Since the volcano erupted in early May, the Puna community has been thrust into untold hardship. Hundreds are homeless, and many have lost everything they worked a lifetime to build.



Our Island has come together to provide basics and to lend support while the Puna community struggles to steady themselves.



In the course of evacuating themselves, helping neighbors, and retrieving belongings or lost pets, these people are being charged by the DLNR with criminal citations. Citations are being delivered to citizens with placards, on private property, and in areas not designated as mandatory evacuation zones. The penalties are steep and heavy-handed: a year in jail and a $5000 fine per governor Ige's supplemental proclamation issued in early June. The citations are criminal charges, which will affect people detrimentally for a long time as they try and rebuild their future. The DLNR officers are not allowing people to speak or provide basic information when they are cited. In fact, an individual was called a "liar" when she offered the truth of having permission to be on private property (cited with trespassing). If citizens are denied the basic right of providing information for criminal charges, there is a gross injustice occurring. People who have a valid reason to be in the area are being unfairly criminalized.



Hiring a lawyer to appear in court to fight citations with a plea of "not guilty" costs thousands of dollars. The mental strain and stress of facing jail time for housewives with children, fathers with families to support, pregnant women, people with disabilities, or homeowners trying to protect/maintain their property, combined with already significant loss and grief from the utter destruction caused by this disaster, is a disaster in itself.



If you find yourself being victimized by the DLNR, we will gladly add your name to the petition.



Mitch Roth the prosecuting attorney can dismiss these charges, and Governor Ige can request the prosecuting attorney dismisses the charges against these community members.

Please call and or write them today. Please mention the people listed when you reach out to officials to request dismissal of charges and request:



• That all charges be dropped immediately against the below-mentioned individuals.

• DLNR provide proper signage and consistent notice of closed areas.

• Better, prompt legislative and County Council oversight regarding DLNR actions

• Respectful interaction and appropriate sensitivity to lava victims from the DLNR.

• Decriminalization of citizens that are not intentionally breaking laws.



Melanie Thomas- cited for loitering in an area not designated as an evacuation zone and trespassing on private property although she had homeowners permission. She was there rescuing her dog.



Sean Burgoon- Cited for trespassing on private property although had homeworkers permission and loitering in an area not designated as an evacuation zone assisting with the rescue of a dog.



Shelley Yoda- a pregnant Leilani resident in Leilani with a placard checking her home was cited for loitering in an evacuation zone. She has since lost her home to the lava and is unable to make a move to Maui due to the court case.



Edric Money- cited while on personal business, not in the vicinity of any lava flows.

Ano Tarletz Hanamana- Was walking down Railroad Avenue at about 6:30 with some friends after working on their land on Noni Farm Rd all day. A DLNR officer came down and gave me a ticket for loitering in a disaster area. Ano drove in with a placard.

Governor Ige -Phone: (808) 586-0034 cindy.mcmillan@hawaii.gov (communication director to the governor)



Mitch Roth - (808) 961-0466 hilopros@co.hawaii.hi.us

Fresh Onishi -Phone: (808) 586-6120 (no email contact info listed)

Joy San Buenaventura - Phone: (808) 586-6530 repsanbuenaventura@Capitol.hawaii.gov

Russell Ruderman -Phone: (808) 586-6890 senruderman@capitol.hawaii.gov



We would also like to thank Puna Councilwoman Eileen O'Hara for listening to your constituency and offering timely guidance and support.