PAHOA, Hawaii » An evacuation notice for Pahoa residents affected by the flow of lava from Kilauea Volcano has been lifted, and Pahoa Village Road is expected to reopen this week.
The town’s major roadway was closed in late October as lava threatened to cross it. Work to reopen Pahoa Village Road between Apaa Street and Post Office Road began Monday, and the stretch could open to traffic as soon as Thursday, said Civil Defense Director Darryl Oliveira.
Lava made it about 500 feet from the road before stalling, although breakouts of lava coming from the volcano continue higher up.
Hawaiian Electric Light Co. crews are removing cinder and other material wrapped around wooden poles as a measure of protection from the lava that had been expected to cross the road.
Pahoa Village Road will reopen for two-way traffic after the cinder and barriers put in place are removed and the county Department of Public Works deems it safe for drivers, said Oliveira.
Smoke conditions were moderate to heavy Monday, with a light west wind pushing smoke downslope through the area of Pahoa and lower Puna.
Discussions are underway to establish a public viewing site at Pahoa’s recycling and transfer station, where lava oozed through the fence earlier this month.
Environmental Management Director Bobby Jean Leithead Todd said the area would first be used to educate Keonepoko Elementary School students about the lava flow. The school was closed in October, and students relocated to a mobile campus in Keaau High School’s parking lot.
Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists reported Monday that a lava breakout near an abandoned geothermal well site is widening the flow field in the area, with a width varying between about 275 and 380 yards. Since breakouts in the area started Wednesday, the lava has flowed down 1 mile along the north and west margin of the original June 27 flow.
The new lobe is 3.5 miles southwest of the transfer station on Apaa Street. Smaller breakouts are also active about 2.2 miles and 3.3 miles below Puu Oo.
