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some news for those that maybe planning to visit the islands in the next months

Lava Flow Observations: The 61G lava flow extending southeast of Puʻu ʻŌʻō towards the coastal plain on Kīlauea's south flank remains active. The 61G lava flow extending southeast of Puʻu ʻŌʻō entered the ocean, as of 1:12 a.m. HST yesterday. (July 27 2016). It is currently 20 m (66 ft) wide where it spills over the sea cliff. Another narrow lobe of the flow has advanced along the west margin of the main flow.

more updates can be found at
http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/activity/kilaueastatus.php

there were some boat operators that would take one out to the coast when the last flow was into the ocean pretty sure these operators may start up again if the flow continues and grows. Alternate way maybe "heli tours".

Comes at a good time as we are panning a visit for late October before winter hits us.

doug

Apparently this is the first time since 2013 that the lava flow has reached the ocean. Ironically that was when I last lived on the Big Island. Here's a good video of the flow and Pu'u'o'o crater taken from a helicopter. Two of the photographers on the land are ridiculously close to the flow and lava shelf edge - a big risk as lava shelf's are known to collapse unpredictably. The boat tours near the flows into the ocean look like a cool way to see & photograph it though.

https://vimeo.com/176569035