Ka‘ū News Briefs Tuesday, May 15, 2018

Halemaʻumaʻu ash plume this morning. Photo by Cindy Orlando

MESSAGES OF ROCK FALLS AND GAS EXPLOSIONS within Halemaʻumaʻu Crater came from Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense today, beginning at 10 a.m. with a report of "an ash plume which is carrying ash downstream across the Kaʻū District. Ash is being reported along Highway 11 to Pāhala."

     At Volcano Golf Course, and along Highway 11, folks looked up to see a giant grey ash cloud rising before them, with reports of it extending some 11,000 feet into the sky. This evening, Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park stationed a lit sign on Hwy 11, telling drivers not to stop for the next ten miles. The effort is to keep people as far away from the crater as possible, as more ash plumes and possible steam explosions are expected.

     Civil Defense cautioned: "Avoid excessive exposure to ash which is an eye and respiratory irritant. Those with respiratory sensitivities should take extra precaution to minimize exposure. Motorists are advised to drive with caution."

Looking up at Halemaʻumaʻu plume from Volcano Golf Course. Image posted on Hawaiʻi News Now

       At 1 p.m. with the blue sky over Kapapala turning a grey-brown, as ash rolled from Volcano toward Pāhala, another alert: "The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory reports a steady eruption of ash coming from Halemaʻumaʻu Crater is causing ash to fall downwind across portions of Kaʻū District. Ash is being reported along Highway 11 to Pāhala." By about 4 p.m., the ash plume turned to a whiter color of steam.

      Last night Hawai`i News Now carried stories of ash in Kaʻū. Jessie Marques, founder of Kaʻū Rural Health Community Association, showed her mask that she keeps with her in her truck and in her home in Pāhala. "I do have neighbors and friends and family and it has created more problems for them. Now they tend to stay indoors... it has created a breathing problem for them," she told Hawaiʻi News Now.

Jessie Marques of Kaʻū Rural Health Community Association talked  with Hawaiʻi News Now about the affects of SO2 and ash on health.  Image from Daryl Lee/Hawaiʻi News Now

     Marques said the bad air has exacerbated her own asthma. She pointed to ash covering her truck and said it is covering lanais, decks, and buildings.

     Hawaiʻi News Now also interviewed Kaʻū Coffee Mill manager Lou Daniele, who reported ash fall and discomfort among outdoor workers at the mill and farm.
     The news broadcast showed Marlene Freitas, of the Pāhala coffee growing family, being approached by Civil Defense volunteers going door to door, giving out information on protecting families from fumes and ash.

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Halemaʻumaʻu plume, viewed from Highway 11 today. Photo by Andrew Richard Hara

A Civil Air Patrol plane caught this image of the ash plume topping out at 9,000 feet,  with dispersed plume reaching 11,000 feet this morning. CAP photo

Halemaʻumaʻu plume seen by firefighter Lizzy Stabo  on Highway 11 today. Photo by Lizzy Stabo

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AS LAVA FROM FISSURE 17 SLOWLY MOVED TOWARD THE OCEAN - in the direction of Kaimu Kapoho Road, Vacationland, and Kapoho Bay - Hawaiian Volcano Observatory reported this evening that Fissure 6, near Leilani Avenue and Pohoiki Road, has become active again. Lava fountaining and spatter began about 4:45 p.m.
     Up at Kīlauea Crater, HVO has increased the Aviation Color Code to Red due to increased ash emission. "Ash has been rising nearly continuously from the vent and drifting downwind to the southwest. Ashfall and vog have been reported along Highway 11 to Pāhala. At any time, activity may increase the intensity of ash production," said the 6 p.m. report.
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HEAD OF THE U.S. SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION PLANS TO COME TO HAWAIʻI and work with Sen. Mazie K. Hirono. According to Hirono, Linda McMahon will assist Hawaiʻi small business owners affected by recent natural disasters. Hirono, who questioned the Small Business Administration director during a Small Business Committee Oversight Hearing in the U.S. Senate today, urged McMahon to meet with business owners impacted by natural disasters of the volcano on Hawaiʻi Island, and flooding on Kauaʻi, and Oʻahu.

      “Small businesses in all of these communities must completely rebuild or are severely impacted by losses in visitor revenue,” said Hirono. “Our immediate response has been focused on relief efforts, but these communities will require additional resources to recover from these disasters. I look forward to continuing our work together to ensure that Hawai`i businesses impacted by these natural disasters have the support they need in the coming weeks and months.”

     Hirono maintains a list of resources and information from government agencies on her website for Hawai`i residents affected by recent natural disasters.

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TO KEEP TRAFFIC MOVING IN LOWER PUNA, the state Department of Transportation is installing metal plates on top of cracks in the Keaau-Pāhoa Road (Highway 130) from Malama Street to Kamaili Road. Motorists are advised to drive with caution. HDOT and County personnel will be stationed along the route to ensure the roadway is safe for local traffic. The state Dept. of Health reports hazardous emissions of sulfur dioxide (SO2) gas from fissures remain especially dangerous for elderly, children/babies, and people with respiratory problems. SO2 can be carried with wind, or cover an area with no wind.