Citizen hotelier: Companies embrace social responsibility

Hawaii Island grew by more than 800 acres over the past few months as the long-active eruption at Kilauea suddenly intensified in May. Lava gushed from vents and fissures southeast of the crater, overtaking residential neighborhoods and flowing to the sea. Large fields of new lava rock were created, as well as a new black sand beach. While the volcanic activity dwindled in August, cruises to Hilo and Kona were temporarily suspended; it never affected other Hawaiian Islands such as Oahu and Maui. Now tourism leaders are trying to coax visitors back to see the changed landscape.