Arrhythmias and the Heart: A Cardiovascular Update

MAUNALOA VOLCANO ERUPTION UPDATE

NOVEMBER 28, 2022 @ 8:45 A.M. - REVISED

Aloha!

Mauna Loa volcano on Hawai‘i Island began erupting on Sunday, November 27, at approximately 11:30 p.m., with the lava currently contained within the summit caldera at the top of the 13,681-foot volcano. The situation is being closely monitored around the clock by scientists from the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory and Hawai‘i Emergency Management Agency, which are providing regular updates.

As of 6:30 a.m. on November, 28, Hawaiian Volcano Observatory confirms that lava has exited Maunaloa summit and can be seen on the northeast flank. The northeast flank is not populated and does not pose a threat to any communities at this time.

HTA will continue to provide updates on the situation on its website. We encourage you to bookmark this page and share it with those seeking the latest official tourism related information regarding the eruption occurring on the island of Hawai‘i.

https://www.hawaiitourismauthority.org/news/alerts/maunaloa-volcano-eruption-update/

Additional tourism updates are also available on the Hawai‘i Visitors and Convention Bureau's website at https://www.gohawaii.com/special-alerts-updates.

Mahalo,

Hawai‘i Tourism Authority

Q&A

Q: Should travel plans to the Hawaiian Islands be postponed or cancelled?

A: There is no need to change travel plans to any of the Hawaiian Islands at this time. Maunal Loa is located on Hawai‘i Island, the southernmost island of the main island chain. Travel to the other islands – Kaua‘i, O‘ahu, Maui, Moloka‘i and Lāna‘i – is unaffected by the eruption.

Q: Should travel plans to Hawai‘i Island be re-routed to the other islands?

A:  There is no need to change travel plans to Hawaiʻi Island at this time. While the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory confirms that lava has exited Maunaloa summit and can be seen on the northeast flank, this is not a populated area and does not pose a threat to any communities at this time.

While the eruption has caused Maunaloa’s Aviation Color Code to be elevated to red – which means a hazardous eruption is imminent, underway or suspected – Hawai‘i Island’s two major airports in Hilo and Kona are currently open and the eruption is not expected to affect their ability to handle the regularly scheduled flights that arrive and depart each day. It’s a good idea to check with your airline for the status of your flight.

Q: Is this eruption a danger to people on Hawai‘i Island?

A:  As of 6:30 a.m. on November 28, Hawaiian Volcano Observatory confirms that lava has exited Maunaloa summit and can be seen on the northeast flank. The northeast flank is not populated and does not pose a threat to any communities at this time.

Residents and visitors staying in communities downslope of Maunaloa should have emergency preparedness plans ready in the event an evacuation becomes necessary.

Visitors staying in short-term vacation rentals should contact their hosts for more information. The major resort areas of Kailua-Kona, the Kohala Coast, and Hilo are not immediately downslope of the eruption.

Q: Is there a danger to people with breathing problems from the ash emitted by the eruption?

A:  People who suffer from asthma, emphysema, COPD, or other types of breathing problems should take precautions to avoid the ash and vog that are characteristic of volcanic eruptions. This would include either staying indoors or monitoring how the wind is blowing so as not to be caught in an area where ash and vog are heavy and could impair the ability to breathe normally.

Q:  Is this eruption of Mauna Loa unusual?

A: While Hawai‘i Island is the youngest and most active of the Hawaiian Islands in terms of volcanic activity, eruptions are rare. The last time Maunaloa erupted was 38 years ago in 1984. The island’s most recent eruption took place in 2018 when Kīlauea Volcano erupted and lava flowed for several months.

Q: Where can people find the latest information and updates on the eruption?

A:  Official channels are the best sources for the latest updates about the Maunaloa eruption, including the following:

• Hawaiian Volcano Observatory: https://www.usgs.gov/observatories/hvo
• Hawai‘i Emergency Management Agency: https://dod.hawaii.gov/hiema/
• Hawai‘i County Civil Defense: https://www.hawaiicounty.gov/departments/civil-defense