The latest Kilauea 'a'a lava flow stalled yesterday within three-tenths to four-tenths of a mile from the Royal Gardens subdivision but the upper part of the flow "is still very much active," according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

A flyover of the subdivision showed eight remaining homes and structures, said Duane Hosaka, interim administrative officer for Hawai'i County Civil Defense.

The last remaining permanent resident, Dean Schneider, plans to monitor the flow but remain in his home for now, Hosaka said.

"He's staying put," Hosaka said. "He's been there so long that he feels he's safe for now."

There is no vehicle access to the remaining homes because the last three miles of road along Highway 130 into Royal Gardens is covered by hardened lava.

People trying to get into Royal Gardens then have to walk another two miles to get to the subdivision, Hosaka said.

"It's a good hike," he said.

Another Royal Gardens resident who still comes into the area, Jack Thompson, runs a bed-and-breakfast operation that flies customers in and out by helicopter, Hosaka said.

The subdivision has largely been abandoned due to repeated lava flows over the past 25 years.

The Royal Gardens subdivision originally had 1,827 lots, but much of that property has been covered. The volcano has destroyed an estimated 63 homes in Royal Gardens since 1983.