Report Title:

Volcano Access; Task Force

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.R. NO.

84

TWENTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2001

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 
   


HOUSE RESOLUTION

 

REQUESTING the Hawaii Tourism Authority to convene a task force to study safe access to view and learn about hawaii volcanoes.

 

 

WHEREAS, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is the Big Island's number one visitor attraction and the nonexplosive nature of Hawaiian volcanoes attracts numerous visitors and residents who want to view eruptions, live lava flows, and the entry of lava into the ocean; and

WHEREAS, the Pu'u 'O'O-Kupaianaha eruption on the east rift zone of Kilauea Volcano has been ongoing for more than eighteen years, and has claimed nearly two hundred homes, a National Park Service Visitor Center at Waha'ula, a church, a store, and the Waha'ula Heiau and other ancient Hawaiian sites; and

WHEREAS, this eruption's early activity at the Pu'u 'O'o vent sent lava fountains up to fifteen hundred feet into the air, stopping traffic at vantage points across east Hawaii; and

WHEREAS, subsequent Kupaianaha vent eruptions were continuous and quiet, with much of the lava from Kupaianaha streaming directly into the sea; and

WHEREAS, although the National Park Service provides the latest information on trails, road conditions, and safety conditions at Kilauea Visitor Center and recommends viewing volcanic activity only from the end of Chain of Craters Road, volcano visitors often attempt a closer view of a lava flow or lava field; and

WHEREAS, lava viewing presents health and safety dangers that include hazardous volcanic fumes, steam and methane gas explosions, coastline collapse, burns from scalding waves; and

WHEREAS, although lava's dramatic entry into the sea to create new land is a fascinating site, casual visitors may not be aware of all the potential risks or may underestimate the danger; and

WHEREAS, in 1993, one person died and twelve others required medical attention when the coastline they were standing on collapsed; in 1994, two people were severely scalded, requiring hospitalization, when they were hit by a sudden wave where the lava entered the ocean; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-first Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2001, that the Hawaii Tourism Authority is requested to convene a task force to study means to provide safe access to view volcano eruptions and establishing a visitor observatory to offer safety and educational information to volcano visitors; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force is requested to include representatives, chosen by and from each of the following: the Hawaii Tourism Authority, the Department of Transportation, Department of Land and Natural Resources, the University of Hawaii at Hilo, the County of Hawaii, and the National Park Service; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force is requested to submit its findings and recommendations to the Legislature not later than twenty days before the convening of the Regular Session of 2002; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Chairperson of the Board of the Hawaii Tourism Authority, the Director of Transportation, the Chairperson of the Board of Land and Natural Resources, the Chancellor of the University of Hawaii at Hilo, the Mayor of the County of Hawaii, and the Director of the National Park Service.

 

 

 

OFFERED BY:

_____________________________