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<br /> <br /> <br /> <br />Harry Kim <br />Talmadge J. Magno <br /> <br /> Mayor <br />Civil Defense Administrator <br /> <br />Wil Okabe <br /> <br />Managing Director <br /> <br />Barbara Kossow <br />Deputy Managing Director <br /> CIVIL DEFENSE AGENCY <br />920 Ululani Street  Hilo, Hawai'i 96720-3958 <br />(808) 935-0031  Fax (808) 935-6460 <br /> <br />September 7, 2018 <br /> <br /> <br />Hawai`i County Mayor Lifts Mandatory Evacuation in Leilani Estates <br /> <br />Mayor Harry Kim is lifting the mandatory evacuation order for Leilani Estates, effective <br />Saturday, September 8 at 9:00 a.m. The area east of Pomaika’i Street had been closed since <br />May 31, 2018 due to lava flows and volcanic gas from the Kilauea Lower East Rift Zone <br />eruption. <br /> <br />Access to Leilani Estates will remain restricted to residents and authorized personnel only. The <br />entire flow field, including a 50-yard perimeter, remains off limits. Residents with property within <br />the 50-yard flow field perimeter must notify Civil Defense for a waiver. <br /> <br />Residents returning to portions of the impacted area in Leilani Estates may experience delays of <br />first responder services due to limited access points and road conditions. <br /> <br />“Leilani Estates was evacuated to preserve health and safety, and to protect residents until the <br />hazards were reduced from the eruption” said Mayor Harry Kim. “We are happy residents can <br />return to their homes but caution everyone to stay vigilant and be prepared as conditions can <br />change rapidly.” <br /> <br />Residents moving back into their homes should take the following safety precautions. <br /> Maintain awareness – Have a rapid retreat plan and monitor messages from Hawai‘i <br />County Civil Defense and HVO. The eruption could resume at any time. <br /> Consider eye and breathing protection against volcanic particulates, which irritate the <br />eyes, respiratory system and skin. Be aware that sweeping, shoveling, or wiping the <br />material can produce glassy dust. <br /> Volcanic gases are still present around and downwind of fissures, particularly Fissure 8, <br />and some cracks. Such emissions might take weeks or months to cease once eruptive <br />activity ends. <br /> Be aware of large ground cracks which remain on roads and across land parcels, and be <br />mindful while walking or driving in the area. <br /> Dead vegetation – Trees and other vegetation killed during the eruption may fall <br />suddenly. <br /> <br />The Leilani Estates Community Center will be open on Saturday at 9:00 a.m. Personnel from <br />Civil Defense and the Leilani Community Association will provide information to residents <br />returning to their homes. For further information, please contact Kelly Wooten at Civil Defense <br />at kelly.wooten@hawaiicounty.gov or call 935-0031. <br />Hawai’i County is an equal opportunity provider and employer <br />