New lava flow reaches the ocean

HILO » After weeks of inching across a narrow corner of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, a new flow of lava finally reached the ocean Wednesday night, the park said.

The flow is parallel to a long-standing flow into the ocean over state and private land about 1.5 miles to the east.

But the new flow is nothing like the old one, which features a huge steam cloud and periodic steam explosions.

The new flow is “;currently so small that it is not even making a steam plume,”; the park said.

The site is the area of the former Wahaula Heiau, long ago buried by earlier lava flows.

Since the new flow is on park land, some people will attempt to hike to it from Chain of Craters Road in the park, the officials predicted.

While not forbidding the hike, the park warned that it is eight miles round trip, and the route is hot and dangerous.

“;There is risk of serious injury or worse,”; said chief ranger Talmadge Magno.

$1.1M in storm grants is approved

Almost $1.1 million in federal disaster assistance grants and loans has been approved for victims of the mid-December storms.

According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, 480 homeowners, renters and business owners in Honolulu have been given grants totaling $955,000 to pay temporary rent, home repair and home replacement.

Also, $121,000 has been provided for personal property losses and medical or funeral expenses.

The Small Business Administration has approved almost $13,000 in disaster loans.

The Disaster Recovery Center at the Filipino Community Center in Waipahu will close for good at 5 p.m. tomorrow, although other centers will continue to serve victims.

Oahu residents may call the Federal Emergency Management Agency “;help line”; at (800) 621-3362 to apply for aid or check on the status of their case. They are advised to do so before visiting the three remaining disaster recovery centers, which are open Monday-Friday from noon to 8 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at:

» Waialua Community Association, 66-434 Kamehameha Highway.

» Laie Shopping Center, 55-510 Kamehameha Highway.

» Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center, 86-260 Farrington Highway.

Homeowners, renters and business owners may also apply for help via text telephone at (800) 462-7585 or online at www.disasterassistance.gov.

Dog owner is indicted in attack

An Oahu grand jury returned an indictment yesterday charging Joseph A. Flaherty with assaulting a law enforcement officer and other crimes in connection with a dog attack in a supermarket parking lot last week.

Honolulu police Detective Gary Lahens suffered puncture wounds and scratches when a pit-bull mix bit him in the lower abdomen Jan. 14 in the Safeway parking lot on Kapahulu Avenue. Lahens shot the dog in the shoulder. It died Tuesday at the Hawaiian Humane Society.

Flaherty is charged with assault, assault against a law enforcement officer, terroristic threatening and criminal property damage. He remains in custody unable to post $75,000 bail.

Deputy Prosecutor Keith Seto said Flaherty threw his leash hand forward, releasing the dog, which attacked Lahens.