The advance of three breakouts from the June 27 lava flow appears to be slowing, Hawaii County Civil Defense Administrator Darryl Oliveira said Thursday.
The advance of three breakouts from the June 27 lava flow appears to be slowing, Hawaii County Civil Defense Administrator Darryl Oliveira said Thursday.
The breakout, or lobe, now located 0.2 miles above Apaa Street advanced just 50 to 75 yards — 150 to 225 feet — between Wednesday and Thursday. That’s a substantial decrease from the average 220 yards — or 660 feet — the breakout was averaging during a 24-hour period on both Tuesday and Wednesday.
“It looks like it slowed down, but we’re watching it very closely,” he said, adding that officials are awaiting confirmation of the slowdown from the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory. HVO Geophysicist Wes Thelen added that the flow appears to be inflating — in some areas to 15 feet in depth — and widening.
If the lava continues on its trek toward the north-northeast, Oliveira said, it would likely cross Apaa Street near the sharp corner east of the Pahoa Transfer Station. Based on Thursday’s rate of advancement, the breakout, now being referred to as the Apaa Lobe, could reach the roadway within four to seven days.
“It’s still premature to say that’s where it would go,” Oliveira cautioned, adding that HVO scientists are working to verify the topography of the area.
Another breakout that remains on the property of the Pahoa Transfer Station has shown little sign of advancement, Oliveira said. Lava breached the station’s fence on Tuesday and on Thursday continues to burn asphalt on a driveway that encircles the facility.
The driveway, which is where dumpsters would be parked for people to dispose of waste, is situated about 10 feet below the platform where the facility’s structures are located, he said. The nearest vertical structure is above about 15 to 25 feet from the front of the lobe.
“It has not reached any of the actual structures of the station,” he said.
Oliveira said the county remains in contact with the state Department of Health regarding air quality and monitoring stations are set up at the Hawaii Academy of Arts and Sciences as well near the public Pahoa schools. The county is in contact with the state to set up an additional monitoring station at Leilani Estates. As of Thursday morning, he said the conditions have not exceeded any standards.
In addition to the lava on the grounds of the Pahoa Transfer Station, officials continue to monitor the breakout that destroyed an 1,100-square-foot residence on Monday located off Cemetery Road, Oliveira said Thursday that the lava advanced between 10 to 15 yards, but remains on the same parcel.
The next nearest residence to that breakout is about 400 to 500 yards downslope.
The June 27 lava flow front remains stalled some 480 feet mauka of Pahoa Village Road. The front, which is seeing very little activity at its leading edge, has not advanced since Oct. 30.
Residents in the flow path remain on an evacuation advisory, according to Civil Defense. While Community Emergency Response Teams and Red Cross officials did canvass the area of Apaa Street on Wednesday to remind residents of a possible evacuation and to see if any additional help was needed, Oliveira said a mandatory evacuation is not in effect.
There is no threat of brush fire at this time. Smoke conditions are reported as heavy to moderate and the smoke is currently being pushed by southerly winds toward the areas of Ainaloa, Keaau and Hilo, Oliveira said. Smoke conditions could increase in some areas and residents downwind that may be sensitive or have respiratory problems are advised to take necessary precautions and to remain indoors.
Pahoa Village Road, between Apaa Street and Post Office Road, reopened Thursday morning in both directions after being closed for about three weeks. Civil Defense and public safety personnel will be operating in the area round the clock to maintain close observations of flow activity.
Highway 130 remains open. The lava flow remains just under a half-mile from the state highway. Beach Road is open to traffic. Railroad Avenue remains closed as it traditionally has been.
Work on re-establishing Chain of Craters Road, which would be the only means of accessing Lower Puna should the flow cross Highway 130, continues. It should be complete in early December.