan ahead for potential smoke.
“Smoke contains a mixture of gases and fine particles that may trigger adverse respiratory conditions,” reads a release from the state Department of Health. “Additionally, encroaching lava may contain low levels of sulfur dioxide, an irritant gas.”
People with respiratory illness or heart disease, older adults and children were urged to avoid smoke exposure.
Civil Defense and Hawaiian Volcano Observatory have scheduled community meetings Tuesday and Thursday to update residents on the lava flow in the Wao Kele O Puna area.
The briefings will begin at 6:30 p.m. in the Pahoa High School cafeteria.
Email Tom Callis at tcallis@hawaiitribune-herald.com.and Colin M. Stewart at cstewart@hawaiitribune-herald.com.