Local News

UPDATE: 7:35 p.m. Puna Geothermal Venture removed at least 12,000 gallons of flammable pentane today from its plant and moved it to a secure location in Shipman Industrial Park in Keaau, Hawaii County Civil Defense officials said tonight. Another roughly 50,000 gallons were expected to be moved Thursday or Friday, according to a power plant spokesman. With the gas having an explosive potential and lava flowing in the area, Gov. […]

Eruption update: Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) confirms fissure 15 in Lanipuna Subdivision has paused. Hazardous fumes continue to be released. 15 FISSURES EMERGED 116.57 ACRES COVERED BY LAVA 36 STRUCTURES DESTROYED Visit the new link on the Civil Defense website for better public access to the eruption map: https://goo.gl/i7RbrB. Evacuation Update: HPD evacuated 10 homes at 3:00pm on Alaili Road, west of Highway 130 between Malama Street and Kamaili Road […]

Scientists at the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory are warning that the steady lowering of the Halemaumau lava lake at Kilauea volcano’s summit overlook crater indicates that explosive eruptions are possible in the coming weeks. HVO said that there is typically “very little warning” of steam-driven explosions at volcanoes. “If the lava column drops to the level of groundwater beneath Kilauea Caldera, influx of water into the conduit could cause steam-driven explosions,” […]

UPDATE: 8:30 a.m. The Hawaii National Guard will be increasing their patrol of Leilani Estates. An additional 20 National Guardsmen will be assigned to the subdivision, bringing their complement to 95. The Guard says this is in response to community demand for more security following an evacuation order by Hawaii County Civil Defense. Hawaii County Police Chief Paul Ferreira reports there was a burglary in the evacuation area. 7 a.m. […]

UPDATE: 2:30 p.m. Hawaii County Civil Defense said this afternoon that two more fissures have opened up in Leilani Estates and another home has been confirmed destroyed, bringing the total to 27 in the lower Puna neighborhood. Officials said the two new vents, No. 13 and 14, around midday. One of the fissures fizzled out, but the other put out enough lava to burn a 27th home in Leilani Estates. […]