HILO — The south end of the Big Island will get a mobile medical van using federal Homeland Security grant funding.

The van is authorized by the sole surviving bill from Kau Rep. Bob Herkes' vog package, which he submitted this legislative session.

Several non-binding resolutions have passed as well. They call on the state adjutant general to identify vog-safe rooms for public use and develop a plan to establish additional safe havens in areas where the choking clouds of sulfur dioxide pose a health threat.

The rooms would be equipped with air conditioners and air purifiers paid for by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, according to the resolution.

Resolutions also call on Hawaii County and the U.S. Department of Agriculture to give financial support to farmers severely impacted by the gas.

"The medical van I've been trying to get for years," Herkes said. "During vog, it can deal with people who have asthma. Also, a roving clinic in an area of the island that is so under-served is very important."

The van will be based out of Kona Community Hospital and serve South Kona, Kau and upper Puna. The state Department of Health estimates the van will cost $350,000, plus $340,000 annually to operate.

The multi-purpose van could be loaded with vaccines and nurses during flu season, Herkes said.

Multiple other vog-related bills and resolutions failed to make the cut.

One bill that didn't make it out of the House would have required the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to develop guidelines for workers seeking compensation for vog-related illnesses. Another bill would have set up a program to reimburse farmers for the cost of replacing vog-damaged fences, irrigation pipe and other infrastructure.

The bills came in response to the report from a House Special Committee on Vog Effects that convened last year to study impacts to health and safety, agriculture, the economy and tourism.

The committee was formed following the opening of the Halemauma'u vent at Kilauea a year ago.

Blankets of vog from the vent have ruined crops, polluted catchment water, driven farmers out of business and even sent those with respiratory problems to the emergency room.

"People over here don't have a clue," Herkes said from the state Capitol as committees work feverishly to hammer out differences in House and Senate versions of legislation this week.

"You get these committee chairs from Oahu, and they don't understand," said Herkes, chairman of the Consumer Protection and Commerce Committee. "My own schedule is so busy I can't go in there and argue for them."

"I'll try again next year," he added.