Big Island guide arrested for leading tour on land closed due to lava flow

Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement officers arrested a tour guide Wednesday for conducting commercial tours within the Kahaualea Natural Area Reserve on the Big Island. The state has closed the area to the public due to hazardous conditions created by the most recent lava flow from the Kilauea volcano. The DLNR announced the arrest of Joel D. Scharer Jr., 24, of Hilo for leading guided tours into the area. A DLNR spokesperson declined…