Grassroots community information and resource center at the corner of Highway 130 and Pohoiki Rd. Mahalo to Ikaika Marzo Day Rae Mendes Uncle Keoni, Ashley Kierkiewicz Chanade Alexsis and all the volunteers. Hot food, clothes, self care, blankets, etc., with NO RED TAPE for the people needing help. This is another great place to bring donations and help support the community.

AFTERNOON UPDATE on Check Points & Highway 130 (Morning update below):

I just got off the phone with Donald Smith of State Highways and they will put a steel plate over the crack and Hwy 130 will be open tomorrow morning. They will still need to be actively monitoring it because the levels of Sulfur Dioxide may become deadly again and they may have to reclose it, but it will be open starting in the morning! 🙂

We finally got some clear answers on how the check points work at will work starting today via Bill at the Civil Defense. Disclaimer: I am NOT the one setting this policy – I’m sorry – it’s burdensome.
PROPERTY OWNERS: Show some proof of address, like your property tax bill or electricity bill.
RENTERS & THOSE HELPING EVACUEES: The property owner must email eochilo@hawaiicounty.gov:
– Their name
– The address
– Pic of the Photo ID of the property owner.
– Proof they own the property
– List of all authorized individual’s names
– Your phone number & their phone number
– License plate number
– Vehicle description.
Civil Defense will then forward this to the police department and it will take 24 hours for the information to be in the Police Dept’s system at the checkpoints.

Morning Update:
Hwy 132 past Lava Tree Park and Hwy 137 (from 4 corners in Kapoho to Kalapana) is only open to residents. A roadblock being manned by DOCARE at the entrance to Govt. Beach Road from Hawaiian Shores through Wa`awa`a to 4 corners. National Guard and DOCARE units will be deployed along the coastline and all access points. Police will begin monitoring access on Railroad Avenue from the Hawaiian Beaches end. Only local traffic, (no sightseeing).

As of yesterday teams have been seeking everyone along Hwy 137 from Uncle Roberts to Kapoho at 4 corners to alert them of the possibility of being cut off, gassed, and/or having a lava flow pop up in their neighborhood. The request is alertness and early evacuation.

Update 5-9-18 by the Office of Jen Ruggles

104 acres have been covered by hot lava and 36 homes lost. Residents of Black Sands Subdivision were unsettled yesterday by booming noises and quakes under the subdivision. There was ground deformation and seismic activity under Black Sands, but not huge. There is no immediate threat UNLESS one feels constant tremors, smells sulfur gases, and see larger and larger cracks appear. Halemaumau has also become active. See Hawaii Volcano National Park video here. Key is education, alerting neighbors and preparation. I advise everyone in Puna to have an evacuation plan. District 5 is affected. See an evacuation guide below.

COMMUNITY MEETINGS
1. Hawaii Volcano Observatory is having a very LAST MINUTE MEETING 7 pm TONIGHT at at Kilauea Visitor center. This will an educational meeting regarding the potential for steam blasts and explosions at Halemaumau similar to 1924. There is an estimated two week window where the lava lake at summit may sink below the water table (around 1,500 ft deep), and if that happens, danger will be real. It may not happen, or the resulting events shows it is smaller threat.
2. Civil Defense community meeting Thursday, 5/10 5:30pm Pahoa High Cafeteria.
https://www.facebook.com/hawaiivolcanoesnps/videos/2011205718906754/

AIR QUALITY MONITORING
1. National Guard teams monitored varying quantities of Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) within evacuation area. Our Civil Defense office is in discussions with the Department of Health about putting a continuous air monitor at Pahoa. The Department of health reported they now have four SO2 monitors on island that will be reactivated and relocated. So far, one will be in Pahoa and one at Nanawale subdivision. These will have the ability to connect to the internet and report online. Our office is requesting the public have access to the information online, and that air monitors also be put in Kalapana, Kaimu, Seaview, Opihikao and Black Sands.
2. Stay informed of air quality using this website (even though its a bit hard to read it is the best I am aware of): http://ivhhn.org/?vog.

PUNA GEOTHERMAL VENTURE
The 60,000 gallons of pentane is being transported out and take some time to get out. Governor Ige stated that he has given the Mayor and Civil Defense the ability to take control of the PGV facility. This is to deal with the potential disaster that Pentane possesses and the possibility of blowouts of the geothermal wells that have from volcanic activity and earthquakes. All hazards, all risks will be identified and mitigated as best he can.

HELICOPTER RIDES
Paradise Helicopters is offering FREE rides over the evacuation area for evacuees Leilani and PunaLani. Call 808-969-7392 to be put on the waitlist and they will call you when there is an opening. The next opening is at 2:30pm today for one seat.

HOUSING
1. I encourage everyone who is OFFERING or NEEDS an extra room or house to create an account at couchsurfing.com
2. Air BnB hosts are offering free housing around the island and other locations for more information contact Lottie Tagupa 808-258-2996 or hnlhulagirl@aol.com

DONATIONS:
1. The grassroots information center at Highway 130 and Pohoiki Road (who is also needing help with and providing hot food – the county shelters are not providing hot food because of liability, if you can help with that, call me at 808-961-8263). They are asking for toiletries, personal hygiene items, ziplock bags, tents, tarps, and hep with hot food. (There has been some controversy about this information center being “illegitimate” however, I support them and am appreciative for everyone who have volunteered or donated.)
2. Food Basket (Instant soup/meals pop cans preferred, canned proteins (fish), personal care items (teeth care, soap, hair wash, wipes), 5-gallon buckets/water containers with covers, gift cards, money (www.hawaiifoodbasket.org)
3. Salvation Army has also taken on coordinating which shelters need what donations, needing slippers, tents, towels, eyeglasses and you can contact them at 808-756-0306.
4. Check out GoFundMe.com to find specific evacuees to help.

ROAD STATUS
• Highway 130 is closed between Malama Street and Kamaili Road.
• Pohoiki Road is closed from Highway 132 to Hinalo Street.
• No access is allowed at this time for residents of Lanipuna Gardens due to dangerous volcanic gases.

EVACUEE MAIL
1. Evacuees should pick up their mail at the Pahoa Post Office at 15-2859 Pahoa Village Road while their neighborhoods are inaccessible.
2. Evacuees should submit Change of Address forms so that their mail can be redirected to them in a timely manner.

UPS PACKAGES:
Aloha all. My name is Dan Straub, I’m the UPS supervisor for the big island. With all the recent events with the volcano we have been unable to deliver in the area that has been affected. That being said I’ve arranged to have myself and another driver at Sacred Heart church on Friday from 1030-230. We are in the process of contacting people with packages, but I wanted to put it out in a bigger forum for all to see. If you have been expecting packages we will have them out for pickup at sacred heart on Friday. To pickup packages I will need identification and if possible any other ways with your address so we can identify you. If you have any questions feel free to private message me. We want to reach as many affected customers as possible. Please share this post with any relevant groups. Mahalo for your time and we hope to see everyone we can Friday!

PETS (free shelters)
– Anyone with pets in some sort of container can take them to Pahoa Community Center if you are sheltering there.
– If you don’t have a container or are not staying at the shelter contact Mo at the Parks and Recreation Department to find a shelter for your pet at 557-7937.There are 2 options 1) The Equestrian Center and 2) The State Department of Ag Quarantine Station. You will need to take care of the food and water for your pets.
– We are compiling people volunteering their private properties and homes for a few pets at a time. Please contact my office 961-8263.

LIVESTOCK (free shelters)
– Cynthia McDonald has 8 acres of big fenced pasture in Kea’au she is donating to take in up to 200 cattle and horses. You can reach her at 968-8325.
– Contact Mo 557-7937 to explore your options for either the 1)  The Equestrian Center and 2) The State Department of Ag Quarantine Station. You will need to take care of the food and water for your pets.
EVACUATION ITEMS AND TO DO LIST (Our list is not meant to be exhaustive, but to give you a head start on planning.)

SUPPLIES TO HAVE PACKED
-Cell phone charger
-Copies of all forms of ID, passport, social security card, birth certificates, wills, and pictures of your family in ziplock/waterproof bag.
-Clothing
-Toilet paper, menstruation needs, soap, hair wash.
-Toothbrushes and toothpaste
-Medicines
-Bedding and towels
-Compact food items such as dried foods, snack bars, canned food
-Water bottles filled with water
-Flashlight and batteries
-Lighters
-Diapers and Baby Wipes
-Cash
-Map of the island and Puna area
-Pet food if needed
-Pet kennel
-Tarps
-Tent
-Handcrank radio

TO DO LIST
-Take pictures of your house, items you leave, and surroundings
-Take pictures of your family
-Fill your gas tank
-Upload copies of all forms of ID, passports, social security card, birth certificates, wills, pictures of your family to an online secure cloud drive and thumb drive. Pack thumb drive in water proof bag.
-Find homes for your pets, using resources such as https://www.punalavaflow2018.com/animal-help
-The Post Office is helping Puna evacuee with change of address: http://hawaiicountymayor.com/2018/05/08/post-office-is-helping-puna-evacuees-with-changes-of-address/
-Stay informed of air quality using these websites: http://ivhhn.org/?vog http://mkwc.ifa.hawaii.edu/vmap/hysplit/
-An overall resource webpage has been created that covers many of the considerations in this update: https://www.punalavaflow2018.com/
-Discuss a meeting place with your family if in the case you are separated and communication services are down.

Evacuation policy from Hawaii County  
For Leilani Estates, from 7 am to 6 pm, authorities will on the scene will allow residents to check on their properties and remove items of value.
Please, in executing this policy, the following are in effect:
-Individuals are allowed to enter Leilani Estates Subdivision to conduct business of checking their homes and removal of items of value
-Authorities on the scene will determine what areas will be safe for you to enter.
-Please be aware, because of changing conditions that involve toxic gas, lines of safety can change at any time.
-Sensitivity to Sulfur Dioxide is a very individual thing, You must use your senses of smell and sight to determine safety. You must know what is safe for you.
-Under no circumstances should children be allowed in restricted areas. Keep them safe.

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UPDATE May 7th, 2018: It’s official that the pentane will start being removed in the next few days.

In response to the calls about the pentane at PGV here is what I know:

Yesterday I saw Billy Clark’s facebook post about 60,000 gallons pentane currently at PGV so I went to civil defense office, and confirmed that this is in fact, true. I then went to the table where the national guard was stationed. As I started questioning them on who has the authority and ability to transport the pentane,
Talmadge Magno, Civil Defense Director, pulled me outside and said I should not talk directly to anyone at the civil defense office and if I needed anything I must go directly to him. I apologized and thanked him for making me aware of this policy. I told him many people are reasonably concerned about the pentane at PGV and asked, “who has the authority and ability to transport the pentane out of PGV?” Talmadge replied, “what if we move it and it explodes in transport, say in HPP?.”

I responded that I am not a scientist and am simply trying to get answers because people are very concerned for their safety. He said PGV is in alignment with what is required by them by the EPA, their emergency plan,: that the PGV has secured their site and the pentane has been moved to high ground surrounded by 800 acres, their risk assessment has determined that it is safer to leave at the site then to transport it out, and Hawaii Volcano Observatory would tell them when they’re in risk of lava. I responded with “Isn’t everyone in Leilani being required to evacuate because their at risk of lava?” He said “yes.” I asked, “Isn’t PGV in Lielani?” He said, “incorrect.” “So PGV is NOT in Leilani?” “No, it is not,” he replied. I then confirmed with him, “so it is civil defenses position that the pentane not be moved out until HVO advises them they’re in threat of lava?” He replied yes.

I called civil defense this morning to see if PGV’s position has changed since it appears the lava may be moving up mauka, and they responded that PGV has “secured the site since Friday, and personnel are currently on site are monitoring the situation.” I asked to speak with a representative of HVO, and they had Jim Kauahikaua the HVO scientist in-charge call me. I just spoke to him and told him what Talmadge said about PGV not being threatened by lava. He said he “doesn’t know who told him that” I asked him if he was aware of the 60,000 gallons of pentane at PGV. He said they hadn’t been focused on that and briefed me on the status of the lava. H then he said Mike Kaleikini (PGV liaison) was right there and he’d talk to him and call me back. 15 minutes later Jim called me back.

Jim said the pentane is stored in the pu’uhonua cone, “up high”, and will not be initially impacted by the lava. He explained some of the analysis on where the roads are, how lava flows, and that ultimately, if everything is covered by lava, since it’s high it will be the last thing covered as the lava will go around the base of cone, and that bottom line is lava flows down hill. Here is a segment of Talmadge being questioned about it, around 4 min in to the video. I hope this is helpful to you, and now you know what I know.

~ Railroad emergency access gates will open at 6:00am and close at 6:30pm. Govt. Beach road open without gates from HPP to Kapoho.

~ Evacuees can have access into Leilani from 7:00am to 6:00pm daily to check on homes and remove valuables provided air quality is sufficient to not pose a serious health threat. Bring ID but children should not enter the area due to air quality.

If you see a animal housing offer that fits your situation, we ask that YOU CONTACT THEM DIRECTLY by searching their name and messaging them on Facebook (if they haven’t said we can post their number publicly). Please post offers in the comments; this post will be updated as needed. Mahalo nui loa.