HILO » Two Hawaii island residents pleaded no contest Thursday to trespassing on county property to take pictures of an active lava flow.

Ruth Crawford, 65, of Ainaloa and Stephen Koch, 59, of Nanawale apologized for their actions before Circuit Judge Diana Van De Car.

They were arrested Oct. 30 after a Hawaii County police officer saw them "facing the flow within 5 feet of the lava and taking pictures" in a restricted area. Crawford and Koch had two golf clubs, each with a ball of hardened lava on the end. An eggbeater that had been partially dipped in lava also was found in one of their vehicles.

Crawford and Koch both were charged with trespassing, a petty misdemeanor, and released after posting $250 bail each.

They could have faced an elevated charge because of the state of emergency in effect for Puna. The state Legislature this year elevated certain crimes to higher classifications while an emergency proclamation is in place. Hawaii County Mayor Billy Kenoi made that proclamation for the lower Puna district in September.

Crawford and Koch have agreed to serve six months probation, but asked that formal sentencing be deferred until May, when they are scheduled for a compliance hearing.

"I know I did something wrong," Crawford said. "I’m a good person, but I did do something wrong and I sincerely apologize to the court."

Koch also expressed remorse. "I apologize for causing a lot of trouble for a lot of people," he said.

Crawford and Koch were fined $250, the amount of their bail. They will also pay a $30 crime victim fee and a $75 fee for the deferral.