Hawaii News Now:
'She's not done': Despite forced evacuations, residents respect Pele's processSaturday, May 5th 2018, 4:15 am EDT
By Dillon Ancheta, Digital Content Producer
PUNA, HAWAII (HawaiiNewsNow) - With upwards of 200 Big Island residents staying overnight at public shelters, many were left wondering when — or if — they'd be let back into their homes in the Leilani Estates subdivision.
On Friday afternoon, Big Island Mayor Harry Kim said the possibility is likely pending safe conditions following the emergence of recent lava fissures that sent sulfur dioxide and hot lava flying feet into the air.
"We are going to allow it," Mayor Kim said. "We talked about what our policies will be. Yes there is a mandatory evacuation meaning people should know there is a high risk of destruction, but we have tried to set a policy that we're going to try help each and every one individual that we can, to allow them to (return), even stay if it's safe enough." ...