The remainder of Pahoa Village Road reopened at noon Wednesday in time for the Thanksgiving Day holiday, Hawaii County Civil Defense Director Darryl Oliveira said.
“We are asking motorist to try to flow through safely and consistently. Don’t stop to take a picture or anything because there’s not much to see there the view plane is very small,” Oliveira said. All that would be visible is solidified lava behind some homes, he added.
Hawaii Police Department officers and National Guard members will patrolling the area to keep traffic flowing and discourage any trespassing, Oliveira said.
“That will continue until determine not necessary as long as it is a safety and security concern we will have them on the ground,” he said.
Utility crews completed work Tuesday and safety barricades, flashing lights, reflective tape and other items to reduce traffic hazards have been placed along the roadway between Apaa Street and Post Office Road, he said.
The portion of the roadway had been closed between Apaa Street and Post Office Road since late October when breakouts from the June 27 lava flow neared.
Apaa Street will remain closed because the county is not allowing access to where the flow crossed the roadway as well as to the Pahoa Transfer Station, Oliveira said.