Evacuations Ordered Around Hawaiian Volcano

Officials worry wind will push fumes into settled areas

By Sam Gale Rosen, Newser Staff

Posted Apr 9, 2008 2:27 PM CDT

(Newser) – Officials ordered the evacuation of Hawaii's Volcanoes National Park yesterday due to potentially poisonous fumes seeping from two craters. Voluntary evacuations of nearby towns were also announced, but few people have left, reports the Honolulu Advertiser. "We still remain on alert and we're going to monitor 24/7 to make sure people are safe," says the Big Island's mayor.

Most area residents say that they have seen worse conditions in the past and intend to stay put. "I'm very reluctant to evacuate, especially when it's still very livable, and I think part of that is because it's been on the news now. We would just be a target for break-ins," says one.

A helicopter flies near a cloud of sulfur dioxide gas and ash rising from the Halemaumau crater of Kilauea volcano in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on Wednesday, March 26, 2008. (AP Photo)

Visitors to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park stand atop an old cinder cone to watch an ash filled plume of sulfur dioxide gas and ash rising from the Halemaumau crater of Kilauea volcano. (AP Photo/David Jordan)

A cloud of sulfur dioxide gas and ash rises from the Halemaumau crater of Kilauea volcano in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on Wednesday, March 26, 2008. (AP Photo/David Jordan)

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Evacuations Ordered Around Hawaiian Volcano

Officials worry wind will push fumes into settled areas

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Hawaii Volcano Spews Lava

Crater floor collapses, followed by new fissure, eruptions

Hawaiian Volcano Acting Feisty

Halemaumau's eruption mild for now, but officials well aware of dangers

5.0 Quake Rattles Hawaii

Big Island hit by aftershocks

Hawaii's Endangered Seals Being Killed

At least three monk seals have been killed in two months

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Critics keep seeing dollar signs in pricey Hawaii vacation

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Evacuations Ordered Around Hawaiian Volcano

Officials worry wind will push fumes into settled areas

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Hawaii • volcanoes • Hawaiian Volcano Observatory

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Hawaii Volcano Spews Lava

Crater floor collapses, followed by new fissure, eruptions

Hawaiian Volcano Acting Feisty

Halemaumau's eruption mild for now, but officials well aware of dangers

5.0 Quake Rattles Hawaii

Big Island hit by aftershocks

Hawaii's Endangered Seals Being Killed

At least three monk seals have been killed in two months

Sundress Set Michelle Back $2K

Critics keep seeing dollar signs in pricey Hawaii vacation

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?