HONOLULU – Lava concerns on Hawaii's Big Island are shifting from it reaching a sparsely populated subdivision to it crossing over a heavily used highway.
Hawaii County workers are busy preparing defunct roads to be used as alternate routes if lava from Kilauea volcano reaches Highway 130, which could happen within weeks. Meanwhile, the lava appears to be going around the Kaohe Homesteads subdivision.
County spokesman Kevin Dayton says it's possible the lava will skirt the subdivision, but residents there should remain prepared.
Dayton says workers are clearing and smoothing two unpaved gravel roads. Gov. Neil Abercrombie last week issued an emergency proclamation that allows the county to bypass permitting and land-use issues to re-open abandoned roads.
Thousands of people drive daily along Highway 130.
