First eruptions began on May 3, 2018, starting from a fissure located in Leilani Estates. The outbreak of lava from this fissure lasted for about two hours and stopped around 6:30 p.m. This first outbreak has been followed by several more fissures cracking open. As of May 11, 2018, 15 fissures have opened and are active. However, thanks to the quick reaction of the Hawaiian state, all parks have been closed and no injuries have been found.

The reason why these eruptions are so dangerous is that it explodes not only with lava but also with toxic gas released. The gas continues to emit into the air from the fissures even after the lava has ceased. Around these fissures that are opening up, there are lots of sulfur dioxide, a dangerous toxic gas. Due to the gas and lava that are spreading, people have evacuated, leaving their homes. As of May 9^th, lava-covered 116.5 acres of land and destroyed about 36 structures, but there were no injuries.

A major concern is PGV, Puna Geothermal Venture’s safety. This geothermal power plant has 60,000 gallons of flammable solvent. If a fissure opens up near this plant, there can be an eruption. Or, if the flammable gas from the plant gets into the air and flows around, there can be an eruption. Residents around this plant argue that it should never have been built. One of these residents, Robert Petricci, president of the Puna Pono Alliance Watchdog group said that “this is one of the most unstable pieces of land on the entire planet, and they knew that, but they built it anyway to make money.”. To add, County of Hawaii Council member Jennifer Ruggles pointed out that the magma, moving unpredictably, can destroy the wells of PGV.

In 1991, PGV has released 180 pounds of toxic gas such as hydrogen sulfide, lead, chromium, and mercury. Also, in spring 2013, a lot of contaminants were released into the air, and they were charged a fine of $76,500 by the Environmental Protection Agency. Residents near the area are worried that the accidents from the past might be repeated and cause danger. There are also research that the producing energy with geothermal plants aggravates volcanic actions and eruptions around the area.

Due to these dangerous series of disasters, the Hawaiian Governor, David Ige has asked Donald Trump to declare a Major Disaster Declaration through a letter dated May 9^th. Ige predicts that they will need $ 2.9M to protect private homes until June. The date I asked Trump for the Declaration, Hawaiian Volcano Observatory warned that further explosions could take place.

▲ David Ige, Hawaiian Governor