Senator Hirono meets with kupuna, federal, state and county officials on Hawaii Island to discuss impacts of Tropical Storm Iselle and the June 27 lava flow on the Puna community
PUNA, Hawaii Island – Senator Mazie K. Hirono met with individuals from the Puna community to hear the latest update on their recovery from the effects of Tropical Storm Iselle and the effects of the June 27 lava flow from Kilauea volcano.
The meeting served as a follow-up to Senator Hirono's visit to the Puna area in August with members of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Preliminary Damage Assessment Team to assess damage to the area caused by the tropical storm.
Senator Hirono meets with kupuna and community leaders in Puna.
With the assistance of Hawaii County Council Member Greggor Ilagan, Senator Hirono met with representatives from the Puna community including the Nanawale Community Association, Makuu Farmers Association, as well as area educators and social service providers, Hawaii County and church leaders.
They informed the Senator of their concerns for the continuum of services for Puna in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Iselle and in advance of the lava flow. Topics raised include transportation and access issues; Chain of Craters Road, Railroad Avenue and Government Beach Road. Concerns over a potential delay in postal delivery from USPS for Puna residents along with issues related to emergency services, air quality, homeowner's insurance, pre-school closings, food pantries and albizia mitigation were also discussed.
Short-term Preparations, Long-term Plans for Chain of Craters Road
Senator Hirono hosted a meeting on the immediate and future plans for Chain of Craters Road bringing together about a dozen people from the Hawaii County, U.S. National Park Service (NPS), Hawaii Department of Transportation and Federal Highways Administration. Senator Hirono wanted to ensure that there was communication and coordination among the federal, state and county agencies working to address access issues for the Puna community and to preserve the option for federal reimbursement for construction costs if Highway 130 is closed due to the lava flow.
On the day of the meeting, based on new information related to design, construction and anticipated longer term use, NPS re-evaluated the Chain of Craters Road layout and dimensions and announced its intent to complete an environmental analysis to reestablish Chain of Craters Road to its original alignment of the two lane road with a width of 22 feet with gravel surface. Hawaii Department of Transportation will provide the design for the two lane road.
USGA scientists brief Senator Hirono on the lava flow's projected path
Senator Hirono also received an update from Steve Brantley and Frank Trusdell of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), including projected dates of the June 27 lava flow crossing Highway 130, Railroad Avenue and Government Beach Road. The lava's advance rate has varied significantly, prompting USGS to update its information.
You can sign up to receive notices on volcano activity by clicking here.
We’ll be sure to keep you updated as we continue to work with community and government leaders.
HAWAII ISLAND UPDATE:
Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists estimated Monday, October 13, that the lava flow is advancing at an average rate of about 80 yards a day, predicting it could reach Apaa Street on the outskirts of Pahoa in about 19 days. Apaa Street leads to the Pahoa Recycling and Transfer Station.
