HILO, Hawai'i — Lava completed its trip down the slopes of Kilauea volcano and began flowing into the ocean at the Puna coastline at about 1 a.m. this morning, Civil Defense officials confirmed.

Big Island Mayor Harry Kim was inspecting the scene from the ground this morning while Civil Defense officials and scientists from the U.S. Geological Survey's Hawaiian Volcanoes Observatory used a county helicopter this morning to inspect the path of the flow from the air, said Civil Defense officer Duane Hosaka.

Lava passed through the Royal Gardens subdivision and cut an access road that extended from the end of Highway 130 on Tuesday evening.

The area is now closed at the end of Highway 130, but state and county officials hope to open a new area for lava viewing by this weekend.

County officials expect 1,000 visitors or more will head for the site once it is opened. The flow that passed through Royal Gardens offers the most accessible lava viewing opportunities from the ground in many months.

Reach Kevin Dayton at kdayton@honoluluadvertiser.com.