Trapped rural Hawaiians rescued as lava flow quickens

Air quality has diminished in Hawaiian neighborhoods, and molten lava from the Kilauea volcano sped up Saturday on an unpredictable path with no clear signs of stopping.

So far, 22 lava vents have opened over the two weeks since magma from the volcano shot into neighborhoods in the southern area of the Big Island.

Lava in one vent near the Leilani Estates subdivision was advancing at 300 to 400 yards per hour early Saturday, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The vent has diminished air quality in parts of the Puna district in the southeast corner of the island because of plumes of poisonous gases emitted from the lava and burning vegetation.

A new explosion was reported late Friday that sent ash rocketing 10,000 feet in the air. The volcano is far enough from homes and businesses that ash has had little effect on life on Hawaii’s Big Island.

The unpredictable path of lava led to one stream crossing a street and threatening a new area east of Leilani Estates and Lanipuna Gardens, where 40 structures, including 26 homes, have been destroyed over the past two weeks.

The lava closed in on 40 homes in the rural area and trapped at least four people who were evacuated by county and National Guard helicopters, according to the Associated Press.

Kilauea, one of the world’s most active volcanoes, has been erupting on and off for hundreds of thousands of years and has been erupting continuously since 1983, with only occasional pauses of quiet activity. The latest episode began May 3.