Shoppers at Pahoa’s Malama Market will be treated to grocery giveaways when the store reopens Wednesday.
But perhaps the biggest prize of all will be the absence of lava activity, assuming there are no significant changes in the June 27 flow.
As of Monday morning, the flow, which once reached as close as a few hundred yards from the supermarket, remained inactive anywhere near Pahoa. Breakouts were limited to within 8 miles of the Pu‘u ‘O‘o vent on Kilauea’s East Rift Zone, according to Hawaii County Civil Defense. The flow is about 14 miles long.
Hawaiian Volcano Observatory reported three breakouts from the vent’s base and up to 4 miles away.
Janet Babb, HVO spokeswoman, said thermal images will be taken today to determine if the flow’s lava tube remains hot enough to be able to transport lava downslope again.
“If it’s still hot, there’s the possibility that lava can reoccupy it,” she said.
Malama Market, which closed three months ago as lava approached, will reopen at 10 a.m.
Spokeswoman Sheryl Toda said it will look like a brand new store to shoppers due to renovations.
“We’re so excited and so grateful to be able to reopen our new Malama Market Pahoa and serve the community again,” she said.
Toda said the first 250 customers to checkout Wednesday will be given free groceries and other items. Giveaways will continue through Sunday.
Additionally, a customer will receive coupons for gas and groceries totalling $100 each day through the end of the month. One person also will be surprised with a free tank of gas on opening day.
Toda said the store hired another 20 employees, bringing its total staff to 91.
Email Tom Callis at tcallis@hawaiitribune-herald.com.
