As the lava flow moves closer and closer to the town of Pahoa, on the Big Island of Hawaii, I have been reflecting on the precious times that I have spent there. The Big Island holds a very special place in my heart. It is my home away from home. Each time I have been there, I have felt the warm embrace of the island. It is said that Pele either loves you or loathes you. People either have incredibly beautiful experiences on that island or dreadful times. I can say whole heartedly that Pele loves me. She has watched over me each time I was there and I had experiences that could have ended not so well. (I do like my adventures!) Pele calls me back constantly and I know that one day I will settle there to live. For those of you who have been lucky enough to visit her beautiful island, you know what I'm talking about. The rest of you probably think I'm nuts. Let me explain...
Pele is the goddess of fire and volcanos and what she says goes. She is a powerful presence on the island. It is her island; we are just visitors. She has her moods and she spreads her lava at her will. In 1986, she took the town of Kalapana. What was once a beautiful black sand beach town is now a lava field with Uncle Robert's Kava bar to welcome visitors. I walked those lava fields and was saddened and amazed at the fact that not that long ago there was a community there. I met a local who was picking up tourist's trash on the lava fields. I walked the fields for hours helping to pick up litter. What used to be homes, streets and ohana (the Hawaiian word for family), is now miles of hardened lava.
The lovely little town of Pahoa in the Puna district, is currently in jeopardy of becoming the next Kalapana. The lava just entered into the town yesterday. I have been watching the flow for a few months now. Preparations have been made, i.e.: new roads built, evacuation plans, etc. but nothing can be done to stop Pele. She has covered the cemetery and crossed the road into town. Her pace quickens and slows down at her will. I pray for the people of Pahoa. I pray for the little town and all of it's inhabitants. I know that when I return the landscape will be so different. That is the nature of the island. Madame Pele (as she is referred to) is in charge.
This is the cemetery on the outskirts of town.
Pele taking over open space. The vog is very bad in the area, due to the lava flow. Vog is air pollution caused by the volcano eruption.
Up close and personal.
Here you can see the lava flow as it heads straight for town. :(
The aerial view
Another aerial view of Pele's destruction.
This is me walking on a trail just outside of Pahoa.
