The Hawaii Emergency Management Agency has deployed a four-person team to support the Hawaii County Civil Defense Agency's efforts in responding to the ongoing Mauna Loa eruption.

HI-EMA is also continuing its work of analyzing potential consequences to the Big Island economy, infrastructure, transportation network and other potential impacts should lava eventually overrun Daniel K. Inouye Highway or damage other significant systems.

“While the lava is moving very slowly at the moment and doesn’t pose an imminent hazard to populated areas, it’s still a hazard with huge destructive potential,” said HI-EMA administrator Luke Meyers. “We wouldn’t be doing our jobs if we didn’t work to define the possible impacts and recommend ways to reduce or eliminate them.”

Meyers and HI-EMA staff met with Hawaii County officials and HCCDA representatives in Hilo on Thursday. He also took part in a 2.5-hour overflight of the eruption area with the Civil Air Patrol.

“This was a good opportunity to see the hazards and threats from the Mauna Loa eruption,” Meyers said. “It really gave me a better perspective of the situation and where the lava flow is going.”

The Emergency Management Assistance Team deployed to Hilo will help HCCDA with operations, planning, and logistical challenges during the emergency. The team also will help match emerging county needs with available resources and data.

HI-EMA is coordinating with subject matter experts to assemble a framework for addressing the immediate and long-term consequences of lava reaching the highway.

“Cutting the highway or other critical infrastructure could affect economic activity, increase commute times, complicate delivery of goods and services, or a whole host of other potential consequences,” Meyers said. “As part of HI-EMA’s support role, we’re developing a blueprint that can be used to anticipate and mitigate those consequences, and maybe even prevent some of them.”

Michael Tsai covers local and state politics for Spectrum News Hawaii.