UPDATED:
A Friday morning flyover revealed the lava flow had moved 300 yards overnight. Hawaii County Civil Defense officials say the leading edge of the approaching flow is now 250 yards, or less than one tenth of a mile, from Apaa Street, near the P?hoa Transfer Station.
A standing room only crowd packed P?hoa High School Thursday evening to get the latest lava update. Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists and Hawaii County Civil Defense Director Darryl Oliveira say the lava advanced 450 yards between Wednesday and Thursday and another 150 yards by 5 pm Thursday.
The lava flow rate from Pu'u 'O'o Vent has not increased, but the flow is narrowed and is now in a gully which is channeling it at a faster rate. Civil Defense has closed Cemetery road at Apa'a Street. They said if the current rate continues, the flow will reach Apaa Street on Friday
HVO geophysicist Mike Poland says more lava was being delivered to the tip of the front, which is part of the reason we’ve seen such increased activity.
Hawaii County will stop recycling at the P?hoa Transfer Station at noon Friday and close the transfer station at end of day. The new transfer station on Kauhale Street above P?hoa Community Center will open Saturday.
Hawai‘i County Civil Defense Director Darryl Oliveira has not called for evacuations. County workers will go door to door starting Friday to homes expected to be in the path of the lava to ensure residents are aware and help them plan.
Hawai‘i County Civil Defense Director Darryl Oliveira says all agencies are working together to ensure continued service on both sides of the flow.
The County is working closely with the Army Corps of Engineers on a plan to possibly cut a path in Highway 130 to let the lava flow through and make it easier to restore access to the highway.
Construction on Railroad and Beaches avenues is complete and will be opened if the lava crosses Highway 130. Chief Oliveira said work is proceeding as fast as possible on Chain of Craters Road.
Updates are posted frequently at the websites for Hawaiian Volcano Observatory and Hawaii County Civil Defense. Information is also available at the P?hoa Community Center, which is open from 8 am - 4 pm Monday through Friday.
