County Offers Surveys for Input on Kīlauea Recovery

Lava fountains erupting from fissure 22 (center) with heavy degassing (upper right) during Kīlauea’s lower East Rift Zone eruption in 2018. A narrow channelized lava flow from the fissure drains into a large, pre-existing ground crack. Weak spattering from the fissure 20 vent is visible just beyond to two sources of fissure 22 fountaining. Kapoho Cone, formed during an older rift zone eruption is visible on the horizon, downrift of the active fissures (upper left). USGS photo taken on May 20, 2018 by L. DeSmither.

The County of Hawaiʻi has launched a new phase of Talk Action, Take Action as part of its gather-information-share-information initiative for 2018 Kīlauea eruption recovery, according to a press release.

The initiative includes three surveys to collect community input, which will shape both near- and long-term recovery efforts on Hawaiʻi Island, with a particular focus on the Puna District.

Those who wish to participate are asked to take any or all of the surveys. The County also invites residents to drop in at the day-long Kīlauea Eruption SpeakOut event on Saturday, July 27, 2019, at Keaʻau High School from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. This event will be interactive and offer practical know-how. Refreshments will be available.

The surveys are available on the Kīlauea Recovery website at https://recovery.hawaiicounty.gov/connect/impact-status-survey-suite/.

Hard copies can also be picked up at Council member offices, the Department of Research and Development, the Planning Department, at the July 27th SpeakOut and at other community events.

The surveys focus on different areas of recovery—households, businesses and community. They are part of the second phase of recovery under the Talk Action, Take Action initiative.

“We hope anyone affected by the Kīlauea eruption will fill out these surveys,” said Diane Ley, director of Research and Development for the county. “By better understanding the specific needs of the community, individuals and businesses at this time, the recovery framework and resulting initiatives will better address the improved well-being of all still recovering.”

The Household Impact and Opportunity Assessment will help clarify what unmet needs families are experiencing. It will guide family outreach and long-term community planning.

The Community Impact and Opportunity Assessment will provide direction for decisions about long-term recovery, including hazard mitigation, land use, natural and cultural resource management, infrastructure investments, housing and economic development. The Puna CDP (Community Development Plan) Action Committee will use the survey to make informed recommendations on priority objectives at its Aug. 6, 2019 meeting.

The Business Impact and Opportunity Assessment follows up on last year’s business survey sent in the early days of the eruption. The results will identify ongoing economic impacts as well as challenges and opportunities for business recovery.

Unless one chooses to be contacted individually, the information from the surveys will be anonymous and aggregated to determine current priorities of the public regarding recovery.

The surveys cover a range of topics, from questions about development in areas with adequate access, to asking individuals and families if they are still in need of replacement housing.

The deadline for the three surveys is Aug. 4, 2019.