Pu'u O'o at Kilauea Volcano

Penny took thiese photo just two nights ago

Flow activity in 2014 vs 2016

Revised 7/26:  UPDATE!  In the wee hours of the morning around 1:15am, lava has once again returned to the sea...

People who don't live on an active volcanic island cannot entirely comprehend the awareness we live with on a daily basis. It gives new meaning to "life on the edge" because here, the "edge" (ka'e) is always changing quite literally.  Lava flows and destroys, but from it grows new land and new life.

Here in the Puna Disrict, lava continues to flow from the Pu'u O'o vent of Kilauea and has been for 30 years!

All of us "Punatics" on the Big Island of Hawaii were grateful that two years ago the flow stopped within a few yards of our Pahoa Village! The lava has since changed directions and has returned to the previous area of flow, more directly south toward the ocean.

Penny -- up close and personal!

The flow has picked up recently and is now only about 1/2 mile from the ocean. When it hits the water, the spectacular show will only intensify as molten lava hit the cold water.

These photos were taken by our neighbor, Penny Overbeck showing how close you can get. It is traditional to make and leave ho'okupa (offerings/gifts) to Pele, being aware of both the destructive and creative forces at work. (remember you can 'click' on images for a close-up view)

Thinking Outside the Box

"Instead of thinking outside the box get rid of the box."
                                                         (Deepak Chopra)

This has to be one of the main reasons we love PUNATICS so much!!  The challenges of living in Puna on the Big Island are of many shapes; most folks on the Continent have no real idea of the learning curve involved when you decide to "move to Hawaii."   It's not all palm trees and white beaches.  Here in Puna life is remote and rural and the terrain is diverse, ranging from full forest to dense jungle.  The people who live here are fiercely independent creative problem solvers.

So, when *SHIT* happens, there's always an opportunity to learn what went wrong, and how to find a "work around" that will solve the problem.  And most often, it does require THINKING OUTSIDE THE BOX.

Master & Commander of Parts

Such was the case when the heater on our hot tub died.  Of course we were annoyed, but we had to admit the our electric bill was high.  So, together with our amazing contractor Rob (who is known for getting rid of the box) we came up with a better solution.

Boldly going....

We purchased 500 feet of black heavy-duty irrigation hose which was hauled up onto the roof and strapped in place to utilize passive SOLAR. We found a small, efficient, quiet pump on line to move the water through the pipes. Using a simple garden timer, next we measure the time it takes to heat the water in the black hose so that it periodically flows into our hot tub.  (As a back up for cloud-cast winter days, we have installed a small propane on-demand heater.)

By also adding a couple batteries to our existing solar system, we can now operate all our most expensive equipment through our solar set-up -- including water pump, tub, and refrigerator!!  Net result will cut our electric bill in HALF!

Shit happened -- AND we got to think of a better way to do it!

Fall Equinox & Family Rituals

In a few weeks, our family will celebrate our third year as "Punatics" -- those wild and wonderful, resourceful and creative people who live in the Puna District on Hawaii's Big Island.  And, as with most families of any size, there are the Family Rituals to mark special occasions.  Now, this is true no matter the size or composition of the family -- including two people and three Pembroke Welsh Corgi dogs.


One of our rituals is triggered by the low fall sun angle. At the Spring Equinox, the early morning sun peeks over the horizon in the east, but from a southeasterly angle shining diagonally across a light path into one area of the house.  Since Fall has always been my favorite season, I am delighted that for the Fall Equinox, the sun rises  in the east, of course, but many degrees more to the northeast and so this time of year in the early morning, I can feel its light on my face.  Just now, just at this time of year.

L to R - Reba Bo Beba, Ao Pokole Poko, & Princess I'ilani

So, tonight being the Equinox, we have two special lights -- our holiday lights that loop across the front of the house -- and are turned on this time of year.  The other lovely light comes from the glow of the lighted chandelier that belonged to Phil's grandma -- as seen through the leaded glass window that also belonged to her.  Before Phil's mother, Margaret, died last year, she bequeathed both these family treasures to Phil, and we are delighted to have them as they help mark the turning of another season.

The "seasons" in Hawaii may admittedly be subtle, but our bodies seem to respond to seasonal changes -- even the Corgyn seem willing to turn in a bit earlier.

Haute Hot!

Prayin' to get outta here before the mower comes!

Summer is HOT in Puna right now, and our weatherman (and local celebrity) Guy Hagi says it's gonna stay hot for a few days, with a reduction of the trade winds that normally keep us so delightfully comfortable.


So, as "Punatics" know, you rearrange your schedule.  Early this morning, I decided to mow -- and it is not a crazy as it sounds.  With our nightly rain, and this kine sun, the grass grows an inch every day!  So, mowing is sort of a self-preservation strategy; better to do it now than wait 3-4 days until it cools back down, BUT, when its height makes it twice as hard.


While Phil was using the Super-Duper-Pooper-Scooper (the three corgyn gave him for Father's Day) he found and rescued this seven-inch long Praying Mantis in the grass.   I also included an artistically rendered mantis I created from a photo from my friend Dhiresha.

A little later we found another lovely white pineapple ready for harvest -- and how amazing to sink your teeth into a Haute Hot, locally grown white pineapple.   (Of course what follows are COOLER ways to enjoy fresh pineapple!!)

Mango (Jam) Road

Local Punatics refer to the road from Pahoa to Pohoiki as "Mango Road;" it's lined with giant old mango trees most of the way down to the boat ramp and ocean-swimming at Issac Hale Park.  Another couple minutes down the Red Road is volcanically heated  Ahalanui Warm Pond.

Last year I swam in the afternoons (as a reward for hard work in the garden), and for physical therapy to recover from knee surgery.  This year, I have a new habit -- swimming early -- 7-8 am when the ocean tides have swept out the pond and it is deep and clear.  Driving there the last few days, I have noticed the road is covered with hundreds and hundreds of mangoes -- dropping as they do annually from the giant mango trees that line the one-lane road to the ocean.


They are small in size, but sweet and succulent, and although many crack open, get eaten by mongoose, lots just get turned into Mango Jam by the cars passing on this enchanting one-lane road.  The pits turn the road into a washboard and the fermented fruit smell reminds me of the years I made gallons of blackberry wine.


Today, I pulled over to gather a bunch of mangoes right off the ground to take home.  Other folks had the same idea as I saw 8-10 people with long poles gathering them to make pickled mango and mango jam.  Sorry, I am not that ambitious and am completely satisfied just peeling them and slurping my way down to the pit.  Yum!

PS.  Just a few days after writing this, I was headed down for an early swim when, to my surprise, I had to pull over and watch a bonafied "street sweeper/washer" moving slowly down the one lane road washing the gooey jam and pits over to the side.   It was SO odd to see a piece of city maintenance equipment doing such an unusual job in the middle of Puna.

USGS Fluid Calculations

While we would love to have a crystal ball to know what will happen and when, the truth of the matter is that any view that we might see today could easily change tomorrow.  For several days Madame Pele's activity seemed to slow some, lava moving only feet per day instead of yards.  So, we wait and watch. This week she is moving faster, again, closer to 100 yards/day.

The link below is as close to a crystal ball as we are likely to get, trying to outguess the next move in this dynamic situation:  This link also provides a day-by-day photo journal with some great images including maps and web-cams.


http://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/story/26716611/usgs-releases-updated-puna-lava-flow-arrival-time-forecast

It is interesting to talk with our neighbors and learn from each other as we attempt to deal with these unknowns -- emotionally, psychologically or spiritually.  We are all dealing with it on one level or another.  Add to that the issue of extended family members, jobs and/or animals, and the reality takes on new dimension.  Whatever lessons we are each learning, we can offer kindness, support and humor in liberal doses.

A few weeks ago, between hurricanes, and without power, we had a party at our house -- an opportunity to gather and support each other with food, wine and a sigh of relief.  Other "Punatics" are gathering now to have a "Mahalo Pele" party with food, hula, music and dancing.  Great response from us local "Punatics."

Island of PUNA?!

USGS Photo taken June 27, 2014

This is a photo of Pu'u O'o on June 27th -- the day the NE flow began.  As of September 18th,  according to Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, the leading edge of the lava flow is 300-500 feet wide and 1-2 feet thick. It can thicken, however, to 10 feet or higher as it builds upon itself.  Because the flow does vary, it is difficult to project the exact date that the lava will reach Pahoa and Hwy 130. Given the most recent average daily flow, HVO projects that the lava will reach Pahoa Village road around the end of the month, and Highway 130 around mid-October. *** These dates are estimate each day, based on flow activity and are updated by USGS. ***    From there it is only 4-5 miles to the ocean.



 "The Island of Puna" - home of the Punatics

The black X indicates the area of flow for the past 30 years down through Royal Gardens and Kalapana to the ocean; it is now many miles wide and impassible.  The BLUE lines indicates an old railroad path (not even a real road) and a beach road that is barely passable for most cars.  The county is going to open these temporarily for general traffic.  But the reality is there is nothing to stop the lava flow RED lines as it heads towards downhill to the ocean.  Very soon even those temporary roads will not be accessible.

The GREEN circle represents thousands of people who may will be living on The Island of Puna. (PS: One blog reader had an estimate of 8500 -- but we all know there's probably even MORE.)

Which Way?

Puna Tsunami Sign

Humboldt County Tsunami Sign

Recently as we were headed to the beach and driving down the "red road" near our new home on the Big Island,  our visiting friend noticed a sign we had driven by numerous times. However, she saw something we had missed!  She laughed as she got out of the car to take a photo of a tsunami evacuation because the person on the sign appears to be running TOWARD the approaching disaster.  She decided it must be a surfer!

While living in Humboldt County, tsunami signs were just a bit different, with people heading away from the danger.

Maybe it's just what Punatics do?  (Or, maybe it was just a graphic artist with a twisted sense of humor.)