Hawaii Tourism Oceania has told travellers that there’s no need to change travel plans in the wake of Mauna Loa Volcano’s eruption.
Mauna Loa volcano on Hawai‘i Island began erupting on Sunday, November 27, at approximately 11:30 pm, with the lava currently contained within the summit caldera at the top of the 4170-metre volcano.
The situation is being monitored and there is currently no lava flow down the slopes of Mauna Loa and no danger to residents or communities on Hawai‘i Island.
People who suffer from asthma, emphysema, COPD, or other types of breathing problems have been advised to take precautions to avoid the ash and vog (volcanic fog) that are characteristic of volcanic eruptions. This includes either staying indoors or monitoring how the wind is blowing so as not to be caught in an area where ash and vog are heavy and could impair the ability to breathe normally.
Hawaiian Airlines has said that its services have not been disrupted and advised guests to check their flight status online.
“Our transpacific and interisland flights, including service to and from Kona and Hilo, are operating as scheduled,” a Hawaiian Airlines spokesperson said.
“Our dispatchers are closely monitoring the eruption of Mauna Loa, and we are allowing guests to reschedule their travel without any change fees or fare difference.
“We have also added one extra flight today that will depart Hilo at 6:15 p.m. and arrive in Honolulu at 7:05 p.m. to ensure we can accommodate more travellers whose plans may have changed or been disrupted.”
While Hawai‘i Island is the youngest and most active of the Hawaiian Islands in terms of volcanic activity, eruptions are rare. The last time Mauna Loa erupted was 38 years ago in 1984. The island’s most recent eruption took place in 2018 when Kīlauea Volcano erupted, and lava flowed for several months.
Featured Image: Mauna Loa Erupting Twitter/@pfranci2
