Kilauea Eruption: Residents in Kapoho area told to evacuate as lava will cut-off roadways Wednesday (May 30)

Hawaii County Civil Defense interactive map of roadblocks, subdivisions, and eruption fissures: hawaii247.com/lavamap

USGS Resources related to the 2018 Kilauea Lower East Rift Zone eruption and Summit Activity

KÄ«lauea Eruption Information Resources: www.hawaiicounty.gov/lava-related/

Kilauea Eruption Update

Lava fountaining on the Lower East Rift Zone. Photo taken Wednesday, May 30, 2018 courtesy of Hawaii County Fire Department

Lava fountaining on the Lower East Rift Zone. Photo taken Wednesday, May 30, 2018 courtesy of Hawaii County Fire Department


USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory status of Kilauea volcano in Hawaii on May 30, 2018.
On Camera: Wendy Stovall, USGS Volcanologist

Map as of 3:00 p.m. HST, May 30, 2018. Given the dynamic nature of KÄ«lauea's lower East Rift Zone eruption, with changing vent locations, fissures starting and stopping, and varying rates of lava effusion, map details shown here are accurate as of the date/time noted. Shaded purple areas indicate lava flows erupted in 1840, 1955, 1960, and 2014-2015.

Map as of 3:00 p.m. HST, May 30, 2018. Given the dynamic nature of KÄ«lauea’s lower East Rift Zone eruption, with changing vent locations, fissures starting and stopping, and varying rates of lava effusion, map details shown here are accurate as of the date/time noted. Shaded purple areas indicate lava flows erupted in 1840, 1955, 1960, and 2014-2015.

This is a Civil Defense Message for 6 p.m., Wednesday, May 30, 2018.

Hawaiian Volcano Observatory reports that lava from several fissures continues to move through Leilani Estates, Lanipuna Gardens and towards the Kapoho area. Residents of Kapoho Beach Lots and Vacationland are advised to evacuate due to the possibility of lava cutting off access to Beach Road near Four Corners. One lava flow is approximately 2 ½ miles from Four Corners and a second is about a half-a-mile from Highway 137, north of Ahalanui County Park. Leilani Estates mandatory evacuation in effect past Pomaikai Street.

Due to the volcanic activity the following policies are in effect:

  • Beach Road, from Four Corners to Hawaiian Beaches, is restricted to resident access only, between 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., to allow continued evacuations.
  • Highway 132 is closed.
  • Leilani Estates residents with approved credentials are allowed to enter at 7 a.m. but must leave by 6 p.m. This curfew is strictly enforced for your safety. A mandatory evacuation is in effect past Pomaikai Street.
  • Residents close to any volcanic activity should remain alert and be prepared to voluntarily evacuate if necessary.
  • Stay tuned to local radio stations for updates from Civil Defense.

Due to changing conditions, the following is provided for your information:

  • The Dept. of Health has received reports of children using N95 masks in school and outside. Please be advised masks are not intended for use by children or infants. Reduce their exposure by keeping them inside.
  • High concentrations of sulfur dioxide (SO2) are still present in the Leilani Estates area, where fissures continue to emit gasses.
  • Residents close to any volcanic activity should remain alert and be prepared to voluntarily evacuate if necessary.
  • A meeting to discuss vog and ash exposure is scheduled in the Ka‘u District at the Robert Herkes Gym in Pahala at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 30, 2018.

The following is provided for your information:

  • Cell Phone and Telephone landline communications in the Kapoho area have been severely limited due to downed power and telephone lines.
  •  Stay tuned to local radio stations for updates from Civil Defense.
  • The Dept. of Health has changed the venue for today’s meeting to discuss vog and ash exposure in the Ka‘u District. It will be at the Robert Herkes Gym and Emergency Shelter in Pahala at 5:30 p.m. tonight (May 30).

Due to the volcanic activity, the following policies are in effect:

  • Residents close to the active eruption need to leave the area to avoid being isolated by the flow.
  • Authorities are going door to door on the affected streets.
  • Stay alert for warnings from Civil Defense Officials
  • The Pahoa Community Center, Keaau Community Center, and Sure Foundation Church are open.  The shelters are pet-friendly.

Due to the lava entry at the ocean, the following policies are in effect:

  • Access to the area is prohibited due to the laze hazard.
  • Stay away from any ocean plume since it can change direction without warning.
  • The U.S. Coast Guard is actively monitoring the ocean entry area and enforcing a 300-meter standoff zone. Only permitted tour boats are allowed in the area.
  • Health hazards of laze include lung, eye and skin irritation.
  • Be aware that the laze plume travels with the wind and can change direction without warning.
  • Tankers are providing drinking water in Vacationland & Kapoho.
  • For those evacuating, the Pahoa Community Center, Keaau Community Center, and Sure Foundation Church are open. Food will be provided and the shelters are pet-friendly.

Get the latest Vog Predictions here: http://mkwc.ifa.hawaii.edu/vmap/


Video of fissure 8 on KÄ«lauea Volcano’s lower East Rift Zone on May 30, 2018. Fountain heights exceeded 200 feet and secondary fountains reached heights of 60 feet. The second video looks down Kupono Street, just south of Leilani Street, in the Leilani Estates subdivision, where chilled rock from the fissure 8 fountain have fallen.


On May 27, 2018, the Department of Interior Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) KÄ«lauea response team was conducting mapping missions in the lower East Rift Zone to monitor lava flow advancement rates and direction toward Highway 132 and populated areas. Around 7 pm the team launched an aircraft to assess the area in the northeast corner of Leilani Estates and identified a new outbreak of Pāhoehoe lava that was very rapidly moving north down Luana Street into a residential area. The team notified the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and field operations of the flow and a need to evacuate the area between Makamae and Nohea Streets to the north of Leilani Avenue. The team began providing live video coverage of the flow’s progress to emergency officials in the EOC, who dispatched police and fire units to clear residents off the street. The UAS team continued to provide live coverage of the breakout, and EOC personnel were able to use the information to guide their evacuation actions, including dispatching an emergency alert notification to anyone in the area. During the preflight of that aircraft, the team overheard radio transmissions that there was a civilian trapped at their residence on Luana Street. The team confirmed the location of the residence and flew into the area to assess if we could be of assistance. The individual was spotted and instructed to “follow the drone to safety.” The individual began moving through the jungle toward Nohea Street, where the drone was hovering. While he was making his way through the jungle, the UAS team was able to track him visually (he was using a cell phone flashlight) and information about his location was relayed to the ground searchers. After about 10 minutes of providing direction information to both the stranded person and the first responders, the search team was able to make contact and guide him to safety. The UAS team stayed onsite until the crews were clear of the area. The UAS team, field operations, and EOC worked the situation for 2.5 hours. In addition to the SAR mission the UAS team was able track the rate of advancement of the flow along Nohea Street and provide real-time information to field operations and live video feed to the EOC regarding the rate and direction of the flow as well as any structures destroyed. Coordination between field ops, the ground searchers, dispatch, the EOC and the DOI UAS team was very effective and we are proud to have been part of this effort. This video shows the UAS being used for aerial reconnaissance to assist in getting messages to emergency responders (seen using flashlights in the video) to rescue the resident. Video by the U.S. Geological Survey and Office of Aviation Services, Department of the Interior, with support from the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory. Live stream technology provided by NASA Ames.

Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) and Vog

Click on image for a full description of air quality levels.

Click on image for full description of air quality levels.

Volcanic gas emissions remain elevated throughout the area downwind of the vents in lower Puna.

  • Severe conditions may exist such as choking and inability to breathe.
  • Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) gas from fissures are especially dangerous for elderly, children/babies and people with respiratory problems.

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

Monitor vog levels and forecasts: People on Hawaii Island outside the area of volcanic activity are also advised to monitor levels of vog at https://vog.ivhhn.org

The residents of Puna are going through a very difficult time. We ask for your help and understanding.

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