(ABOVE) Video by David Corrigan, story reported by Sherry Bracken

ABOUT

The State’s Chief Executive paid a visit to the Puna district Thursday. Governor David Ige’s schedule included a briefing with Hawaii County Civil Defense Chief Darryl Oliveira, a meeting in Kea’au with teachers from schools affected by the Puna lava flow, and a personal look at the lava flow.

We filmed Governor Ige walking through Pahoa Marketplace as he met with some of the merchants in advance of the lava reaching their stores. Ige spent some time with those who are evacuating and those who are not – like the family business of Jungle Love, planning to stay for as long as its safe.

Later that evening, Governor Ige attended a packed community meeting at Pahoa High School where he pledged state support to the Hawaii Island community