Even with the threat of lava moving in on their community, some residents still showed up to cast their votes Tuesday in Pahoa.
While Hawaii County Civil Defense did have contingency plans in place in case the lava crossed Highway 130, those plans weren’t needed, and voters were able to get out and fill out their ballots.
“It was important for me to get out here and vote, even with the natural disasters impacting the area,” said Leland Cockcroft. “I thought it was important to get the officials that we intended to get in office.”
“Even though we are living in fears and uncertainty, we still make this day very important to come out, because we need the people who will help us,” Lainda Bernardo said.
While contingency plans did not go into effect, voters assigned to cast their ballots at Pahoa Community Center polling place were still allowed to vote at the one at Hawaiian Paradise Park.
