Department of Land and Natural Resources

DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES
News Release

DAVID Y. IGE GOVERNOR

SUZANNE D. CASE CHAIRPERSON

For Immediate News Release June 16, 2018

(Click on image to watch video)

PEOPLE CAUGHT IN CLOSED EAST RIFT ZONE AREAS NOW FACE HIGHER PENALTIES
Officers Issue Another Dozen Citations Over the Past Ten Days

(Hilo) – The urge to get up close and personal to lava during the current Kilauea eruption is not only unsafe but people who get caught now potentially face steep fines and jail time.

Earlier this month Governor David Ige issued a supplemental proclamation which provides fines of up to $5,000 and potentially a year in jail for people convicted of loitering in a closed area. In the proclamation Governor Ige stated, “I find there is a need to strengthen the enforcement tools available to county and state emergency management officials in controlling public access to dangerous areas and associated evacuation efforts as a result of the failure of the public to comply with instructions and orders issued by officials.”

Prior to the enactment of more severe penalties, officers from the DLNR Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement (DOCARE) had issued more than three dozen people citations. Some of the people cited over the past week and a half in various closed areas could face the new penalties if convicted. The ages of the suspects cited for loitering in a closed area were not immediately available.

June 9

Fransiska Bass-Hawaiian Paradise Park (cited at MacKenzie State Recreation Area)

Marshall Lund-Hawaiian Paradise Park (cited at MacKenzie State Recreation Area)

June 10

Gabrielle Jaitt-Pahoa (cited at Paakikii or Coconut Grove)

Oscar Jaitt-Pahoa (cited at Paakikii or Coconut Grove)

Douglas Amaya-California (cited at Lava Tree State Park)

Reina Villatoro de Garcia-California (cited at Lava Tree State Park)

June 11

Andrew Denton-Kea‘au (cited at Paakikii or Coconut Grove)

Daniel DeLong-California (cited at MacKenzie State Recreation Area)

Edric Money-California (cited at MacKenzie State Recreation Area)

June 14

Ravi Purpuri-California (cited at Lava Tree State Park)

Christina Sharpe-Kamuela (cited at Lava Tree State Park)

Zoe Zivalic-Kamuela (cited at Lava Tree State Park)

During patrols DOCARE officers often have to put on gas masks to protect themselves from the noxious volcanic gasses being created by lava. They also note that fast flowing lava can cut off escape routes putting both rescuers and loiterers at great risk.  With the latest round of citations officers have now cited nearly 40 people since the East Rift Zone eruption began in early May.

 

Media Contact:

Dan Dennison
Senior Communications Manager
Hawaii Dept. of Land and Natural Resources
1151 Punchbowl Street, Room 131
Honolulu, HI  96813

[email protected]
[email protected]

(808) 587-0396 (Communications Office)

(808) 587-0407 (Direct Line)
(808) 295-8749 (Cell)