The June 27 lava flow front remained stalled Wednesday morning, Hawaii County Civil Defense reported at 7:30 a.m. The flow front is still 480 feet from Pahoa Village Road and 0.47 miles from Highway 130.
Since Friday, a breakout on the north side of the flow, about 2 miles mauka of the flow front and 1 mile above Apaa Street, has advanced about 200 yards toward the north-northeast, Administrator Darryl Oliveira said Tuesday. Another breakout, about 0.5 miles above Apaa Street advanced between 75 and 80 yards during the same period.
Smoke conditions continue to be light to moderate with moderate trade winds from the northeast pushing the smoke in a south-southwest direction. Smoke conditions could increase in some areas and residents downwind that may be sensitivity or have respiratory problems are advised to take necessary precautions and to remain indoors.
Additional health advisories may be issued depending upon materials involved with any fires associated with the lava flow.
Based on the current flow location, direction and advancement, residents in the flow path were placed on an evacuation advisory and notified of possible need for evacuation. The evacuation advisory for those residents down slope of the flow will continue and residents will be kept informed of the flow status and advancement.
Pahoa Village Road, between Apaa Street and the Post Office Road, remains closed with access limited to area residents only. Civil Defense and public safety personnel will be operating in the area round the clock to maintain close observations of flow activity.
Highway 130 remains open Friday. Officials are discussing options in regard to the roadway should the lava come closer. He said the highway could be closed for safety concerns if the flow crosses Pahoa Village Road and continues its advance toward Highway 130 becoming visible to traffic and creating the threat of fire.
“Once it’s visible, we know we will have traffic stopping or ‘rubbernecking,’” Oliveira said last week.
Beach Road is open to traffic. Railroad Avenue remains closed as it traditionally has been.
The American Red Cross earlier this week opened a shelter at Sure Foundation Church in East Hawaii for residents evacuated from their homes because of the lava flow in Pahoa. The church is located at 16-1592 Pohaku Circle in Keeau, according to the American Red Cross Hawaii State Chapter.
Salvation Army personnel on Hawaii Island are also mobilizing to respond to the lava flow that Hawaii County Civil Defense officials are predicting will cross the main highway in the coming days.
“The Salvation Army is part of a team of agencies providing assistance during this pending event and working closely with both the State of Hawaii Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD) and the East Hawaii Island VOAD,” said Major Mark Gilden, Divisional Secretary for Business for The Salvation Army Hawaiian & Pacific Islands Division. “At this point, we anticipate The Salvation Army will be providing displaced residents, emergency management workers and volunteers with food and water, overseeing a planned temporary storage area for personal property, and facilitating emergency donations. In addition, our mobile canteen is on standby for use on the island.”
The public is encouraged to support the emergency disaster services efforts via monetary donations by clicking here or by calling The Salvation Army at 988-2136. Pahoa area residents in need are encouraged to contact The Salvation Army’s Hilo Corps Office at 935-1277.