The Big Island Is Bracing For Mauna Loa’s Lava Possibly Closing Saddle Road 0 With lava slowly approaching the only direct east-west road connecting Hilo and Kona, residents and businesses are planning for longer commutes, higher fuel bills and other impacts.
Hawaii island residents and officials are preparing for the potential cutoff of the main traffic artery should Mauna Loa spew lava across Saddle Road as expected in the next week.
Officially dubbed Daniel K. Inouye Highway, Saddle Road connects the windward and leeward sides of the island. Originally built by the Army during World War II to access military land at the saddle of Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea volcanos, Saddle Road is the shortest and most direct route between the island’s major population centers on opposite coasts.
Since Mauna Loa began erupting a week ago, volcano watchers have closely monitored the lava’s trajectory as it oozes downslope toward the critical state roadway. As of Saturday afternoon, less than three miles separated the road and lava, which is moving at about 150 feet an hour, according to Hawaii County Civil Defense.
