Pahoa area students are set for a field trip worth bragging about next week as they become the first group allowed access to the June 27 lava flow.
Pahoa area students are set for a field trip worth bragging about next week as they become the first group allowed access to the June 27 lava flow.
Darryl Oliveira, Hawaii County Civil Defense administrator, said students will be given a tour of inactive areas near the closed Pahoa waste transfer station as early as Monday.
It’s meant to be an educational experience and experts with U.S. Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, University of Hawaii at Hilo and other agencies will act as guides, he said.
“As students arrive, they then would be given guided walking tours through different organizations and agencies providing educational perspectives,” Oliveira said.
It also will be considered a pilot project for additional public viewing. After the student tours are finished, the county will consider allowing the rest of the public access, possibly through approved tour groups, he said.
“We’re trying to do this in a very respectful and prudent way to manage, to ensure we provide for the safety of everyone and make it an informative and educational experience …,” Oliveira said.
The first batch of keiki to view the flow will be from Keonepoko Elementary School. The students have taken their studies elsewhere after the school closed in late October because of the lava threat.