Catch the lava flows

Hawaii's lava is again flowing into the ocean.

A flow from Kilauea on the Big Island reached the shoreline recently. It was the first time since last June that lava had entered the sea, creating a spectacular scene that can be encountered only by boat or air.

A viewing area -- where the lava flow across a coastal plain can be seen, but not the ocean entry -- was opened March 8. It requires a challenging walk of about two hours from a parking area at the end of Highway 130 in Puna.

However, the ocean entry can be seen from passenger boats operated by Lava Ocean Adventures, which reports that multiple entry spots have been viewed on their trips. Tours operate during sunrise and sunset daily.

For an article about a lava-viewing trip with Lava Ocean Adventures (lavaocean.com; 808-990-0553), read an article from the Oct. 10, 2007, Getaways at goto.seattlepi.com/334922.

Helicopter tours of the ocean entry spots also are available.