Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 35, Number 7, 1 July 2018 — More air monitoring for Hawai'i lsland [ARTICLE]

More air monitoring for Hawai'i lsland

The state is installing 10 permanent air quality monitoring stations around Hawai'i Island to enhanee data eolleehon related to vog conditions around the island. There are currently five permanent stations at Hilo, Mountain View, Pāhala, Oeean View and Kona. The

new sites haven't been determined but the Department of Health (DOH) has identified areas that need monitoring, including South Kohala, North Kona and South Kona on the west side of the island. DOH is inviting Hawai'i Island residents to suggest additional locations for monitoring stations that will enhanee response efforts to the ongoing eruption at Kīlauea. The state plans to install 25 stations total, whieh will provide real-time data from different parts of the island that emergency responders ean use to advise residents and visitors about how they ean protect their health and safety. "The input we have received from residents during community meetings has been invaluable," said Dr. Bruce Anderson, health director. "We want to encourage ongoing dialogue so we ean better address their concerns and ensure an effective response." New locations will have to be selected based on U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulatory requirements. The eommunity ean email their suggestions to the DOH's Clean Air Branch at cab@doh.hawaii.gov