PAHOA, Hawaii (AP) — Two Hawaii residents have been arrested for trespassing to see lava amid growing interest from people eager to witness the slow-moving flow.
Hawaii County police saw a man and a woman on county property Thursday taking photos within 5 feet of the lava.
Police say they had two golf clubs that had been dipped in lava, which had hardened on the clubs.
The 65-year-old woman and 59-year-old man, who police say are from the area, were arrested.
Hawaii County Civil Defense Director Darryl Oliveira says the county is restricting the public's access to the lava flow to keep people safe.
Oliveira says the lava is currently in people's backyards. He says the county may be able to enable public viewing if and when it enters public land.