of that lava flow on the
Big Island.... is keeping
officials on their toes.
KITV4's Lara Yamada joins
us LIVE from Pa--hoa --
where community members
are being told to prepare
for MORE CHANGES. LARA.
Just as it started to get
light out here -- more
police started rolling
in. As you can see
behind me it's now a
combination of police and
guards
members.
Here's the latest update
as of 2am this morning --
the flow was only about
170 yards from Pahoa
Village Road -- and less
than a 1/2 mile from
Highway 130. came close
to stopping at the flow
front yesterday -- barely
creeping
along. As of last night
it was only a few fee
from that burm built by
one resident to protect
his home. But the flow
is getting wider -- and
there are growing
breakouts both north and
south of the flow.
There's an old gas
station across from the
resident with the burm
that could be in trouble
-- officials say the
tanks HAVE been removed.
As for those utility
poles in jeopardy -- fire
crews and the county have
prepared a specialized
mix of water and foam to
super-soak the thermal
blanket and barrier
around it. The heat from
the lava burned the
buried part of the pole
-- sinking it 10 feet --
but as of last night --
it was still standing.
Were hearing more about
people trying to pass
through
people's properties.
Including those two who
were
arrested for doing that.
But it's been a tough
people's properties.
Including those two who
were arrested for doing
that. But it's been a
tough balance for
officials -- who are
trying keep people safe,
but preserve access for
residents -- and the
chance to be a part of
history.
1758-26 REP. RUSSELL
RUDDERMAN/D-PAHOA) "THE
THING IS THIS IS A
COMMUNITY THAT'S BEEN
LIVING WITH LAVA FOR VERY
LONG TIME ON THE OTHER
SIDE OF THE MOUNTAIN AND
COME UPON US GOING DOWN
TO SEE THE LOT AND
WALKING THERE IS
SOMETHING THAT LONGTIME
RESIDENTS HAVE DONE
DOZENS OF TIMES. BUT SOME
OF US ARE NOT VERY AFRAID
OF SAFETY CONCERNS. BUT
OF COURSE OFFICIALS HAVE
TO TAKE THAT VERY
SERIOUSLY, AND BESIDES
THE RESIDENCE YOU HAVE
TOURISTS AND FIRST TIME
VIEWERS WHO HAVE NO
RESPECT FOR THE DANGERS
INVOLVED."
Also - about 80 guard
members arrived yesterday
morning. They were
hauling - not only their
own gear - but equipment
-- to set up a mobile
field station for the
Police Department. Two
operations tents are now
set up at the Geothermal
Facility - south of the
flow. They'll be
assisting at check
points, patrolling in
town -- and several other
residential areas -
including Kalapana,
Lelani Estates, and
Hawaiian Beaches. All
the soldiers are based in
Hilo - some born and
raised in Puna - others
who where just here - for
Tropical Storm Iselle.
But looting not been a
problem - yet. But those
concerns -- part of the
reason the guard is here.
They're patroling in full
gear -- but are NOT
armed. Police want to
remind people - since the
area is now under an
emergency declaration -
crimes committed will
receive a much stiffer
penalty. In Pahoa on the
Big Island, Lara Yamada
are NOT armed. Police
want to remind people -
since the area is now
under an emergency
declaration - crimes
committed will receive a
much stiffer penalty. In
Pahoa on the
stiffer penalty. In Pahoa
on the Big Island, Lara
Yamada KITV4 News.
Officials reminding
residents -- DO NOT go
near the lava. It's for
YOUR safety. But not
everyone is following
that order. KITV-4 spoke
to one woman -- who says
.... she and her friends
dipped some 15 items
into the lava --
including GOLF CLUBS and
an EGG BEATER. County
officials say... doing so
subjects YOU to risk and
if you get hurt --
someone would have to
come to help you out .
:11 - RUTH CRAWFORD, PUNA
RESIDENT: "JUST BECAUSE
IT'S LAVA AND I'VE BEEN
HERE 23-YEARS AND I WAS
KIND OF EXCITED AND
SCARED AND JUST WANTED TO
DO IT." :33: "I KNOW
WE'RE NOT SUPPOSED TO BUT
OKAY I WON'T AGAIN."
One resident tried using
A WATER HOSE to protect
her property. The flow
front got RIGHT UP to A
BERM built by a
property owner ... trying
to save HIS place.
People in Pa--hoa are
also being asked NOT to
bring unauthorized
persons into restricted
areas.