Lava warning issued as flow approaches Big Island subdivision - Jack VanGorden 4th per.

The Mayor of Hawaii Island, Billy Kenoi, has officially declared a state of emergency. Lava flow is heading toward lower Puna and potentially reach the Ka'ohe within a week or so. Officials were notified by a USGS geologist working at the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory that the lava threat had been raised from a watch to a warning. To ensure the safety of its residents, the county is restricting access to certain areas. As of now, there has been no talk of evacuation. However, citizens have been told to review their evacuation plans. Farmers in Kao'ohe are preemptively moving their livestock to safety. There is a chance that major highways will be shut down, so authorities are creating alternative routes. Helicopter flights have show that the lava is moving very slowly in a east/northeast direction. Although this doesn't pose an immediate threat to the people yet, that could easily change. The public is being advised to no try to view the flow from any public areas and to attend the community meeting on Thursday.

This article makes me very nervous for the Hawaiian community. It was published by Hawaii News Now to inform residents of the very serious threat. I was not aware of these events before I had begun working on the assignment but I did know how threatening living near volcanoes in Hawaii could be. This article is important because it keeps people from all over the world up to date on the situation.

http://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/story/26451944/volcano-warning-issued-as-lava-approaches-big-island-subdivision-state-of-emergency-also-declared?hpt=us_bn10