KAILUA-KONA— Two more people have been cited by officers from the DLNR Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement for being in an East Rift Zone Eruption closed area.
At approximately 10 a.m. Wednesday at Pohoiki, two individuals were cited for loitering in a disaster area. The Hawaii Fire Department initially spotted the pair and DOCARE officers were picked up and flown into Pohoiki.
The people cited were 45-year-old Waikoloa resident Melanie A. Thomas and 50-year-old Keaau resident John Burgoon.
Under a supplemental proclamation from Gov. David Ige, fines for being in areas restricted or closed due to the continuing East Rift Zone Eruption can reach as high as $5,000, with up to one year in jail.
Since the beginning of the eruption in early May, 82 people have been cited for being in closed areas, DLNR said.