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.

Marching into March

YELLOW is rainfall for 2016 - so far

This blog entry is a little potpourri of the last week or so.  Although it is hard to imagine Hawaii having a drought, it is true -- and we are feeling it here in Puna on the Big Island! Just look at this rain chart and you will see how badly we need rain -- just like our friends back on the mainland.  Last year's January and February were both dry, but this year has been even worst.


Sunday we attended a presentation by our local Lelani Hula Halau which has been offering classes here in Leilani for many years under the guidance of their kumu (teacher) who was able to come and see them on Sunday.

Here is a lovely photo of them gathered just after the performance. They were accompanied by PUKA (Puna 'Ukulele & Kanikapila Association.) Kanikapila is a style of Hawaiian music that is impromptu, like a jam session, that would typically take place at the beach or a family gathering.

PUKA at local Pahoa Parade

"But Mom, where's her tail?"

The annual Westminster Dog Show happened a few days ago too. Of course we all watched together as a family.  We feel the corgi dogs are often given the short end of the stick (no pun intended).  POKO (standing) had a crush on this year's entry -- a sweet little girl corgi named "Annie Oakley."

And finally, this week we uncovered yet ANOTHER buried vehicle -- this makes the third!  Early on we found one up near the front of the property -- a tire and part of a chassis.

Next we found disparate chunks of a classic old blue hippie van and used parts of it in yard art.  Now we have uncovered part of a yellow bus -- and while it may be the perfect pairing with the old van, we hope this represents that last of the vehicle archaeology!!