The active front of the June 27 lava flow continued marching down the steepest path of descent Tuesday, still headed in the direction of the Pahoa Marketplace, albeit moving a bit slower than in days past. ADVERTISING The active front
The active front of the June 27 lava flow continued marching down the steepest path of descent Tuesday, still headed in the direction of the Pahoa Marketplace, albeit moving a bit slower than in days past.
“(Tuesday) morning, we saw the flow continue to advance,” said county Civil Defense Administrator Darryl Oliveira.
“It moved about 275 yards since (Monday) night, although it may be a bit of a slowdown.”
He said the flow is entering an area of “microtopography,” including small depressions and mounts created by an old flow that could affect the its forward advancement and/or direction.
For the most part, however, “it has been hugging the path of steepest descent,” he added, referring to lava’s predicted path according to measurements made by scientists with the U.S. Geological Survey’s Hawaiian Volcano Observatory.
“We’ll be watching it very closely,” he said.
The flow front was approximately 1 mile from the intersection of Pahoa Village Road and Highway 130 as of Tuesday morning, Oliveira said, and less than a mile from the Malama Market and stores at the rear of the Pahoa Marketplace.
Malama Market officials announced late Monday afternoon their plans to close the grocery store at 6 p.m. Thursday in preparation for the possible encroachment of the lava. The timing of the announcement took Civil Defense officials by surprise, Oliveira said, although the store, with its large amount of inventory, would likely take the longest to clear out in advance of the lava’s approach.
“We met with the merchants in the marketplace (Monday) night,” he said, “and Ace (Hardware) and Malama Market are the two closest to the steepest line of descent (and) are dealing with larger, complex issues. The Malama corporate office made the decision to suspend operations as of Thursday and are vacating the store and selling off and decreasing inventory. … It’s still very early, but knowing they need the time to decrease their footprint and save as much as they can, (that’s their decision).”
Workers with Hawaii Electric Light Co. relocated a number of power transformers Tuesday in an effort to maintain electricity for utility customers on the other side of Highway 130 should the flow enter the area, said HELCO spokeswoman Rhea Lee.
“We are preparing for the lava to enter the Malama Market area. It (the lava) is still on course, as far as we know, and we’re preparing for that,” she said.
Meanwhile, the state Department of Health announced Tuesday it installed three temporary particulate monitors to measure and inform nearby residents of the air quality levels as a result of the flow. Two monitors are currently located in Pahoa and one in Leilani Estates. They might be relocated, or additional monitors could be installed, as the lava flow continues or additional breakouts occur. The DOH said the data can be monitored online at health.hawaii.gov/cab/hawaii-ambient-air-quality-data/.
The public also will have a chance to get up close and personal with the stalled flow at the Pahoa transfer station beginning today. The site will be open seven days a week from 8 a.m.-6 p.m., Oliveira said. Representatives with the University of Hawaii at Hilo geology department and the Center for the Study of Active Volcanoes will be on hand for the next few days to answer questions from the public.
Oliveira added that the availability of the site could change depending on how the lava flow proceeds down the mountain.
“Right now, it will likely close Christmas and New Year’s Day,” he said. “If the current lava flow activity presents us with issues and challenges, then resources will need to be focused there and away from … lava viewing. We’re also aware that if and when the flow approaches Highway 130, there is likely to be an increased desire to see an active flow, rather than a historical flow.”
Lava viewing rules for Pahoa transfer station on Apa‘a Street:
• Apa‘a Street will be open to the public daily from 8-6 p.m.
• Motorists and pedestrians are urged to exercise caution and be considerate.
• To balance access and the safety of pedestrians and motorists, a parking and traffic plan has been created.
• Volunteer attendants will be on site to assist drivers and pedestrians sharing the travel-way.
• The gravel shoulder on the Pahoa town side should be kept clear for pedestrians. No parking anytime.
• The gravel shoulder on the Ainaloa side has been designated for reverse diagonal parking for the public.
• Buses may drop off passengers at the transfer station and idle at the designated idle area.
• Vehicles with disabled placards may drop off passengers at the transfer station and park in a designated area.
• A 240-foot buffer zone has been established near the checkpoint on the lower portion of Apa‘a Street.
Email Colin M. Stewart at cstewart@hawaiitribune-herald.com.
