New vantage point set up at lava flow

Federal park rangers have established a new viewing area for lava entering the ocean on the east side of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park after the collapse of the former overlook and a near tragedy.

The park Tuesday announced the opening of the new viewing area 900 feet east of the lava cascading into the ocean — the nearest viewing area to the lava flow.

The east or Kalapana side of the lava flow requires visitors to hike about 4.2 miles one way with the entrance open between 3 and 9 p.m.

Park rangers shut off a former viewing area that began collapsing at 2:45 p.m. Saturday, creating blasts from volcanic rock, damaging waves and thick plumes of debris and gas.

Several hours later the 26-acre viewing area was gone.

Park rangers said that during the period when the viewing area was collapsing, five visitors ignored the warning signs and walked into the closed-off area.

Two park rangers chased after them and made them turn around and return to the designated safe area.

Officials said the viewing area where the five people were standing collapsed 15 minutes later.

“Almost every night we have our rangers contending with hikers who are not listening to them,” said National Park Service spokeswoman Jessica Ferracane. “We hope this latest development will help them to heed the rangers.”

During the peak season from Christmas through a little after New Year’s, some 10,000 tourists a day visit Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park.

Ferracane said many people fail to realize the numerous dangers of being in a lava flow area, including the potential of walking on a thin collapsible shelf and the inhalation of toxic gases.

In 2000 a Hawaii island resident and a Washington, D.C., visitor died about 100 yards from a lava flow after inhaling steam that created too much fluid in their lungs.

The park also offers a view of the lava flow from the west side, where the hike is 5 miles and the entrance is open 24 hours a day.

Rangers advise hikers to wear closed-toe shoes or boots, gloves to protect the hands, and long pants, in addition to carrying water and a flashlight, along with wearing sunglasses, a hat and sunblock.

For hiking tips, visit the park website nps.gov/havo/planyourvisit/upload/Hiking-Tips.pdf. For Hawaii County lava viewing information, call 430-1966. For the latest eruption updates, visit the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory website: hvo.wr.usgs.gov/activity/kilaueastatus.php. Monitor air quality at hawaiiso2network.com.