LAVA IS FLOWING IN HAWAII

Follow this link to see the Live shot from Hawaii Volcanoes National Park   LAVA FOUNTAINS

TIS THE SEASON....

...yes, 'tis the season...in many traditions, for family, friends, gift giving and celebration. For many years we have had a special place in our home for a statue of Ganesh – beloved elephant deity of many people, but most particularly people of the Hindu faith. And, of course this particular event coincides with other religious and cultural celebrations at this time of year -- dating back centuries and millennia. 

Our (previous) home altar

Are we Hindu?  No, but the teachings of Lord Ganesh go far beyond a spiritual practice and include adaptations and relevant components of philosophy, psychology and thoughtful heart/mind wisdom.  Some people only know of Ganesh as the “remover of obstacles” – but he is also Lord of Word and Light.

Pancha Ganapati is a modern Hindu festival of the Five-Faced version of Ganesh (pancha means “five”.) This festival lasts for five days – from December 21 through 25. Pancha Ganapati is a Hindu season of worship, gift giving and celebration much like many other faiths and traditions: Christian, Buddhism, Islam, Judaism and more. 

Another typical altar for this seasonal event

The idea is that family members work together, in forgiveness and good spirit, and bring Lord Ganesh’s blessings of joy and harmony into five realms of their lives, welcoming in a wider circle of their lives each day: family, friends, associations, culture, and religion. The family creates a shrine in the living room, decorated for the occasion.

This BLUE is the color
 of our new sapphire rings

In learning and using Sanskrit chants in meditation practice for many years, perhaps the most important teaching I have learned is that in all actuality “I” am the biggest obstacle I will ever meet.  You don’t have to ascribe to a Hindu belief system to appreciate that “getting out of our own way” is a valuable life teaching.

When we lost our Leilani Estates home in May (fire/lava) several of our friends, knowing our appreciation for this charming deity, gave us Ganesh statues -- all of which will be thoughtfully placed in our new home. Maybe while Ganesh could not save our home  he DID (along with the help of our attorneys) manage to "move" Lloyds' of London to pay up!! And here we are, today, bruised but not broken, moving into a house the same color as one of the most famous statues of Ganesh!

Rainbows and Flags Over Leilani

For those of you who have been following our blog, you already know the story. Newcomers to our blog are welcome to browse back weeks or months -- especially to know more about the fire and then Kilauea lava flow that went through Puna's Leilani Subdivision in May.

First is a photo that appeared on our local blog forum and with permission, we are including it. The "hill" you see is the cone of Fissure 8. The other day we got an email that someone had placed a Hawaiian flag on top of #8 near our property in Leilani Estates (on Luana.)


We found it interesting that this event coincided with Hawaiian Independence Day, November 28th, about which you can read below. Like many issues, there are multiple points of view, but we found this well written short article instructive -- especially if you didn't know that Hawaii HAD an Independence Day -  or WHY!

Photo taken by Aerial Visions (our friend Clive Cardozo -  Mauna Loa in background).
Everything we owned is under that mountain of lava!! 200 feet high

 Hawaiian Independence Day!!

WATCH CLIVE VIDEO BELOW!!

The flag is there with our respect for the original people of this area who called it Keahialaka.

Aerial Visions LLC VIDEO of FISSURE 8

Phil and Lunel Haysmer (former residents of Luana)

Tears of Joy

Life After Flow

No photo credit was given on Google-Share.  We believe these photos were taken from the street next to ours.

While the lava flow appears to have stopped, and there is evidence of life returning (especially after the huge dump of rain from recent hurricane) lives are still in turmoil.

Over 700 homes were destroyed, of course many of them were our friends and neighbors. Many are in evacuation zones and cannot return, many are still living in Leilani, and there are those who want to return because their homes are still there. Those living there face an uncertain future, partially due to the possibility of future lava flows, unsafe air quality, etc. Many others simply cannot return as lava flows have block streets, or because the toxic fumes have penetrated the structures making them unsafe to live in. There are many variations for each resident, and it seems that the confusion is compounded by lack of clear communication between Civil Defense and both County and State governments.  LOTS of unknowns lie ahead.  Here are some photos posted on Google-Share.

As most of our dedicated blog followers already realize, a few days after our house burned, this cinder cone began to pile up and eventually reached about 200' in height completely covering our home and neighbors close by.  Yet, life returns -- and we are nestling into our new temporary home in Volcano.  Click on link below to see more ---


To see more about Volcano Village

Lava Update and Economic Re-Building Needs of the District of Puna

At our corner of Luana and Leilani

Aloha blog followers! We belong to a local forum of neightbors on NextDoor where we can access information being posted by our friends and neighbors. In the last week or so, people still living in either the voluntary evacuation or even the involuntary zones are providing some encouraging news -- that, of course, must be taken with a grain (or three) of salt. The main source of flowing lava from Fissure #8 appears to be slowing, but this historic and unprecedented volcanic event remains unpredictable.

Lava fissures slice across the land

From earlier posts there are fissures that slice cross the entire subdivision from the southwest corner to the northeast. There are gas emissions coming up through many of those fissures in many places. We understand that some people want to move back into their still-standing homes.  However, many of the still-standing homes have extensive and permanent damage making them uninhabitable. This video shows the extent of the damage to homes, lives and local farms.

VIDEO:  Fissure 8 reduced flow

Of particular interest to us is at 50 (seconds in) where the 200+ foot cinder cone covers what was our property, also at 1.0. At 1.41 you can see Luana street, and because we know all our neighbors, it is painfully personal. Aloha to Erik and Amber, Helena, Roni and John, Eileen, Harry and Patti, and others whose houses are still standing on our street, but uninhabitable There are other neighbors who like us, where fire burned their homes days before the lava reach them..

Also, at 2.34 you can see a graphic image of a home totally surrounded and inaccessible. At 2.45 you can see the result of lava tubes feeding into the ocean. At 2.58, 3.07 and 3.30 what remains of the local favorites -- Isaac Hale Boat ramp, where the pilot gives a "thumbs up" it is still there. Lastly, perhaps just as an abstract image, 3.03.

Using some of the same footage Hawaii Volcano Observatory provides explanation:

HVO extensive explanation of slow-down

Most people traumatized by this event are worried about where to live, what to eat, how to survive, businesses and farms frantic over loss of income -- while the state and county "discuss" appropriation of money to help this crisis. Frankly, many people don't have the energy or time to devote -- that's what we expect from our government and elected officials..WELL JUST LISTEN to the BLAH BLAH BLAH response to the desperate needs and requests for financial assistance. For example - listen to the fact of the State appropriation of $100 MILLION dollars to Kauai -- when they asked for it through a Special Session and got it in ONE WEEK!-- and NOTHING yet for Puna on the Big Island --- over three months later.

Senator Ruderman and Mayor Kim asking COUNTY AND STATE to help

On The Road Again

During the first few weeks after The Event (which includes the seizure/coma/fire/lava) on May 2nd, I have been unable to tolerate excessive stimulation -- like noise, light, crowds, conversation, traffic, shopping lines, dogs barking, sirens, helicopters etc., etc..  One Sunday early in the process, Phil went to one of our local farmers' markets alone and came back with a surprise gift. As he presented it to me he confessed that he had just spend a lot of money buying a gift for me. Of course, right now, spending money on anything unnecessary has not been part of our MO.

Then, with his shy grin, he confessed as I opened the gift, that actually he had only spent $10! Opening the gift I was again moved to tears at his perceptive choice -- a tapestry from India -- pictured here. Of course, the meaning was clear; we are "on the road again" in our lives -- in a temporary safe place while knowing we will be moving again before this challenging ordeal is over. To both of us it represented that wherever we go, we take our "temple" with us. And, so it is as we prepare to move ourselves, our furry kids, and our "Temple" to our next safe haven.

It has been an interesting learning experience for me, personally, to have been forced to "drop the reins" struggling with the associated disabilities of PTSD and the loss of our home, and the unknowns of the seizure incident -- me, the Type-A Leo - in charge, in control, multi-tasking person I am. In my letting go, Phil has taken on a new role as Protector and Defender and it is he who has been driving the bus, providing a sense of tender compassion while dealing with his own losses.

Through it all we have had moments of doubt, yes, of course, moments of despair and depression, but we have managed to return to the deepest truths we know for reassurance and hope. And, always with gratitude to the kindness of friends, neighbors and strangers who have aided us in our journey.

"Fire Works"

Well, tonight, instead of looking at the glow of Leilani Estate's Fissure #8 in Puna, taking up a quarter of the sky even from 15 miles a way, we watched a few local groups from upstairs at our hanai home. However, if you want to really see some explosive wonder -- you must watch this amazing U-tube video, sent to me by a sister artist: Explosive Genius - Cai Gui-Qiang

Waiting Is: I Grok (or not)

Of course losing our lovely retirement home in the lava flow has been devastating. And in the midst of this loss we are blessed to be finding the "diamonds" that Lunel's dream envisioned while she was in the ICU, what seems a long time ago, but was only May 2nd -- only hours before the lost of our home by fire, and a few days later, by lava.

It has now been over a month since we filed our insurance claim and this waiting to hear is only contributing to our anxiety. Perhaps you never realize what PTSD is until you personally experience it; drugs like Valium help the rage or anxiety, Prozak helps with the severe depression -- but WAITING and WAITING is the hardest part.

We so appreciate the kindness we have been afforded by staying with a lovely family. Yes, the loss of our dog, Reba, was another hard reality to face. And, we know that she is in her original home where she will be loved and cared for -- another blessing and relief. Of course many people, some of whom we don't even know personally, have contributed to the Go-Fund-Me account that was set up for us by Astra at Many Hands Gallery in Eureka. Others donated through Amazon or Home Depot -- most of which has been used to purchase wood-working tools for Phil.

Our gracious host in our temporary home has set up a space for Phil to continue "making sawdust" that is a way for him to process the loss of the amazing wood shop we had built, and the people we bought koa wood from donated a lovely stack of wood he will use to continue making fish for the gallery he sells through.

Lunel continues to process her grief through her art in a new journal -- a few pages of which are here, and through some reading. She is also writing short pieces about her internal process and the magnitude of such a loss. The dogs are constantly by her side and now that there are only three there is less stress and more comfort.

Some people have asked about insurance. Well, yes, we had insurance but it appears that there was a "Lava Exclusion" on about page 47 or so of 50 pages. We have submitted a claim however, and now all we can do is wait. Actually, we should have heard from insurance company by now.

In the meantime, life goes on -- Lunel is getting therapy to help with anxiety/depression etc., all associated with PTSD. Her cataract surgery, that had been postponed due to the seizure/coma incident has been rescheduled which will be very helpful as her contacts and bifocals are now under 25 feet of cooling lava with everything else. Phil did good: He got the dogs and the computer, without which we would really feel isolated. We've lost all addresses, phone numbers and birthdays, but will have to let that go for now.

There is current state and county discussion about setting up a new sub-division for those of us who lost our primary residence, but, as with most government processes, it will take time and "due process." Until then:  "Waiting IS...."  We are fortunate that our mutual life-philosophies include the concepts that life is unpredictable, that nothing is certain, and that all we can be sure of is CHANGE. A quote from someplace: "It takes courage to be done with the old and to seek the new." We did that once, leaving Humboldt County, so it seems we still have something to learn.

For those following our blog -- maybe this is more than you wanted or needed to know, but for now it is our primary way of answering questions many people have asked -- it continues to be a challenge for us to repeat all of this information to individuals over the phone -- and we appreciate your understanding. Mahalo to everyone!

For those who want a brief overview of Haysmer's Famous Fissure #8 here's the latest Utube:
Lava News June 14

All Things Being Equal

Lunel has begun a new journal 

For all our friends and ohana family who are checking in periodically there are just a few things to know about our current situation.

1. Our new family and place where we are staying is safe and comfortable and beyond generous.
2. The internet connection for anything is extremely sporadic so communication may be slow
3. We are both finding ways to "feel normal" without all the things that used to fill those roles.

Evening meal with our new family and old neighbors

(from bottom)
All Things Being Equal
And Change Inevitable
I Choose to Be Her Now!

Years ago, during a major life growth/adjustment/change at age 60, I got my first tattoo -- a symbol that kept coming through in my dreams and art. Since then I have used it on all my art. For me it is represents one of my basic core beliefs: Joy and Sorrow - Life and Death - Light and Dark all are not only necessary elements to existence but also equal.

New family building on just for us!! That's aloha!

And so it is in the be-here-now moment, or as we say here "Be Here Na'au." The loss feels overwhelming and unbearable and yet, somehow it also feels equal to the generous aloha-spirit that is being extended to us. And, that is equal to our discomfort at asking for help or even receiving it. The photos on our previous blog show the destruction and these represent how we are processing the pain and receiving the aloha as we find our way into an unknown future.

Especially to those who have made any kind of contribution we say MAHALO!! our difficulty getting on-line or even staying connected to say "thank you" makes responding a challenge.

Farewell to 2017

Visitors at Luana Ohana

Not everything that happens in our lives is as exciting as a walk out to see lava pouring miles down the hillside and into the ocean (our last post.) After four and a half years, we are still discovering and delighting in retirement. By the way, the Hawaiian word LUANA (our street name) has a very rich and appropriate meaning to us especially as it relates to our retirement!

LUANA: to be at leisure, to enjoy pleasant surroundings and associates, to live in comfort and ease, to enjoy onesself.    "E luana wale ana no" (Just enjoying ourselves)

Here's a photo of our front porch, with our beautiful gong (with the symbol for water) from Many Hands Gallery in Eureka.

Next to the porch is a dense bed of tropical plants that has some flowering spiral ti plants that look like aliens!!



Along the outside wall by the porch is an ornamental flowering passion vine that is home to dozens of geckos who find curious places to artfully hang out. (One in the mouth of the 'green man' sculpture, another on the head of the goddess.)

There's no way you can effectively keep them out of the house, but they are welcome guests because they eat small spiders and other insects -- especially in the kitchen. Last is an artfully-adapted photo I took in the kitchen with gecko silhouetted from light from the window over the sink.

Tubes and Craters and Cones -- OH MY!!

Real place, real people, but photoshoped artistry

The District of Puna (where we live on the Big Island) is riddled with volcanic features and activity. If you are a regular blog follower, you’ve already read several entries about Kilauea’s Pu’u O’o vent, flowing continuously for over 30 years. But flowing lava is just part of the volcanic story. ("click" on any image for bigger view.)

For example, the entire district has massive, hollow, miles-long lava tubes running underground. Access to these happens when a layer collapses forming a puka (hole) in the surface. They may be great for spelunkers but are not so great for stray pets…some return, but some never find their way back home. Our friends across the street had a puka so large they had to put a chain link fence around it to keep their dogs safe!

Map shows our house and our two friends houses (notice Geothermal Plant -- on the edge of another big crater

A recent Easter Party with friends prompted this blog entry and a little talk-story about craters within walking distance from us. Although there are many such, we are talking about three that are about 2-3 miles from our house in Leilani Estates Subdivision. Our friends live about a mile due east from us where the yard in front of their house features a currently operating steam vent. We joke that at least they have the option of building a sweat lodge or a unit that will produce poached eggs. If you look at the map you can see there are craters directly behind them.

Google Earth closer up - our house on left - friends' houses closer to craters

Another friend, another mile east, actually built his house on the edge of a crater. We have visited his house and walked along the edge of this crater, which at its widest is about 100 m. Scientists believe that this crater, called Pu`ulena Crater (Yellow Hill,) was formed by the collapse of a series of three smaller pit craters with steam-driven explosive eruptions that blanketed the area with rock debris as thick as 20 m.

As the two craters on either end of Pu’ulena are Kahuwai (Water Master) and Pawai (Water Container) it is further thought that an explosive eruption probably took place when ascending magma encountered perched groundwater or a hydrothermal reservoir. After this event the ground may have collapsed due to the subsequent withdrawal of magma forming what is now an elongated crater. This explosive activity occurred 450-700 years ago. (Above info gleaned from variety of sources including: USGS, Hawaii Dept of Land and Natural Resources, Hawaii Volcano HVO Hawaii Volcano Observatory, Google Earth.

Always on the Move

Photo from the HVO Kilauea Status website of Kilauea's inner crater.

Sometimes it is hard to explain the difference between living on the Big Island of Hawaii, and living back on the continent of America.  While there are fault zones and even earthquakes, the difference is that our land is not solid!  In fact it is always moving beneath us AND moving above ground as it has for the past 30+ years.

Even when we take visiting friends to Kilauea to see the inner Crater of Halema'uma'u the House of the Ferns, (pronounced HA-LAY MA-U MA-U) apart from the glow at night, it often seems static, but it is not. In just the last few weeks the lava level inside the inner crater has fluctuated a lot, sometimes dropping down and sometimes spilling over the top.

Lava stopped just before dividing out town in half!

While the most exciting view at the present time is the lava flowing into the ocean which we shared with blog viewers in our August 9th blog, there's a LOT happening down inside the inner crater of Kilauea all the time.

"Click" on this link from the US Geological Survey - Halema'u'ma'u Crater   This is a 12 minute video created by the USGS during July. (You have an option just to "click" and view, or to download the video.) It was lava from a Kilauea vent called Pu'u O'o that flowed directly at our small village of Pahoa just a couple years ago, stopping just at the edge of the town -- to the relief of everyone.

Big Island Lava!

Thanks to "Hawaiian Sailing Adventures" - Mahalo!!

Lunel's "Lava Moon"

Everyone here in Puna is pretty excited about the lava flow on the Big Island right now -- especially because it is NOT headed our way (this time) but flowing into the ocean. The national news has pick up some of the images. There are so many we are just posting our favorite (for this week.)

Our thanks to those people who are able to get up close and personal -- by taking the 4 mile hike....and trekking over some pretty treacherous terrain. *** Some are also taking lava tour boats for some amazing photos like the one shown here.

Helicopter tours are also available. Another image that got national attention this week was when "Tropical Visions Video" (Paradise Helicopters) flew over the Pu'u O'o crater and found....what?!  A "Smiley Face!"  If you click on this link you will have your own personal 5-minute tour of what can be seen from an aerial perspective --  Pu'u O'o "Smiley Face"

The power and energy of this is awe inspiring, and Lunel wanted to create her own interpretation with this image from her new "Moku Moe'uhane" Island Dreams collection.  (Available as a 18x24" stretched canvas print for $150, or in boxed note cards (8 for $22 variety includes images from July29th post.)

*** Visitors and locals can easily get injured on these treks -- "skim" lava that looks solid can still break through to molten hot spots below.  Use caution.

Lava Meets Ocean!

Once upon a time....

On a beautiful moonlit night (July 26th) in the wee hours of the morning (1:15am) the lava flowed down the pali and into the ocean -- once again.

Like our post mentioned a few days ago (7/15) lava in the Puna District of the Big Island of Hawaii has been flowing for decades -- NON STOP!! However it has changed directions a few times.

Local residents have been waiting for this night for many months as Kilauea lava, flowing through the Pu'u O'o fissure has been making its way to the ocean. On more level land, it moves slower and spreads, but when it approaches the pali (cliffs) it moves rapidly.   Here are some stunning photographs taken by our neighbor Kris Burmeister.  There is also a link to more information on the flow.  CLICK on any photo for bigger view! Enjoy!

LINK to Lava News

A to Z!

East facing lava wall

Stairway runs L-to-R up to the top with beds in front.

Amphitheater to Ziggurat!  When we first bought our house in Puna on the Big Island,the only thing that was somewhat disappointing was the property was pretty flat -- but that was the back half of the property around the house. The front half of the property was virtually covered with brush, vines, junk trees and invasive species.  It has only been in the last few months (3 years later) that we have begun to uncover some large lava features.

Amphitheater sweeps back and around in half-circle. 

On opposite side of the driveway -- continued lava flow.

So, as described in yesterday's blog, here are preliminary photos -- of what we have uncovered so far.  We are still clearing away debris and sculpting lava of course, but there is a spiral stairway that leads up to the top of the lava outcrop, beds along both the "wall" side, and the "stairway" side. As you come around the feature, the terrain loops back into a large sloped amphitheater.  Talk about an exciting 3D palate of raw material!!

 

Pahoa Lava Update

Our house is 2 miles off the lower right corner of this map

Much of the national news these days is focused on other world-related matters, so the lava flow on a tiny island in the middle of the Pacific has not received a lot of coverage lately.  For a few weeks, activity seemed to be slowing, but most recently it has picked up. 


If you want to see it from a helicopter, you can view this short but dramatic video from Big Island Video News: -  /Short Good Lava Video


 While we are relived that lava appears to be going around Pahoa Village to the north, it is only a few hundred yards from Hwy. 130 and is headed toward the Puna Police and Fire stations.  Emergency vehicles (both fire and ambulance) have already been dispatched to the "south side" of the flow and are positioned to provide on-going services to the residents "below" the flow.

This is all pretty exciting for us because we have Humboldt County guests arriving in just a few days.  They may well be coming in on Highway 130, but with lava so close to highway, they may be leaving via the alternative of RR Avenue.     

Lava Comes to Pahoa for Christmas

Sean King, who is a fabulous local photographer, captured this amazing from-the-source photo.  Lava is now flowing toward the Pahoa Marketplace in Pahoa Village, from the back side.  This is the home of  our local Malama Market that, along with many other small local businesses, are evacuating right now.

Lava follows the path of least resistance and as the 12/18 map from USGS shows, the lava has split into two fronts. The upper branch is the one directly behind Malama Market now.  While the lower branch has stalled temporarily, if/when it begins to flow again, it will threaten the very heart of Pahoa Village.

Right now, we are thankful we have had time to prepare as the holidays are just a few days away, and no one know what may be happening next. Looks like we will be getting something black and lumpy in our stockings this year.  :-(