Malama Market’s shelves were left mostly bare Thursday as lower Puna’s supermarket closed its doors in anticipation of the arrival of the June 27 lava flow.
After filling the aisles during the last few days, shoppers were left feeling somber as the reality of the threat less than a mile away continued to sink in.
“It just feels like a loss,” said Debbie Martin of Hawaiian Beaches.
“And it’s just sad to see these people lose their jobs.”
Ace Hardware, located next door, also closed Thursday evening.
But as stores continued to close, the flow appeared to be putting on the brakes.
Lava was about 0.8 miles from Highway 130 as of 4 p.m. Thursday, and had advanced 165 yards between Wednesday morning and Thursday morning.
That’s down from about 300 yards at the start of the week.
“We saw what appears to be the beginning of a slowdown,” said Darryl Oliveira, Hawaii County Civil Defense administrator. But “it’s premature to say it’s going to hold,” he added.
At its most recent rate, the flow could be in “excess of six days out” from the marketplace, he said.
Oliveira, who has made daily rounds in the marketplace recently to talk with merchants, was joined by Gov. David Ige who toured the lava flow earlier Thursday by air and on the ground. Ige also spoke at a community meeting Thursday night in Pahoa.
Ige, while speaking with reporters, said it helps to see the flow with his own eyes.
“It does give you a very different perspective to be on the ground and view it from the air and talk to people and actually see the flow itself,” he said.
Ige said the state will continue to work with the county on road access and other issues, and is prepared to do so for the long term.
“This is not something that’s going to disappear,” he said.
Officials said breakouts in the lava flow upslope could be responsible for the decrease in flow rate. It also was reaching flatter terrain.
Oliveira cautioned the flow rate could continue to change and estimating when lava might reach businesses and other landmarks is difficult.
But he was “trying to be optimistic” that a slowing trend would continue.
Breakouts were occurring between 1.5 and 2.5 miles upslope of the flow front, with some on the flow pad itself.
The flow front continued to run parallel to a path of steepest descent that goes through the marketplace.
“It’s possible it will turn east and continue on its path … to the marketplace,” Oliveira said.
The marketplace is home to about 20 businesses, and has been the main stop for groceries, gas and basic other services for lower Puna.
Many residents say they expect to have to drive to Keaau or Hilo — and possibly around the flow on alternate routes should lava cross the highway — for their shopping.
Mayor Billy Kenoi said Thursday that Railroad Avenue, one of those alternate routes, would open at about noon Saturday.
Pahoa also is home to a natural food store that isn’t threatened.
A few businesses closed earlier in the week, while others planned to wait for an evacuation order.
Lex Brodie’s closed Wednesday, while Subway and the Aloha Petroleum gas station closed Tuesday.
Hawaii Academy of Arts and Sciences has an annex at the marketplace and planned to close that location after classes today, said Steve Hirakami, school director.
Puna Community Medical Center today will begin relocating to an annex at 15-3039 Pahoa Village Road, said Dan Domizio, clinical programs director. He hopes to open there Monday.
“It’s kind of a sad moment,” Domizio said. “We created that place, it’s been very successful. And now we’re abandoning it, so to speak.”
Hawaii Electric Light Co. spokeswoman Rhea Lee said protective barriers similar to the ones installed around transmission poles on Apaa Street will be placed around poles along the highway in the flow’s path.
“We are monitoring where the lava is going to go,” she said.
Oliveira said the gas station’s fuel was removed Tuesday evening. By the end of today, sludge and residual vapors in the tanks are expected to be removed.
He said there are no plans to remove asphalt to reduce the level of air pollution caused by burning pavement should the flow arrive.
“If and when an evacuation of merchants is complete, if there is time in between then and any impact, that could be considered at that time,” Oliveira said.
Domizio said smoke from burning vegetation has led to a 15 to 20 percent increase in respiratory-related visits at the medical center.
Email Tom Callis at tcallis@hawaiitribune-herald.com.