A trip to Hawaii is not cheap, and now tourists are wondering if they need to cancel their holiday plans.
Mount Kilauea on the island of Hawaii has been continually erupting since May, causing anxiety and chaos for the residents.
On Monday there were further injuries when a blob of volcanic rock bubbled up and surged through the roof of a tourist boat.
This can happen when hot lava flows into the cold ocean.
The boat, which was near the Kilauea volcano, was hit by a “lava bomb” which injured 23 people.
EPA / GETTY
HAWAII VOLCANO: A tourist boat was hit by a lava bomb
Molten rock which was running through the ocean exploded, sending chunks of lava onto the Lava Ocean Tour boat.
The rocks left a gaping hole in the roof of the boat, and one passenger suffered a broken leg.
Lava tourism sees people travel to locations near erupting volcanoes.
This dangerous type of tourism has increased since the latest eruptions.
Mount Kilauea is one of the worlds most active volcanoes, and the continuing eruption has destroyed hundreds of homes, forcing thousands to evacuate.
PICTURED: Explosive eruption rocks Hawaii volcano sending ash 30,000ft into air
Mount Kilauea is blasting out 'ballistic blocks' the size of KITCHEN APPLIANCES and the authorities are warning it could get WORSE 
Getty Images The ash plume rapidly rises from the eruption site
“British nationals in the area should monitor local media reports and follow advice of local authorities, including any evacuation orders”
Foreign Office
Is it safe to travel to Hawaii?
The Foreign Office has issued travel advice regarding travelling to Hawaii following volcanic activity.
The warning said: “British nationals in the area should monitor local media reports and follow advice of local authorities, including any evacuation orders.
For further updates see the State of Hawaiis website.”
However, officials say the eruption is in a remote part of the island, and poses no real risk to tourists, according to Forbes.
GETTY
HAWAII VOLCANO: The volcano erupted in May and has continued ever since
It goes without saying tourists should stay away from the affected areas.
Hawaii Governor David Ige and State Department of Health Director Dr Virginia Pressler said in a joint statement: Hawaiis air quality is being closely monitored on a continuing basis by scientists, meteorologists and the State Department of Health.
“This team of experts says the air quality in the Hawaiian Islands is safe for residents and visitors, except in the affected areas.
“The bottom line is that there is no reason for travellers to avoid making their vacation plans in the Hawaiian Islands due t safety concerns because of Kilauea volcano.”
If you travel to Hawaii you should stay well away from the evacuation zones, which you can check here.
Kilauea volcano eruption LIVE PICTURES
Staggering images show the sheer scale of the Hawaiian Kilauea volcano, as lava and hazardous fumes continue to spew 
AFP/Getty Images A lava flow moving on Makamae Street in Leilani Estates in Hawaii
Hawaiian officials have warned of the dangers of getting to close to the volcanic area.
The interaction of lava entering the ocean can create clouds of acid and fine glass.
However, following the incident on Monday, the safety zone has been extended by the Coast Guard.
Boats were required to be at least 300 meters, almost 1,000 ft away from the lava flow.
Some commercial and research vessels were allowed, if granted special permission, to do closer.
EPA
HAWAII VOLCANO: The tourist boat was near Mount Kilauea
These boats were allowed to be up to 100 meters, or 330 ft, away, and last week the Coast Guard lowered the safety zone even further to 50 meters (164ft).
Now all boats must obey the 300 meter rule.
Hawaiis Big Island has grown by nearly 700 acres since the eruption started.
Captain Darren Taylor of the Hawaii National Guard said: “In the mandatory evacuation area theres an ever-present, immediate danger.
“Sulphur dioxide levels, wind shift. The immediate threat from the lava.”
Related articles
[contf] [contfnew] 
daily star
[contfnewc] [contfnewc]
