2 Hawaii residents arrested for trespassing to see lava

This Oct. 30, 2014 photo provided by the U.S. Geological Survey shows lava flow burning vegetation near the town of Pahoa on the Big Island of Hawaii. The Hawaii National Guard is deploying troops to a rural Hawaii town as lava makes a slow crawl toward a major road and threatens to further isolate the community that got its start during the lumber and sugar-plantation heyday. (AP Photo/U.S. Geological Survey)

A house sits among recent lava flow in Kalapana, Hawaii on Thursday, Oct. 30, 2014. Ten miles from Pahoa, the small Hawaii town held hostage by a slowly oozing stream of lava from Kilauea volcano, people are rebuilding on land that was almost entirely swallowed by molten rock nearly 30 years ago. (AP Photo/Audrey McAvoy)

Houses sit among recent lava flow in Kalapana, Hawaii on Thursday, Oct. 30, 2014. Ten miles from Pahoa, the small Hawaii town held hostage by a slowly oozing stream of lava from Kilauea volcano, people are rebuilding on land that was almost entirely swallowed by molten rock nearly 30 years ago. (AP Photo/Audrey McAvoy)

This Oct. 30, 2014 photo from the U.S. Geological Survey shows a breakout of lava oozing from the margin of the lava flow near the town of Pahoa on the Big Island of Hawaii. These breakouts are located about 100 meters (110 yards) behind the leading edge of the flow. Lava from a vent at Kilauea volcano has been sliding northeast toward the ocean since June. The lava flow has slowed but largely has remained on course. Pahoa residents say the lava will reshape the community yard by yard as it creeps toward the ocean. (AP Photo/U.S. Geological Survey)

This Oct. 30, 2014 photo from the U.S. Geological Survey shows where lava flow has come into contact and inflated against an artificial berm, to a level much higher than that of the berm, on private property near the town of Pahoa on the Big Island of Hawaii. Note that the flow has inflated to a level much higher than that of the berm. Lava from a vent at Kilauea volcano has been sliding northeast toward the ocean since June. The lava has slowed but largely has remained on course. Pahoa residents say the lava will reshape the community yard by yard as it creeps toward the ocean. (AP Photo/U.S. Geological Survey)

This Oct. 30, 2014 photo from the U.S. Geological Survey shows lava near the leading edge of the flow oozing over a concrete slab and towards a tangerine tree before solidifying near the town of Pahoa on the Big Island of Hawaii. Lava from a vent at Kilauea volcano has been sliding northeast toward the ocean since June. The flow has slowed but largely has remained on course. Pahoa residents say the lava will reshape the community yard by yard as it creeps toward the ocean. (AP Photo/U.S. Geological Survey)

In this Oct. 28, 2014 photo provided by Pete Stachowicz of Paradise Helicopters, lava flow has partially buried a cemetery, top center, near the town of Pahoa on the Big Island of Hawaii. The National Guard is deploying troops to the rural Hawaii town as lava makes a slow crawl toward a major road. Hawaii County Civil Defense Director Darryl Oliveira said Thursday, Oct. 30, 2014, the National Guard is deploying 83 troops to Pahoa to help provide security. The troops will help with a roadblock and with other safety issues. (AP Photo/Paradise Helicopters, Pete Stachowicz)

This Oct. 28, 2014 photo provided by Pete Stachowicz of Paradise Helicopters shows a lava flow near the town of Pahoa on the Big Island of Hawaii. The National Guard is deploying troops to the rural Hawaii town as lava makes a slow crawl toward a major road. Hawaii County Civil Defense Director Darryl Oliveira said Thursday, Oct. 30, 2014, the National Guard is deploying 83 troops to Pahoa to help provide security. The troops will help with a roadblock and with other safety issues. (AP Photo/Paradise Helicopters, Pete Stachowicz)

The lava flow from the Kalauea Volcano is seen split into two separate lobes in this aerial picture taken near the village of Pahoa, Hawaii, Friday, Oct. 24, 2014. (Reuters/U.S. Geological Survey handout)

The lava flow from the Kilauea Volcano is seen crossing Apa'a Street/Cemetery Road near the village of Pahoa, Hawaii, Saturday, Oct. 25, 2014. (Reuters/U.S. Geological Survey handout)

The lava flow from the Kilauea Volcano is seen in a U.S. Geological Survey image taken near the village of Pahoa, Hawaii, Sunday, Oct. 26, 2014. (Reuters/U.S. Geological Survey handout)

A Hawaii Volcano Observatory geologist maps the margin of the lava flow from the Kilauea Volcano in a U.S. Geological Survey image taken near the village of Pahoa, Hawaii, Sunday, Oct. 26, 2014. (Reuters/U.S. Geological Survey handout)

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By AUDREY McAVOY and JENNIFER SINCO KELLEHER ASSOCIATED PRESS

October 31, 2014 - 4:34 pm

PAHOA, Hawaii — Two Hawaii residents have been arrested for trespassing to see lava, police said Friday amid growing interest from people eager to witness the slow-moving flow.

Hawaii County police said officers saw a man and a woman on county property Thursday taking photos within 5 feet of the lava in the small town of Pahoa.

The 65-year-old woman and 59-year-old man had two golf clubs that had been dipped in lava, which had hardened on the clubs, police said. They crossed private property to get to the spot where they watched the lava.

Hawaii County Civil Defense Director Darryl Oliveira said the county is restricting the public’s access to the lava flow to keep people safe.

“It’s unfortunate. We would hope we wouldn’t have to take steps to enforce the rules,” Oliveira told reporters.

He said the lava is currently in people’s backyards. The county may be able to enable public viewing if and when it enters public land, he said.

But authorities need to be able to manage the situation. In 1990, when lava poured into Kalapana on the Big Island’s southern coast, parked cars lined the roads and people crowded in to watch.

Tourists and Big Island residents have been streaming into Pahoa for a glimpse of the lava since the flow edged closer to the town’s main road. The influx of people has been giving restaurants extra business.

Glen Bousquet, a tree trimmer from the nearby community of Nanawale, said he hiked to the flow multiple times since the weekend and trespassed to do so. He followed the glow through 6-foot-tall grass, he said.

“‘It’s so interesting to see nature unfolding. It’s like a once in a lifetime chance to actually see it up close and personal without having to wait for it to be on TV,” he said. “You kind of get the real deal.”

Though he trespassed, he said he did so with “the utmost respect” and didn’t break any fences or otherwise harm anyone’s property.

But he said won’t go back because he doesn’t want to get arrested.

Josiah Hunt, of the coastal town of Kapoho, said he hiked to see the lava before it crossed Apaa Street, a country road on the edge of Pahoa last week. He wanted a look because the molten rock was affecting life in the town and the larger surrounding community of about 10,000 people.

“Somehow it helped me to come to grips . and feel a sense of closure, to some degree,” he said. “It helps put an image to it in your mind’s eye.”

He doesn’t think now is a good time to gather to see the lava because it’s threatening homes.