The June 27 lava flow has picked up speed Monday as it makes its way toward Pahoa. Since about 7 a.m., it has moved at a rate of 20 yards per hour, the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory said Monday.
Between 11:15 a.m. Sunday and 11:15 a.m. Monday, the flow progressed 220 yards, HVO Spokeswoman Janet Babb said during an 11 a.m. press conference. The flow’s rate of speed has increased in recent hours due to a subtle change in topography. She said that scientists did not yet have any details if there has been a change in the actual volume of lava.
The lava remained within 100 yards of the nearest property, said Hawaii County Civil Defense Director Darryl Oliveira. The residents of that property, a man and woman, could be told to evacuate within the next six to 10 hours, he said. Civil Defense next plans an aerial survey of the flow at 1 p.m. Monday.
The flow, about 110 yards wide, is located about 570 yards upslope of Pahoa Village Road, Babb said. It is about 0.7 miles mauka of Highway 130.
Between 40 and 50 households in the immediate downslope area of the flow path were advised to prepare for evacuation beginning Sunday night, according to Civil Defense. The advisory was not an immediate order to evacuate, but rather a notice to prepare should an evacuation become necessary.
“Right now, nobody is being told to leave,” Oliveira said Monday. He added that if the lava does reach homes, residents would able to witness any damage or loss.
On Sunday evening, Pahoa Government Road, between Apaa Street and Post Office Road was closed with access limited to area residents. Around 11:30 a.m. Monday, the Hawaii Police Department reported that traffic entering Pahoa town must use the intersection of Route 132/Route 130 near Pahoa High School.
Smoke conditions were reported as light to moderate Monday morning. Moderate tradewinds from the northeast were pushing the smoke in a south-southwest direction. As the flow approaches the Pahoa community, smoke conditions may increase in some areas and residents down wind that may be sensitive or have respiratory problems are advised to take necessary precautions and to remain indoors.
Civil Defense and public safety personnel will be operating in the area round the clock to maintain close observations of flow activity.