Boat owner accused of illegal lava tours faces $10,000 fine

HONOLULU (AP) - A boat owner in Hawaii is facing a $10,000 fine for what the state says were illegal lava tours.

Hawaii News Now reports (https://bit.ly/2lJbSbD) Henry Pomroy and his attorney Steven Strauss went to the Land Board to contest the case.

Strauss says his client is not engaged in a commercial activity.

Investigators interviewed Pomroy’s passengers and the Department of Land and Natural Resources said in a complaint that two people acknowledged paying $150 to see the lava flow.

The Hawaii Island lava flow has attracted thousands of spectators.

Four companies have authorization to operate commercial tours that depart from the Pohoiki Boat Launching Ramp.

Officials say Pomroy is not licensed under the land department or the U.S. Coast Guard.

Resolving the case could take several months.

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Information from: KGMB-TV, https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/