Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 32, Number 1, 1 January 2015 — OHA lava evacuation aid available to Native Hawaiians in Puna [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

OHA lava evacuation aid available to Native Hawaiians in Puna

By Lukela Ruddle n the wake of Hurricane Iselle residents of Puna are now faced with the possibility of evacuating their homes in the path of a lava llow. Since June 27, 2014, the lava has traveled about 13 miles across forestedland and has begun to encroach on the town of Pāhoa. Due to the unpredictability of the direction and speed of the flow it is difficult to forecast, with any certainty, whieh areas of Puna will be affected. Recognizing the difficulties of Puna beneficiaries in this predicament, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs Board of Trustees allocated $300,000 for a Lava Aid Evacuation Program to assist Native Hawaiians facing evacuation. Native Hawai-

ian households in the affected areas are eligible for $500 of relief aid. OHA's Lava Aid program will be able to assist up to 600 Hawaiian households. To receive aid, you must be Native Hawaiian or a parent or legal guardian of Native Hawaiian children under the age of 18, your primary residence must be in Puna, and Hawai'i County officials must have required you to evacuate your resi-

dence due to the lava flow. As of this writing, the County of Hawai'i has designated eight mandatory evacuation zones clustered around the town of Pāhoa. However, OHA is encouraging those who may face evacuation not to wait but to get pre-registered to quicken the process of receiving aid, should evacuation be required. Eligible Puna residents ean pre-register at either of two OHA Hawai'i Island offices. For more details, please visit www.oha.org/lavaaid or eall our West Hawai'i office at 327-9525 or our East Hawai'i office at 920-6418 to schedule an appointment. ■ Lukela Ruddle is the community outreach coordinator in OHA's East Hawai'i Office.

East Hawai'i Office 162-A Baker Ave. Hilo, Hl 96720 West Hawai'i Office - New location 75-1000 Henry St. Suite 205 Kailua-Kona, Hl 96740

KAIĀULU C0MMUNITY

Marilyn Marfinez, fhe first recipient of 0HA's Lava Aid Evacuation Program, holds a eheek for $500. - Photo: Lukela Puddle