Volcano Eruptions Continue in Hawaii as Residents Flee
by Daniel McCarthy /
Lava and gas continue to erupt from Hawaii’s Kilauea Volcano near the Leilani Estates on the state’s Big Island, forcing residents to evacuate their homes.
The eruptions, triggered by a series of earthquakes, started last week. According to the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, the most impactful earthquake was measured at 6/9 on Friday, the largest in the area since 1975.
A fissure that opened in the volcano’s eastern rift, near the eastern tip of the island, caused steam and lava to pour out into view. A new fissure opened Sunday night about 12 miles from the volcano, forcing even more residents to leave their homes.
According to Reuters, more than 1,700 people have already fled and 26 homes have been destroyed on the Big Island, though no fatalities or major injuries have been reported.
Geologists and officials are expecting more lava to flow from the new fissures in the volcano. “We’re pretty certain that we’re not done yet,” Hawaii County Civil Defense Administrator Talmadge Magno told news outlets on Saturday.
Travel change waivers
Though most flights through the impacted cities are operating on time, a number of airlines are now offering change fee waivers for those wanting to move their flights because of the eruptions.
Hawaiian Airlines is giving all passengers holding tickets for flights to and from Hilo (ITO) and Kona (KOA) airports between May 3 and May 13, a one-time fee waiver on tickets. Tickets are only eligible if they were issued on or before May 4. Changes must be made no later than May 20.
American Airlines, which has a codeshare agreement with Hawaiian Airlines, is also offering a change fee waiver for flights to and from Hilo and Kona. All tickets must have been purchased by May 5 with travel scheduled until May 13.
United Airlines is offering a fee waiver, also for Hilo and Kona airports. Those with United tickets from those airports between May 4 and May 13 must rebook for new flights departing on or before May 16.
The Hawaii National Park Service closed the Hawai’i Volcanos National Park in light of the eruptions last week, but it had reopened the park on Sunday at 3 p.m. for limited services.
Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park partially reopened Sunday, 5/6/18 at 3 p.m. following a sequence of large, violent earthquakes that prompted a 2-day closure and evacuation of park visitors and staff last Friday. Limited services. Mahalo for your patience! NPS Photo/Janice Wei pic.twitter.com/yJMEwk7DDg
— Hawaii Volcanoes NPS (@Volcanoes_NPS) May 7, 2018