UPDATED (4:40 p.m. on 5/4/2018)

Hawaii County Civil Defense 4:40 p.m. audio message

This is a Civil Defense update for4:44 p.m., Friday, May 4, 2018.

Hawaiian Volcano Observatory confirms the volcanic eruption continues in Leilani Subdivision in the Puna District. Active volcanic vents are located on Makamae, Kaupili and Mohala Streets. New vents have opened near Kahukai and Pohoiki Road. There is no activity at Puna Geothermal Venture at this time. PGV is secured.

All residents of Leilani Estates and Lanipuna Gardens Subdivision are on evacuation notice. Police, Fire and County agencies along with the National Guard are assisting with evacuation.

Due to the eruption, the following are issued:

• Department of Water Supply reports an Emergency Water Restriction is now in effect for Leilani Estates, Nānāwale Estates, Kapoho and Lanipuna Gardens. ALL Water Supply customers must immediately restrict water use to health and safety needs only.
• A community meeting will be held tonight at Pahoa High School Cafeteria at 5:30 PM. Information will be shared about the status of the volcanic activity in Leilani Estates.
• United States Postal Service announced that evacuated residents can pick up their mail at the Pahoa Post Office. In addition, the downtown Hilo Post Office is closed until further notice due to structural damage from today’s earthquake.
• Hawaii Fire Department reports extremely dangerous air quality conditions due to high levels of Sulfur Dioxide gas in the evacuation area. Elderly, young, and people with compromised respiratory systems are especially vulnerable.
• The high levels detected are an immediate threat to life for all who become exposed. First responders may not be able to come to the aid of residents who refuse to evacuate.
• The area continues to be unstable with multiple volcanic eruptions happening. No one is allowed into the area. Do not attempt to return to your home at this time.
• All residents in Leilani Estates and Lanipuna Gardens Subdivisions have been placed on evacuation status. The Pahoa Community Center is available as a pet friendly shelter, and the Kea’au Community Center has been established as an alternative pet friendly evacuation center farther away for those sensitive to vog. Call Civil Defense at 935-0031 for any emergency needs.
• Residents evacuating should bring an emergency evacuation supply kit including necessary medicine, food, and necessary items for your comfort if possible.

County, State and Federal partners continue to monitor the situation. You will be informed of any conditions that affect your safety.

A new lava fissure commenced around 1:00 am HST on KÄ«lauea Volcano’s lower East Rift Zone on Makamae and Leilani Streets in the Leilani Estates subdivision. Spatter was being thrown roughly 30 m (about 100 ft) high at the time of this photo. Copious amounts of sulfur dioxide gas, which should be avoided, is emitted from active fissures. The eruption is dynamic and changes could occur with little warning. Photo taken Friday, May 4, 2018 courtesy of U.S. Geological Survey

Steaming cracks at 5:57 a.m. HST in Leilani Estates subdivision, moments before a fissure opened up on Kaupili Street. Photo taken Friday, May 4, 2018 courtesy of U.S. Geological Survey

Fissure at Leilani and Kaupili Streets in Leilani Estates subdivision at 8:07 a.m. HST today. Lava on the road was approximately 2 m (about 2 yd) thick. Photo taken Friday, May 4, 2018 courtesy of U.S. Geological Survey

Three vent sites in Leilani Estates subdivision at 6:30 a.m. Friday, May 4, 2018. The area has been evacuated due to fumes, fire and lava hazards. Photos by Steven Royston | Special to Hawaii 24/7

One of the new vent sites in Leilani Estates subdivision at 6:30 a.m. Friday, May 4, 2018. The area has been evacuated due to fumes, fire and lava hazards. Photos by Steven Royston | Special to Hawaii 24/7

Structures on fire from the lava in Leilani Estates subdivision at 6:30 a.m. Friday, May 4, 2018. The area has been evacuated due to fumes, fire and lava hazards. Photos by Steven Royston | Special to Hawaii 24/7

This map shows the locations, mapped by USGS-HVO scientists, of the three eruptive fissures in the order that they occurred in the Leilani Estates Subdivision as of 8:00 a.m. HST today (May 4). The fissures are jetting copious amounts of sulfur dioxide gas, which should be avoided. Spatter is also being emitted, but lava flows are not extending far from the active fissures. The eruption remains dynamic, which means that changes could occur with little notice. Updated maps will be posted on this webpage as new information becomes available. Eruption updates are posted on HVO’s website at https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/status.html — or you can sign up to receive automatic update messages through the USGS Volcano Notification Service at http://volcanoes.usgs.gov/vns/. USGS-HVO scientists continue to closely monitor the volcanic activity on KÄ«lauea Volcano’s lower East Rift Zone.

UPDATED (2:15 p.m. on 5/4/2018)

This is a Civil Defense update for 2:15 p.m., Friday, May 4, 2018.

Hawaiian Volcano Observatory confirms the volcanic eruption continues in Leilani Subdivision in the Puna District.
Active volcanic vents are located on Makamae,  Kaupili and Mohala Streets. A new vent has opened near the intersection of Leilani Avenue and Kahukai Road. There is no activity at Puna Geothermal Venture at this time. PGV is secured.
All residents of Leilani Estates and Lanipuna Gardens Subdivision are ordered to evacuate immediately.
Police, Fire and County agencies along with the National Guard are assisting with evacuation.
Due to the eruption, the following are issued:

• A community meeting will be held tonight at Pahoa High School Cafeteria at 5:30 PM. Information will be shared about the status of the volcanic activity in Leilani Estates.
• Hawaii Fire Department reports extremely dangerous conditions due to high levels of Sulfur Dioxide gas in the evacuation area. Elderly, young, and people with compromised respiratory systems are especially vulnerable.
• The high levels detected are an immediate threat to life for all who become exposed. First responders may not be able to come to the aid of residents who refuse to evacuate.
• The area continues to be unstable with multiple volcanic eruptions happening. No one is allowed into the area. Do not attempt to return to your home at this time.
• All residents in Leilani Estates and Lanipuna Gardens Subdivisions have been ordered to evacuate. The Pahoa Community Center and the Kea’au Community Center are open for shelter.
• Residents evacuating should bring an emergency evacuation supply kit including necessary medicine, food, and necessary items for your comfort if possible.

County, State, and Federal partners continue to monitor the situation. You will be informed of any conditions that affect your safety.

Thank you for listening. This is your Hawai’i County Civil Defense Agency.

UPDATED (2:16 p.m. on 5/4/2018)

Mayor Harry Kim will be holding a community Meeting tonight at 5:30 p.m. at Pahoa High School Cafeteria. Please come and talk story with your County government folks who are monitoring the eruption event.

UPDATED (1:07 p.m. on 5/4/2018)

Effective immediately, the DLNR Division of State Parks has closed its Lava Tree State Monument and Mackenzie State Recreation Area until further notice. Gates to these parks will be locked and closure signs posted.

This action was taken after consultation with Hawaii County Emergency and Parks and Recreation which recommended the closures due to earthquake activity in the Puna area.

UPDATED (12:30 p.m. on 5/4/2018)

Hawaii County Civil Defense 12:15 p.m. audio message

This is a Civil Defense update for 12:30 p.m., Friday, May 4, 2018.

Hawaiian Volcano Observatory confirms the volcanic eruption continues in Leilani Subdivision in the Puna District.

Active volcanic vents are located on Makamae, Kaupili and Mohala Streets. A new vent has opened near the intersection of Leilani Avenue and Kahukai Road. There is no activity at Puna Geothermal Venture at this time. PGV is secured.

All residents of Leilani Estates and Lanipuna Gardens Subdivision are ordered to evacuate immediately.

Police, Fire and County agencies along with the National Guard are assisting with evacuation.

Due to the eruption, the following are issued:

• Hawaii Fire Department reports extremely dangerous conditions due to high levels of Sulfur Dioxide gas in the evacuation area. Elderly, young, and people with compromised respiratory systems are especially vulnerable.
• The high levels detected are an immediate threat to life for all who become exposed. First responders may not be able to come to the aid of residents who refuse to evacuate.
• The area continues to be unstable with multiple volcanic eruptions happening. No one is allowed into the area. Do not attempt to return to your home at this time.
• All residents in Leilani Estates and Lanipuna Gardens Subdivisions have been ordered to evacuate. The Pahoa Community Center and the Kea’au Community Center are open for shelter.
• Residents evacuating should bring an emergency evacuation supply kit including necessary medicine, food, and necessary items for your comfort if possible.

County, State and Federal partners continue to monitor the situation. You will be informed of any conditions that affect your safety.

UPDATED (9:30 a.m. on 5/4/2018)

Hawaii County Civil Defense 9:30 a.m. audio message

Hawaiian Volcano Observatory confirms the volcanic eruption continues in Leilani Subdivision in the Puna District.

Active volcanic vents are erupting on Makamae, Kaupili and Mohala Streets. All Leilani Estates and Lanipuna Gardens Subdivision residents are ordered to evacuate immediately.

Police, Fire and County agencies along with the National Guard are assisting with evacuation.

Due to the eruption, the following are issued:

• Hawaii Fire Department reports extremely dangerous conditions due to high levels of Sulfur Dioxide gas in the evacuation area. Elderly, young, and people with compromised respiratory systems are especially vulnerable.
• The high levels detected are an immediate threat to life for all who become exposed. First responders may not be able to come to the aid of residents who refuse to evacuate.
• The area continues to be unstable with multiple volcanic eruptions happening. No one is allowed into the area. Do not attempt to return to your home at this time.
• All residents in Leilani Estates and Lanipuna Gardens Subdivisions have been ordered to evacuate. The Pahoa Community Center and the Kea’au Community Center are open for shelter.
• Residents evacuating should bring an emergency evacuation supply kit including necessary medicine, food, and necessary items for your comfort if possible.
• The Hawaii Police Department reminds the public that a temporary flight restriction is in place for most of lower Puna.
• Drones can be confiscated in the Temporary Flight Restriction Area (TFR). More at tfr.faa.gov
• Pohoiki Road is closed from the intersection at Highway 132 down to Highway 137 to ensure safety away from dangerous gases and other hazards.

County, State and Federal partners continue to monitor the situation. You will be informed of any conditions that affect your safety.

UPDATED (7:45 a.m. on 5/4/2018)

USGS Update at 7:45 a.m.

An eruption is in progress along KÄ«lauea Volcano’s lower East Rift Zone. Since late afternoon May 3, at least three small fissure vents have opened in Leilani Estates subdivision in the lower Puna district. At this time, activity consists mostly of vigorous lava spattering. Additional outbreaks in the area are likely. Deflationary tilt at the summit of the volcano continues and the lava lake level continues to drop.

This is a Civil Defense update for 4:20 a.m., Friday, May 4, 2018.

Hawaii County Civil Defense 4:20 a.m. audio message

Hawaiian Volcano Observatory confirms the volcanic eruption continues in Leilani Subdivision in the Puna District.

Active volcanic vents are erupting on Makamae and Mohala Streets, all Leilani Estates, and Lanipuna Gardens Subdivision residents are ordered to evacuate immediately.

Police, Fire and County agencies along with the National Guard are assisting with the evacuation.

Due to the eruption, the following are issued:

• Kua O Ka La Charter School, Hawaii Academy of Arts and Science, Keonepoko Elementary and Pahoa High, Intermediate, and Elementary will be closed today.
• Hawaii Fire Department reports extremely high levels of dangerous Sulfur Dioxide gas detected in the evacuation area.
• Elderly, young, and people with respiratory issues need to comply with the mandatory evacuation order and leave the area.
• All residents in Leilani Estates and Lanipuna Gardens Subdivisions are required to evacuate. The Pahoa Community Center and the Kea’au Community Center are open for shelter.
• Residents evacuating should bring an emergency evacuation supply kit including necessary medicine, food, and necessary items for your comfort if possible.
• The Hawaii Police Department reminds the public that a temporary flight restriction is in place for most of lower Puna.
• Drones can be confiscated in the Temporary Flight Restriction Area (TFR). More at tfr.faa.gov
• Pohoiki Road is closed from the intersection at Highway 132 down to Highway 137 to allow evacuation efforts to proceed.
• Puna Geothermal Venture power production is suspended until further notice.

Hawaii County Civil Defense, Police, Fire and partners continue to assist evacuation efforts and monitor the situation. You will be informed of any conditions that affect your safety.