Kilauea lava flow nears Pahoa, Hawaii

PAHOA, Hawaii, Oct. 28 (UPI) —

The Hawaii State Department of Education announced the closure of several schools Monday night as the Kilauea lava flow threatens the Hawaii town of Pahoa.

After 124 days and 13 miles, the lava flow from the Kilauea volcano is within just yards of homes on Hawaii’s Big Island.

The lava flow passed within 70 yards of the first home in its path on Monday evening, still moving at 5- to 10-yards per hour and just 500 yards from Pahoa Village Road on the outskirts of town. Residents in the down slope area of town were warned to be prepared to evacuate at any time.

Keonepoko Elementary School, which is in the path of the lava flow, will be closed indefinitely beginning Wednesday, said Mary Correa, complex superintendent for Kau, Kea’au and Pahoa.

Faculty and staff will begin preparing a new facility for students starting Wednesday, and will move furniture and equipment to the Keonepoko North facility at Keaau High School, a process expected to take through at least Friday.

And from Thursday, Pahoa High and Intermediate, Pahoa Elementary, Kea’au High and Kea’au Middle schools will also be closed to prepare to move out of the lava’s path.

Some students will return to school at new campuses on Friday, Nov. 7, while others will report on Monday, Nov. 10.

"Our teachers and principals have been tremendous in their efforts to maintain a sense of normalcy in our schools, all while preparing for this week," Correa said.

Volunteers went door-to-door Monday, warning residents in Pahoa Town amid smokey conditions. Most people whose homes lay near the front of the lava flow have already evacuated, and the Hawaii County Civil Defense has established an emergency shelter at Sure Foundation Church in Kea’au.

Civil Defense issued an evacuation notice on Saturday, but still hasn’t elevated it to an official evacuation order as most residents have heeded warnings.