Transcript
Officials in Hawaii say already the county has shelled out at least US$3 million for disaster response, but more is needed.
The state has now agreed to give US$12 million to help pay for the mounting costs from Kilauea's lava eruptions.
Governor David Ige announced on social media the assistance comes five weeks to the day after the first fissure opened in Leilani Estates.
"It certainly has escalated. The impact and devastation of the area and families that not only lost their homes, but many who still may have their homes but are isolated, but clearly it will be a while before we can get anywhere close to being back to normal."
Affected locals are counting the personal cost of losing absolutely everything.
The number of homelessness is rising too with some emergency evacuation centres now at capacity.
Hawaii County Mayor Harry Kim said it has been a difficult time, but he commends people's resilience and is thankful for financial assistance.
"I can never explain to them the gratitude I feel today that they made me feel that I can truly project to the people of loss that we will make it better."
Kilauea's hot river of molten lava has seen entire neighbourhoods evacuated and leaving behind an unrecognisable lava charred landscape in its place.
The unrelenting lava reportedly destroyed up more than 500 homes located in tourist resort areas like Kapoho Bay and Vacationland in just three days.
That lava is now channelling into the Pacific Ocean and changing the coastline, with intense volcanic gas plumes still visible.
USGS geologist at the Hawaii Volcano Observatory Janet Babb says fissure number eight remains highly active.
"It is producing fountains that are fluctuating in height, reaching at times heights of up to 230 feet. Fissure eight is also feeding a lava channel to the east towards Kapoho Bay area."
The volcano's recent summit explosion has geologists on alert, saying more explosions are likely and seismic activity is expected to intensify.
Hawaii Volcano National Park's public affairs officer Jessica Ferracane says the park has been closed now for about a month now.
She says that the seismic activity felt on the summit has been ongoing.
"There was the 5.6 magnitude quake near the summit of kilauea volcano. I was on a call when that happened and everyone who was on the call at the visitor operations centre in the national park staff definitely felt it and definitely commented on it, however no additional damage to park infrastructure was noticed."
Locals are being asked to take precautions as volcanic fog is still a major health hazard for downwind communities.
This is Sara Vui-Talitu.
