Update on Red Cross Evacuation Shelters

The American Red Cross announces that three shelters remain open for residents evacuated from their homes due to the Kīlauea lava threat at the following locations:

• Pāhoa Community Center (15-3022 Kauhale Street, Pāhoa)
• Kea‘au Community Center (16-186 Pili Mua St, Kea‘au)
• Sure Foundation Church (16-1592 Pohaku Cir, Kea‘au)

As of Friday, May 18, 2018, at midnight, there were 113 residents inside the Pāhoa shelter with an additional 187 choosing to stay outside the shelter in tents and cars.

There were 20 residents inside the Kea‘au Community Center shelter and 12 outside. There was one resident inside the Sure Foundation Church shelter. The total number of people staying inside and outside of the shelters as of Saturday, May 19, 2018, was 333.

Since May 3, the Red Cross, along with Hawai‘i County partners, have distributed hundreds of blankets, sheets, pillows, futons, towels, masks, toiletry kits and other items; as well as over 7,000 snacks. The Red Cross is also working with the Salvation Army to provide meals. Additionally, trained Red Cross nurses and mental health volunteers are staffing the shelters and have provided over 2,000 health and mental health services to those in need. To date, a total of 128 Red Cross volunteers have assisted evacuees with their immediate emergency needs.

 Big Island Volunteers Needed

Volunteers from the Big Island are needed to staff shelters for residents who have been displaced by the Kīlauea lava threat. Training will be provided. For more information, go to www.redcross.org and complete an online volunteer application. For questions, call (808) 739-8122.