Hawaii tourism officials have urged visitors to be respectful when flocking to a national park on the Big Island to get a glimpse of the latest eruption of Kilauea, one of the world's most active volcanoes.
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Kilauea, Hawaii's second-largest volcano, began erupting Wednesday after a three-month pause.
The US Geological Survey's Hawaiian Volcano Observatory on Thursday lowered Kilauea's alert level from warning to watch because the rate of lava input declined, and no infrastructure is threatened.
The eruption activity is confined to the closed area of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
"Out of respect for the cultural and spiritual significance of a volcanic eruption and the crater area for many kama`aina, the Hawaii Tourism Authority urges mindfulness when planning a visit to the volcano," the agency said in a statement, using a Hawaiian word often used for Hawaii residents.
For many Indigenous Hawaiians, an eruption of a volcano has a deep yet very personal cultural significance.
Some chant, some pray to ancestors, and some honour the moment with hula, or dance.
Hawaiians ask that people keep a respectful distance.
"Don't just get out your camera and take photos," said Cyrus Johnasen, a spokesman for Hawaii County.
"Stop and be still and take it in.
"In that moment, you are one with Hawaii."
In recognising the sacredness of the area, Johnasen also urged visitors to not take rocks, refrain from horseplay and leave plants alone.
"A lot of plants up there are native," he said.
"Just be mindful that you will leave a footprint.
"The idea is you leave one that's small as possible."
Word of Kilauea's lava fountains spread quickly, bringing crowds to the park.
There was no exact count available, but officials estimated the first day and night of the eruption brought more than 10,000 people - more than triple the number of visitors on a normal day when Kilauea isn't erupting, park spokeswoman Jessica Ferracane said.
Thousands more have been watching the US Geological Survey's live stream showing red pockets of moving lava.
Scientists expect the eruption to continue and remain confined to the Halemaumau crater in the park.
Early on Wednesday, lava fountains were as high as 60 metres and decreased to four to nine metres in the afternoon, according to the observatory.
"People here on Hawaii Island are getting a spectacular show," Mayor Mitch Roth said.
"And it's happening in a safe place that was built for people to come view it."
Australian Associated Press
