Lava from Kílauea volcano once again has oozed through the mostly abandoned Royal Gardens subdivision, covering portions of the small open areas untouched by previous flows.

The volcano has been erupting since 1983 and over the years has destroyed an estimated 66 homes or other structures in Royal Gardens.

The U.S. Geological Survey's Hawaiian Volcano Observatory yesterday reported that lava from the 2007 "Thanksgiving Eve Breakout" vent was flowing through the upper 2 miles of the lava-tube system above the subdivision and feeding surface flows that were advancing slowly down the pali and across the coastal plain.

A half-dozen channelized flows meandered down a steep portion of the pali last week, burning vegetation in the western part of Royal Gardens, the observatory said.

Lava has not been flowing into the ocean for at least a month.