Lava lake provides spectacular show
Dramatic spattering has roiled the lava lake in the Overlook crater, inside Halemaumau Crater at the summit of Kilauea Volcano.
The spattering is normally at the lake margins, and the surface crust often flows toward, and is consumed at, the spattering source, the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory reported Wednesday.
Large bubbles bursting at the surface drive the spattering activity, as shown occasionally by large spherical bursts, the observatory said.
Meanwhile, the Puu Oo vent continued to feed the Kahaualea 2 lava flow, which appeared to be very weak, the scientists said.
Maui records first traffic death of 2014
A 47-year-old Kihei man became Maui’s first traffic death this year when he was crossing a street and was struck by a delivery truck Wednesday.
Maui police identified the victim as Kenneth Elf.
The accident occurred at 4:31 a.m. on Piikea Avenue near Liloa Drive in Kihei.
Elf was hit by a 2005 GMC delivery truck traveling east on Piikea Avenue, police said. He was not in a marked crosswalk.
After striking the pedestrian, the GMC truck, driven by a 56-year-old man from Kula, hit a chain-link fence on the north side of the roadway. The GMC truck then came to a stop in a vacant lot on the north side of Piikea Avenue.
There was one traffic fatality at the same time last year.
Police thwart car break-in
Kauai police captured a Kalaheo man wanted on a bench warrant Tuesday afternoon in Wailua, after the suspect tried to flee from officers.
About 2:30 p.m., police received a tip that a man was attempting to break into a vehicle parked at the foot of the Nonou Mountain Trail, also known as Sleeping Giant, off Haleilio Road in Wailua Houselots. Police located the suspect and learned that he was also wanted on a bench warrant.
When officers attempted to detain him, he ran and police gave chase. Additional officers from the Hanalei and Lihue district responded and found the man at Haleilio and Nonou roads about 4 p.m.
The man was arrested for the warrant and on suspicion of first-degree attempted unauthorized entry into a motor vehicle. He was being held at the police cellblock in lieu of $3,000 bail.
