USGS/Hawaiian Volcano Observatory Kilauea Status Update for 7:04 a.m. Friday, April 3, 2015

Activity Summary: Three areas of breakouts in the upslope portion of the June 27th flow field in the East Rift Zone of Kīlauea volcano continue to be active, all are within 7 km (4 mi) of Puʻu ʻŌʻō. Kīlauea continues to host an active lava lake at its summit.

June 27th Lava Flow Observations: Overnight, webcams showed that three areas of breakouts continued to be active in the upslope portion of the June 27th flow field located to the northeast of Puʻu ʻŌʻō: the Feb. 21 breakout on the northern flank of Puʻu ʻŌʻō, the March 9 breakout originating near Puʻu Kahauale’a and extending about 2 km (1.2 mi) northward, and breakouts 5-6 km (3-4 mi) northeast of Puʻu ʻŌʻō. An overflight is planned for this morning.

Puʻu ʻŌʻō Observations: The tiltmeter on the north flank of Puʻu ʻŌʻō recorded minor variations. The sulfur dioxide emission rate from all East Rift Zone vents was about 400 tonnes/day when last measured on March 27.

Summit Observations: Tiltmeters at Kīlauea’s summit continued recording a modest amount of inflation – about +1 microradian per day. The summit lava lake level rose about 5 m (16 ft) over the past day. Summit tremor continued at relatively steady levels suggesting that spattering is more-or-less continuous. Sulfur dioxide emission rates averaged 4500 – 8300 tonnes/day for the week ending March 31; the higher numbers probably resulted from long spans of continuous, rather than intermittent, gas emissions between March 25 and 31.

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Community lava update meetings suspended until further notice

Hawaii County Civil Defense Administrator Darryl Oliveira announced the regularly scheduled Pahoa lava flow community update meetings are being suspended until further notice.

For the latest Civil Defense message, go to www.hawaiicounty.gov/active-al…. For more information, contact Hawai‘i County Civil Defense at (808) 935-0031.

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Mayor Kenoi signs third Emergency Supplementary Proclamation for the Puna area

The Mayor has signed his Third Emergency Supplementary Proclamation, due to the threat of disaster due to the June 27th lava flow in the District of Puna, effective Jan. 30, 2015. And that the Proclamation of Sept. 4, 2014, Supplementary Proclamation of Oct. 16, 2014 and Second Supplementary Proclamation of Dec. 3, 2014 shall remain in full force and effect.

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Governor Signs Proclamation Extending Emergency Period

Gov. David Ige signed a supplemental emergency proclamation March 2, 2015. The supplemental proclamation extends the emergency period for the lava flow that threatens the Puna district on Hawaii Island.

“The state stands ready to support Hawaii County in its response to the lava flow,” Ige said. “This extension of the emergency proclamation aids current monitoring and response and recovery efforts. The lava isn’t going to just go away and we need to work together to ensure the community’s health and safety.”

The extension suspends certain laws as needed for emergency purposes. Copy of the proclamation text can be found at www.scd.hawaii.gov/Proclamatio….

A request to expand the Presidential Disaster Declaration to include debris removal and permanent work to repair eligible government and private non-profit infrastructure damaged by the lava flow was submitted in early February.

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State air quality monitoring system website now active for Puna

The State of Hawaii Department of Health is currently operating three (3) air monitoring stations in the Pahoa and Leilani estates area in response to the current and ongoing eruption and lava flow activities. These monitiors detect the presence of air borne particles that may result from the burning materials (vegetation , grass, brush, and other materials). The data and information being collected by these monitors can be viewed at the following web site: emdweb.doh.hawaii.gov/air-qual… , click on “Quick Look” then go to “Puna Special Sites”.

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LAVA DANGER FORCES STATE LAND CLOSURE FOR PUBLIC SAFETY

Due to the recent lava flow activity adjacent to the Kaohe Homesteads area in the Puna district, the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) has closed all state unencumbered lands in the immediate vicinity.

These include the parcels designated by Tax Map Key numbers: (3) 1-5-01:21, 26 and (3) 1-5-08:01. Signs have been posted at various access points warning the public of the hazardous conditions.

DLNR has been receiving reports of tour groups and individuals wandering onto state lands to get a better look at the lava. Although the lava flow has temporarily stopped, there are outbreaks still entering onto state lands.

To ensure safety, DLNR is closing this area to all but essential personnel.

DLNR has also closed Wao Kele O Puna forest reserve, and Kahaualea Natural Area Reserve. Both areas are off-limits to all persons.

Entry into closed lands is a violation of Hawaii Administrative Rule Sec. 13-221-4 and Hawaii Revised Statute 171-6, and is subject of penalty up to $5,000 for the first offense. The Governor’s proclamation enhances the penalties for any offense committed during this emergency.

“DLNR intends to prosecute any trespassers who willfully violate the closures and place enforcement officers and emergency personnel at increased risk,” said William J. Aila,Jr., DLNR chairperson.

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Emergency Preparations Trigger Closure of Pahoa Senior Center

The county Department of Parks and Recreation has closed its Pahoa Senior Center so the facility may be used as an emergency fire station servicing the lower Puna community threatened with lava inundation.

Until the lava threat from Kilauea Volcano ends, the Hawaii County Nutrition Program and the Senior Club will operate from the Nanawale Community Center.

Coordinated Services for the Elderly (CSE) and Elderly Recreation Services (ERS) have been relocated to the Keaau Senior Center. For more details regarding the Department of Parks and Recreation’s elderly services, please call CSE at 961-8777 or ERS at 966- 5801.

The Department of Parks and Recreation apologizes for any inconvenience caused by the closure of the Pahoa Senior Center and thanks the public for its patience and understanding during this time of emergency.