Originally Posted by
VickiSoCal
I don't think it is that they don't want anyone to see it. It is that they want to keep the roads clear for the emergency, construction, supplies and residents. Also much of what is happening is on private land, or you need to go on private land to see it.
The residents I know do not have a issue with the steps the county has taken and are in fact pretty pleased, many are saying the mayor should run for governor, his popularity/name recognition has grown so much.
The private land thing is always a big issue in Hawaii, although from looking at the maps I don't think that's the main issue here. If you read the punaweb forums, you'll see there's a great diversity of opinion about the way the gov't has applied a very sweeping "emergency powers" law here.
Honestly, I think they just believe -- and not necessarily incorrectly -- that letting tourists near the lava would be "inconvenient." It probably would draw a crowd, and who wants crowds in your town -- especially when you obviously have other problems to deal with!
That said, I don't think this means you shouldn't try to see the lava if you're in the area. There are many things worth seeing in the world that would be ruined by mass tourism. The absence of a zillion tourists might actually help you in this case. I'll see what the locals say and report back.