(ABOVE VIDEO) A series of clips from the Hawaii County Council Committee on Public Safety and Mass Transit meeting held on Tuesday (Sept. 30). Video by David Corrigan

NEWS BRIEF

• Hawaii County Councilmembers discussed the unique situation surrounding the Puna lava flow during their Committee on Public Safety and Mass Transit meeting on Tuesday (Sept. 30). The elected officials seem to agree that the situation is of island-wide concern, and that the nature of the emergency doesn’t fit the mold for the usual avenues to obtain federal disaster assistance.
• Puna councilmember Greggor Ilagan said a greater police and/or military presence is needed in his district, as people begin to abandon areas of surrounding the possible path of the lava.
• Puna State Senator Russell Ruderman suggested the council make specific requests of the state that he can bring to the legislature. Ruderman also believes there will be a need for a permanent air ambulance, and a harbor “above and beyond what we can out of Pohoiki”
• Councilwoman Brenda Ford said it might behoove the council to look into housing options in their districts to handle the expected displacement of Puna residents.

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