Hawai'i Governor David Ige

"Air Quality is Safe in the Hawaiian Islands" - Hawai'i Governor David Ige and State's Top Health Official.

HONOLULU, May 25, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Knowing travelers are expressing concerns about emissions from Kīlauea volcano, Hawai'i Governor David Ige and State Department of Health Director Dr. Virginia Pressler emphasized today that the air quality of the Hawaiian Islands is safe and should not dissuade them from booking vacations. Dr. Pressler commented, "The air quality for the vast majority of the Hawaiian Islands is clean and healthy. The emissions from Kīlauea volcano are a non-factor for O'ahu, Maui, Moloka'i, Lāna'i and Kaua'i. The weather is beautiful and warm with cooling trade winds everywhere in Hawai'i and is exactly what travelers expect when coming here for a relaxing and fun vacation experience. This includes Hilo, Pāhoa and the Kona and Kohala coasts on the island of Hawai'i.

"The areas where precautions are required for people are in lower Puna where lava is flowing and downwind from there on the island of Hawai'i, particularly if they have respiratory problems. Because of heavy emissions of vog, as well as occasional bursts of ash plumes from the Kīlauea summit, the southeast portions of the island are also routinely experiencing concerning conditions. Those visiting areas south of Hilo should stay alert for air quality updates, especially when wind conditions change. Fortunately, when trade winds are blowing, the vog and ash routinely move in a southwesterly direction and out to sea away from the Hawaiian Islands."

Governor Ige stated, "Hawai'i's air quality is being closely monitored on a continuing basis by scientists, meteorologists and the Hawai'i State Department of Health. This team of experts says the air quality in the Hawaiian Islands is safe for residents and visitors, except in the affected areas.

"Two other topics that I want to alleviate people's concerns about are laze and the Puna Geothermal Venture plant. Laze is a natural reaction that occurs whenever lava flows into the ocean as it is doing now and has from time to time over the past 35 years. This is all part of nature's way of creating new land for life to grow. Laze is limited to the area where the lava meets the ocean and is not a danger to people who keep a safe distance away.

"At the Puna Geothermal Venture plant, the state is actively directing protective actions to reduce the risk from lava flows moving nearby. The underground wells have been sealed and secured minimizing the threat to the safety of people and communities.

"The bottom line is that there is no reason for travelers to avoid making their vacation plans in the Hawaiian Islands due to safety concerns because of Kīlauea volcano.

"Visitors will be welcomed with open arms and treated to the hospitality, aloha, warmth and natural beauty that is found everywhere in Hawai'i. The only area to avoid is lower Puna where the eruption is ongoing."

George D. Szigeti, president and CEO of the Hawai'i Tourism Authority, echoed the governor's sentiment in welcoming visitors to Hawai'i. "We understand the concern some travelers may have about coming to Hawai'i while Kīlauea volcano is so much more active at this time. But we encourage everyone to do their research and rely on trusted federal, state and county resources that are providing truthful, accurate information about what is taking place in Hawai'i. Those who do will find that coming to Hawai'i is a smart decision to enjoy a wonderful summer vacation."

Kīlauea has been an active volcano since 1983 and is one of Hawai'i's most popular attractions. Over the years residents and visitors have been drawn to the wonder of seeing nature at work in the creation of new land via tours or visits to Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park. Most of the park is currently closed until further notice.

For the latest update on air quality in the Hawaiian Islands, please reference the State of Hawai'i Interagency Vog Information Dashboard: http://www.ivhhn.org/vog/

For the latest tourism updates please visit the Special Alerts page of the Hawai'i Tourism Authority: http://www.hawaiitourismauthority.org/news/special-alert/

Travelers planning a trip to the Hawaiian Islands who have questions can contact the Hawai'i Tourism United States Call Center at 1-800-GOHAWAII (1-800-464-2924).

Island Of Hawai'i Volcano Update

Official Statement On Current Situation

PUNA, Hawaii, May 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- As news of volcanic activity taking place in a remote area on the island of Hawai'iʻs east side continues to make headlines around the world, it is important that travelers headed to the island understand that "there is absolutely no reason at this time to change or alter their leisure or business plans," according to Ross Birch, executive director of the Island of Hawai'i Visitors Bureau.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

• There is absolutely no reason at this time for travelers to change or alter their leisure or business plans.
• All of the Hawaiian Islands are unaffected by Kīlauea volcano except a remote area on the island of Hawai'i's east side. Out of the island's 4,028 square miles, only less than a 10-square-mile area of Leilani Estates and Lanipuna Gardens Subdivisions in Puna is affected.
• Air Access: All flights into Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keāhole - KOA (west) and HiloInternational Airport - ITO (east) are operating normally.
• Accommodations and Activities: All accommodations, activities and attractions on the island are also operating normally, with the exception of those in the area affected by the lava activity.
• Air Quality: Air quality on the island of Hawai'i remains largely unchanged with this situation. However, air quality near where the lava is flowing can be hazardous (SO2-sulfur dioxide), and officials are continuing to monitor air quality.

HAWAI'I COUNTY CIVIL DEFENSE ERUPTION MAP
To view the interactive map (please wait for the page to load), visit: https://bit.ly/2JV840r

AIRPORTS, ACCOMMODATIONS & ACTIVITIES

• All airports on the island of Hawai'i continue to operate normally.
• All accommodations, activities and attractions on the island are also operating normally, with the exception of those in the area affected by the lava activity.
• Visitors who have already booked a trip to the island of Hawai'i with accommodations or activities in/near the Puna district, should call their provider with any questions or concerns.

ERUPTION LOCATION

• The volcanic activity and where lava has flowed is limited to an isolated area in lower Puna on the island's east side.
• This is more than 100 miles away from the western Kohala and Kona Coasts, where the island's major visitor accommodations and resorts are located. This is the area furthest from the current activity.
• In addition, Hilo town is approximately 20 miles away and unaffected by Kīlauea volcano.
• Kīlauea is one of the most active volcanoes on Earth, and has been erupting for the past 35 years.
• The topography of the island between east and west is unconducive for a natural flow.
• Out of the island's 4,028 square miles, only less than a 10-square-mile area of Leilani Estates and Lanipuna Gardens Subdivisions in the district of Puna is affected.

AIR QUALITY
Air quality on the island of Hawai'i remains unchanged with the exception of the eruption location, which can have hazardous levels of SO2 (sulfur dioxide). Officials constantly monitor SO2 levels across the island. VOG or volcanic haze is relatively common on an island with active volcanoes, and the level of haze is dependent on volcanic activity and wind direction/strength. To view SO2 conditions in real-time across the state, visit http://www.hiso2index.info/. For statewide Air Quality, visit Air Now at https://bit.ly/2I33ixd (data and forecasts courtesy of the Hawai'i Department of Health – Environmental Health).

HAWAI'I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK
Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park is currently open from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. daily. This includes Jaggar Museum (open from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., with the outdoor overlook open until 10:00 p.m.), Kīlauea Visitor Center (9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.) and other areas listed here https://www.nps.gov/havo. Residents and visitors can still view the lava activity and glow from Halema'uma'u Crater.

For Park updates, visit  https://www.nps.gov/havo/planyourvisit/lava2.htm.

ACCESSIBILITY IN EAST HAWAI'I

• As active volcanic vents are erupting in the area, all residents of Leilani Estates and Lanipuna Gardens Subdivisions are required to evacuate.
• Pohoiki Road is closed from the intersection at Highway 132 down to Highway 137 to allow evacuation efforts of residents in Leilani Estates and Lanipuna Gardens Subdivisions to proceed whenever possible.
• Residents and visitors who do not have official business in the active evacuation area (Leilani Estates and Lanipuna Gardens Subdivisions) are asked to stay away to keep the roads as clear as possible and allow homeowners to evacuate.
• Temporary flight restrictions are in place for most of lower Puna. Drones will be confiscated in this area.
• Those who have rented accommodations or made tour reservations in the general area should check with those respective companies for the latest updates.
• Unless otherwise noted, area businesses are open and accessible. Motorists are advised to drive with caution and be prepared for increased traffic.
• Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) Division of State Parks has closed Lava Tree State Monument and Mackenzie State Recreation Area until further notice.
• As a safety precaution, the County of Hawai'i has closed the Kalapana Viewing Area until further notice.

VOLCANOES IN HAWAI'I
Eruptions of Hawaiian volcanoes are typically nonexplosive or weakly explosive. Hawaiian eruptions, which is a term used by volcanologists worldwide to characterize similar eruptive style at other volcanoes, are usually gentle due to its highly fluid lava composition which tends to flow freely both beneath the surface and upon eruption. For more information about Hawaiian eruptions, visit  https://pubs.usgs.gov/gip/hawaii/page26.html.

Travelers planning a trip to the island of Hawai'i who have questions can contact the Hawai'i Tourism United States Call Center at 1-800-GOHAWAII (1-800-464-2924). For other updates, visit http://hawaiitourismauthority.org/news/special-alert/.

HELPFUL LINKS

Hawai'i County Civil Defense
http://www.hawaiicounty.gov/active-alerts

Hawai'i County Eruption Map
https://bit.ly/2JV840r

Hawaiian Volcano Observatory / USGS
https://on.doi.gov/2FEPVBm

Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park
https://www.nps.gov/havo/planyourvisit/lava2.htm

SO2 Measurement Map – Department of Health
http://www.hiso2index.info

General Air Quality / Air Now
https://bit.ly/2I33ixd

Hawaiian Eruptions
https://pubs.usgs.gov/gip/hawaii/page26.html

TOURISM UPDATES
Hawai'i Tourism Authority Special Alerts
http://www.hawaiitourismauthority.org/news/special-alert/

TRAVELERS MAY CALL
Travelers planning a trip to the island of Hawai'i who have questions can contact the 
Hawai'i Tourism United States Call Center at 1-800-GO-HAWAII (1-800-464-2924).

SOURCE:  Island of Hawai‘i Visitors Bureau