On Thursday, July 26, the Red Cross — in partnership with Kona Commons Shopping Center, Roberts Hawaii and Jurassic Tours — coordinated a free family excursion for Big Island lava evacuees who are staying at shelters in Keaau and Pahoa.
About 90 evacuees, including keiki, were provided with transportation from the shelters to Kona Commons for a tour of the Jurassic Tour dinosaur exhibit as a brief respite from the constant stress and anxiety from the ongoing Kilauea eruption.
Lunch was provided to families courtesy of Kona Commons.
Since May 3, the Red Cross, along with Hawaii County partners, have distributed thousands of blankets, sheets, pillows, futons, towels, masks, toiletry kits and other items. The Red Cross is also working with the Salvation Army to provide meals.
Additionally, trained Red Cross nurses and mental health volunteers are staffing the shelters and have provided over 10,000 health and mental health services to those in need.
To date, more than 600 Red Cross volunteers have assisted evacuees with their emergency needs.