Hawaii Volcanoes National Park officials again are pleading with visitors to heed safety warnings.
Lava and volcanic activity are powerful attractions, and people want to have a once-in-lifetime experience, said park spokeswoman Jessica Ferracane.
But, she said, “we don’t want that experience to be the last one that they ever have.”
National Park Service officers, in cooperation with other agencies, stepped up efforts to intercede when tour guides and individuals make illegal forays to Halema‘uma‘u Crater, the ocean lava entry and elsewhere.
Early Monday morning, officers caught a group of 14 “sneaking into” the closed area at Halema‘uma‘u. A 44-year-old tour guide “affiliated with the French tour company Adventure et Volcans” learned he will face a mandatory court appearance, a potential $5,000 fine and up to six months in jail.
The 13 tourists he allegedly led into the closed area of the Kilauea summit crater each were issued a “closure citation” for $100 — with a $30 processing fee.
Chief Ranger John Broward called the scenario a “serious violation” and said areas around the crater are closed for good reason — extremely hazardous volcanic conditions.
They include “high concentrations of toxic gases and particulates, ongoing volcanic explosions and frequent collapses of the crater walls.”
“We’ve seen an uptick in citations during this last eruptive phase,” Ferracane said, attributing the reason to lava’s strong pull upon the human psyche.
But she said toxic gases, hurled rocks, explosions and spatter can cause risk, which is why rangers specify which areas are safe for park visitors and which aren’t.
On New Year’s Eve, a large section of delta broke away and fell into the ocean at the area where lava has been pouring into the ocean.
The Kamokuna lava-viewing area was closed in anticipation. But five visitors “ducked beneath the white rope closure line and made a beeline for the coastal cliffs.” Two National Park Service staff chased after them and escorted them to safety.
“Within 15 minutes, the section of cliff where the visitors were standing crashed into the ocean,” the NPS said at the time.
Ranger Travis Delimont said “it was a really close brush with death for them.”
In early February, the U.S. Coast Guard boarded tour boats that were operating illegally from the Pohoiki boat ramp and taking passengers to view lava pouring into the ocean.
Ferracane said spectacular views can be found in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park without entering closed areas.
Email Jeff Hansel at jhansel@hawaiitribune-herald.com.
