キラウエア　溶岩すくいした2人を不法侵入でハワイ警察が逮捕

By JOHN BURNETT
Tribune-Herald staff writer
Police arrested two Puna residents Thursday evening who allegedly trespassed to see the June 27 lava flow in Pahoa up close and personal and to claim some lava-covered souvenirs.

The pair, 59-year-old Stephen Paul Koch of Pahoa and 65-year-old Ruth Crawford of Keaau were both charged with second-degree criminal trespassing. Prior to their arrests, the two were shown on television, showing an egg beater and golf clubs that had been dipped in lava.

Police said in a written statement they saw the alleged trespassers on county property beyond a fence within five feet of the flow, taking pictures, and the path of travel indicated they had crossed over private property to reach their viewing location.

Officers later found a pickup truck and sport-utility vehicle in the Pahoa Community Center parking lot registered to each arrested individual, and saw household utensils dipped in lava on the dashboard of one of the vehicles.

“It’s for their own safety that they’re not supposed to go out there,” said Puna Patrol Sgt. B.J. Duarte. “The geologists are saying there are methane explosions and all other kind of things going on,” in the active flow.

Both were released after posting $250 bail and have Dec. 11 court dates to answer charges. Under normal circumstances, the crime is a petty misdemeanor punishable by up to 30 days in jail and a fine of up to $1,000, but it’s possible they could face stiffer criminal penalties because the alleged act occurred during a declared state of emergency.

The flow front remained stalled this morning 480 feet from Pahoa Village Road and less than a half-mile from Pahoa Village Road as of this morning, but lava from Pu‘u O‘o vent remained active upslope.

Police officers and unarmed National Guard members are manning barricades attempting to keep trespassers out of the active lava flow area around Apa‘a Street.

Police are also asking for the public to report sightings of anyone who may be trespassing near the active lava flow or in areas beyond police barricades. They can call the police non-emergency line at 935-3311 or Crime Stoppers at 961-8300.

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Media Release
Two Puna residents were arrested Thursday (October 30) for trespassing into a restricted area near active lava.

Shortly before 6 p.m. Thursday (October 30), police responded to a report of two persons who were in the vicinity of an active lava flow located above Pāhoa town. Upon arrival, officers observed a man and a woman facing the flow within five feet of the lava and taking pictures. They were in possession of two golf clubs that had a ball of hardened lava on the end.

The pair were on County of Hawai‘i property beyond a fence. The path of travel indicated they had crossed private property to reach the viewing location. Sixty-five-year-old Ruth Crawfort of Ainaloa and 59-year-old Stephen Koch of Nānāwale were arrested for the offense of second-degree criminal trespassing.

Officers later located a pickup truck and sports-utility vehicle in the Pāhoa Community Center parking lot registered to each arrested individual. Through the front windshield, officers observed household utensils dipped in lava on the dashboard.

Crawford and Koch were each charged with the offense and then released after posting $250 bail each.

Police encourage members of the public to report sighting of persons who may be trespassing near the active lava flow or in areas beyond police barricades.

Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call the islandwide Crime Stoppers number at 961-8300 and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000. Crime Stoppers is a volunteer program run by ordinary citizens who want to keep their community safe. Crime Stoppers doesn’t record calls or subscribe to caller ID. All Crime Stoppers information is kept confidential.

By AUDREY McAVOY and JENNIFER SINCO KELLEHER
Associated Press
PAHOA, Hawaii (AP) - 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 residents have been streaming into Pahoa for a glimpse of the lava since the flow edged closer to the town's main road. Tourists and residents from around the Big Island are 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.