image from video by Mick Kalber taken over the Fissure 8 lava channel on June 25, 2018.

(BIVN) – The community will once again meet at the Pahoa High School Cafeteria at 5 p.m. this evening, as the eruption in the lower East Rift Zone of Kilauea Volcano continues with no significant change during the past 24 hours.

Hawaiian Volcano Observatory reports that Fissure 8 continues to erupt with a full lava channel flowing to the ocean at Kapoho, civil defense stated in this morning’s message. “Gas emissions from the fissure eruption and at the ocean entry laze plumes continue to be very high. Currently, there is no immediate threat, but persons near the active flow should be prepared and heed warnings from Civil Defense,” emergency officials repeated.

On Monday, civil defense said a total of 657 homes have been destroyed by the eruption. The area that has been covered by lava is 6,164 acres.

To report your home or property damaged or destroyed, the county says “please call the Hawaii Real Property Tax Office at 961-8201. To report your home or property inaccessible due to lava isolation or mandatory evacuation, please call Civil Defense at 935-0031.”

Disaster aid is also available to renters, the county says.

Renters in Hawai‘i County whose homes and property were damaged by the Kilauea volcanic eruption and earthquakes may be eligible for federal disaster assistance.

FEMA provides individuals and households—homeowners and renters—financial help or direct services to those who have necessary expenses and serious needs if they are unable to meet these needs through other means.

The U.S. Small Business Administration offers low-interest disaster loans to help repair or replace disaster-damaged personal property, including furniture and automobiles. Loan rates are as low as 1.938 percent; terms can be as long as 30 years and renters may be eligible for up to $40,000, depending on their losses.

Both renters and homeowners may qualify for federal assistance for other disaster-related necessary expenses and serious needs, such as clothing, childcare, room furnishings and appliances, medical and dental costs, vehicles and moving and storage expenses. Eligibility for some grants is determined by completing and returning the SBA application. There is no requirement to take out a loan should it be approved.

The county says:

• You can register for disaster assistance with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (also referred to as FEMA) in-person by visiting the Disaster Recovery Center, by calling 1-800-621-3362 (FEMA), or online.
• The Disaster Recovery Center is open daily from 8am to 8pm, and is located at the Keaau High School Gym. If you need a ride, buses will resume running between the two shelters and the Disaster Recovery Center between 7:30 am and 9:00 pm.
• The Disaster Recovery Center is staffed with representatives from FEMA, the U.S. Small Business Administration, and State and County agencies.