Business owners uneasy as lava advances

Pahoa merchants were assured Wednesday that efforts will be made to maintain some sense of normalcy should the June 27 lava flow cover Highway 130.

The highway remains the lifeline for lower Puna, and Hawaii County Civil Defense Administrator Darryl Oliveira said work to make Government Beach Road and Railroad Avenue passable for deliveries and other vehicular traffic is expected to begin by early next week.

Government Beach Road, which acts as more of a trail in some areas, is expected to be a one-lane dirt road with turnouts, while Railroad Avenue, currently disconnected between Hawaiian Beaches and Hawaiian Paradise Park, is expected to accommodate a flow of traffic in both directions, county officials said.

The Hawaii National Guard will help make the alternate routes, as well as provide security in the communities, Oliveira said.

The lava from Kilauea volcano is burning its way through forest, and a pillar of smoke was visible from the Akebono Theater, where more than 100 people gathered to hear the latest update and contingency plans.

The flow could potentially be weeks away from reaching the highway as well as businesses and residences that might be in its path.

More than 7,000 vehicles use the highway in that area each day, Oliveira said, and the trek around the flow won’t be easy.

“It’s going to be a significant burden on everyone,” he said, including residents of HPP, where traffic will be diverted.

The flow could also disrupt power, though Hawaii Electric Light Co. representatives said they are preparing for the possibility of transmission poles being hit.

Oliveira said priorities will be given for the delivery of fuel and other important supplies.

Water remains another factor.

Even though water lines are buried, Quirino Antonio, county Department of Water Supply chief engineer, said gaskets could melt if lava flows above them. That could create a leak, but still may not disrupt service, he said.

If not enough water can get to homes makai of the highway, water may be trucked to those communities, Antonio said.

Meanwhile, the department is also trying to expedite repairs to its Pahoa wells that have been offline for several months.

Antonio said after the meeting it wasn’t clear how long that work will take, but he is trying to get a crew in before lava reaches the highway. Water service can be maintained in the meantime, he said.

Merchants also asked officials questions regarding insurance, and what they should do before they evacuate.

Oliveira said Civil Defense will document damage that could be used for insurance claims.

Judi Mellon, a business consultant with the Hawaii Small Business Development Center Network, said businesses should talk to their insurance provider as soon as possible.

She said state insurance is also available should coverage be dropped.

Oliveira said the state Department of Health has been contacted to help provide medical care, though it wasn’t clear how extensive those services could be.

The Puna Community Medical Center, which is potentially in the flow’s path, would also try to maintain health services if it could be provided a mobile or satellite location, said Dan Domizio, clinical programs director.

“Given the current scenarios being discussed, we’re looking at being as portable as possible,” he said. “… I had a long conversation with them this morning, and my staff are all willing to say on and see this through.”

Oliveira said it will take the help of residents and businesses to get the community through a disaster situation, if the flow becomes more than just a potential threat.

“We need everyone’s help,” he said. “Government doesn’t have all the solutions.”

Another community meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. today at Pahoa High & Intermediate School.

For daily updates, visit https://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/activity/kilaueastatus.php.

Staff Writer Colin M. Stewart contributed to this report.

Email Tom Callis at tcallis@hawaiitribune-herald.com.