LAVA!!

Pele’s surprise inspired hoards of people to embark on a powerful journey, from around the island and beyond. Driving in long lines of traffic, parking on grassy shoulders many miles from the start of the impromptu trail, and hiking often six miles or more each direction, swarms made the pilgrimage to see and celebrate the birth of new earth.

For many months, all lava flowed in areas viewable only by helicopter. This sudden emergence of molten rock had been long awaited by many. We both had always dreamed of seeing the flows and I had previously thought we would miss out on this once in a lifetime opportunity. Groups conducted blessings with Hula and chants amid the bustling onlookers who ranged from ecstatic to awestruck to meditative at the volcanic scene before them.

There were three main sights. First, the never ending line of visitors gathered around a trough (maybe 50 yards long?) slowly filling with lava oozing,

hardening black,

cracking to reveal red glow,

and oozing again.

Second, there were the lines of lava slowly creeping along the remains of a now burning patch of forest. Methane gas exploded from the trees and flames dances against the darkening sky.

The third site was the boiling and steaming ocean as the liquid stone met the sea. Of course, in the mountain’s mischievous nature, the public never had the chance to see it. Lava closed the trail by flowing across it during the opening ceremony.

Yet the two other sights still offered plenty of amazement. Up on the mountain, a distant forest fire formed an orange mushroom cloud of smoke to loom over the heads of all the spectators.

For many of those there, the whole event generated deep connection to the natural world, to creation, and even to other people with whom they bore witness to our earth’s mana.