Officials in Hawaii are warning that lava is flow are warning residents and citizens as lava flows from the world's largest active volcano. And it's now just a few miles from the Big Island's main highway.
The volcano erupted for the first time in decades. Just look at these beautiful awe-inspiring images. Also while a neighboring volcano continues to erupt as well as it has been for more than a year. That so-called dual eruption causing excitement, obviously look at this.
But also understand some concern. Joining me now is the governor of Hawaii, David Gay. Governor, thank you so much for coming in. You've issued an emergency order this week in response to the eruption.
What is that allowing you to do now? Yes, thanks Kate, for having me on. The emergency proclamation just allows us to be proactive. We would make available all of the emergency responders should it be necessary to activate the National Guard to help with control and keeping people away from the volcano, or should evacuations be necessary.
That would just allow us to act. Quickly and promptly, which is important when you're talking about a volcanic eruption. We're showing our viewers these beautiful images, stunning images from the flows.
I mean, a volcanic eruption like this is at the same time stunning and exciting, but also dangerous. What are your priorities right now? What are you most concerned about? Certainly, we continue to monitor the air quality around the eruption.
We have a series of air quality monitors around the island and our website that provides up-to-date information. You know, the concern is about dangerous gases from the fishers, and the most dangerous is sulfur dioxide.
We encourage visitors to continue to come. It's safe to visit the islands, but certainly observing the volcano should occur at a distance. It's not safe to get up close. Absolutely. So the US. Geological Survey says that the lava flow is now within about four and a half miles of the main highway that runs across the center of the Big Island.
What's happening with that? Certainly, we are monitoring the flow multiple times a day to keep track of it. It's still a ways away from Daniel K noi highway, but that is the main highway, so we are watching that carefully.
We are concerned because visitors and residents are stopping along the highway and sometimes drivers are not paying attention fully. And so we are concerned about traffic control on the highway, but it's still a ways away and we'll continue to monitor and watch it.
Finally, you touched on this. But I think probably on top of a lot of minds is there are a lot of people who have holiday plans, lucky enough to have holiday plans to come to visit Hawaii. What should people do?
Should they still come? Certainly, we would encourage everyone who has plans to visit the islands to continue. It is completely safe. The eruption site is high up the mountain and it's in a relatively isolated location.
It is safe to view the volcano. And as you said, it is spectacular from afar. And so certainly we encourage those who have plans to continue to come. We certainly would like to have them visit here. Absolutely.
It's good to see you, Governor. Thank you for coming in.