HONOLULU -- For the first time in years the general public may have a chance to get a close-up view of lava from Kilauea Volcano.

In the last two days, a finger of lava has made its way down slope from the bottom of the Royal Gardens subdivision. The slowly oozing flow is now close to crossing the former route of Highway 130, which is now an emergency access road.

Local residents were able to get right up to the flow on Tuesday.

"My husband went up there and says there are about 75 people," one woman said.

The flow is about two miles from where the highway is officially closed, but the Big Island mayor plans to open the area up to the general public.

"To keep viewers out would be impossible. So, we are trying to prepare a safe viewing area," Mayor Harry Kim said.

County workers began preparing parking areas, traffic controls, portable bathrooms and a trail that could be ready in a few days for what could be a spectacular experience.

"This phenomenon, if at all possible, should be shared as best we can, and I believe that and we hope to do that," Kim said.

Until the area is prepared, possibly not until the weekend, the mayor is urging the public to stay away until the area is safe for the crush of volcano viewers.