Governor Signs Proclamation Extending Emergency Period for Puna Lava Flow

A breakout occurs from an inflated lobe of the June 27th lava flow on Sunday morning, November 2, 2014. This is upslope of the stalled leading edge. Photo courtesy USGS/ Hawaiian Volcano Observatory. File photo Nov. 2014.

By Maui Now Staff

Governor David Ige signed a supplemental emergency proclamation yesterday, Mar. 2, 2015 extending the emergency period for the lava flow that threatens the Puna district on Hawaiʻi Island.

“The state stands ready to support Hawaiʻi County in its response to the lava flow,” said Gov. Ige in a press release statement.

“This extension of the emergency proclamation aids current monitoring and response and recovery efforts. The lava isn’t going to just go away and we need to work together to ensure the community’s health and safety,” said Gov. Ige.

The extension suspends certain laws as needed for emergency purposes.

A request to expand the Presidential Disaster Declaration to include debris removal and permanent work to repair eligible government and private non-profit infrastructure damaged by the lava flow was submitted in early February.