Fissure 8 - Official Hawaiian Naming

We are happy to report that Fissue 8 (that opened in our front property) has now received its official Hawaiian name. Ahu 'Aila'au. This has been a long process since May of 2018 when lava first broke out in Leilani Estates in the Puna District of the Big Island of Hawaii. Names were considered from the public including input from long-time residents, elders and kupuna many of whom could trace their family (ohana) lineage back many generations. AHU means shrine/mound/altar/cairn. 'AILA'AU eater of forests.

In the summer of 2019 Hilo's Wailoa Gallery had a powerful exhibition featuring artists work inspired by the lava flow. While some people were talking about Pele, as an artist, Phil felt more connected to the legendary, former resident of Kilauea -- a personage named 'Aila'au....the forest eater. At that time he entered his artistic interpretation which was recently purchased by a neighbor.

The above photos show where our home was in relation to the remaining cone of cinder and lava. The photo below simply provides another perspective of size. 

If you are interested you can listen to some testimony explaining the Hawaiian name:  Ai La'au 'Olelo (Naming Story)

Giving Thanks (over and over)

Photo taken by our friend Marcus (with photoshop adaptations)

"Once Upon A Time" TWO YEARS AGO the 2018 Kilauea eruption in Puna on the Big Island found us homeless and filing what we thought might well be a useless lawsuit against Lloyd s of London. However, two years ago, just a few days before Thanksgiving we had (through amazing circumstances) both a home and a check with which to begin our lives over. There's ample reason for giving thanks...and here are just a few more.

Phil is continuing to discover new techniques with his wood carving and painting and here's his latest piece entitled "Good Omen" -- maybe an unconscious prayer given the current situation of our world.

The bird featured in the carving is a Koa 'E'kea -- common name is Tropicbird (yes, spelled that way.)

Other images are a new group of fledgling doves who are permanent residents in our yard -- along with numerous other native and endemic species (watch for new blog about them.)

An unexpected bunch of buds on our Marc Chagall rose and a BIG surprise -- three pineapples we never expected to produce. We'd had several dozen coveted "white" pineapples on our previous property -- we'll have to wait and see if they mature -- through the upcoming cooler winter here in Volcano town.

I am continuing to be frustrated with this format --

which doesn't allow for customary maneuvering of photos.

Wishing everyone a safe, thankful Thanksgiving --

we are "together" despite the circumstances. ALOHA

20-20 Vision for 2020

In 2011, when we first discussed retiring in Hawaii on the Big Island, we knew it would be a life changing event - we just didn't know in what ways. We knew about lava, knew the islands were created by lava, knew about the stories, mythology and the geological history of lava and its destructive and creative power.

Close-up of olivine

We even interview many locals about their experiences and thoughts about potential eruptions in the Puna District; the most consistent comment was "not in my lifetime." Our decisions were further fortified by events from previous lava eruptions when elected officials, real estate agents and insurance agents claimed that "lava loss would fall under the category of "fire" and therefore covered by insurance." Live and learn, right?!

As we have shared before, while in a coma and prior to the fire that destroyed our home (before it was covered by lava) Lunel had two vision/dreams the hospital. In each she found diamonds at the leading edges of lava flows. In some way that subtle message from her unconscious awareness continued to help us focus on the "gems" we have found through this past two years. This blog is about GEMS!!

Lunel's birthstone is PERIDOT pictured above. What we didn't realize until the eruption was that lava contains OLIVINE (a lower grade of peridot) which is brought to the surface in lava! and is also found in metorites!

Beautiful lava formations we uncovered (previous home)

Lava with olivine

One of the many things we enjoyed about our previous home in Leilani Estates was the beautiful lava formations, many of them we uncovered from overgrown jungle and invasive vines and plants. Moving into our new home in Volcano, no such formations were visible -- that is until Lunel began to excavate and remove soil!

Lava that Lunel uncovered as a 'feature' in our yard

Under several inches of top-soil, she found and meticulously uncovered lava forms of pahoehoe. Of course, since the whole island was formed from lava, it is not surprising, but we wanted to re-connect with that power. Here's a photo of one of the large areas she resurrected and turned into a lovely fire-pit gathering area in our yard.

Wheelbarrows of dirt removed to uncover lava

Lava "blister" (with olivine) we found

During the work, we found some formations we had not seen before filled with olivine, and a "blister" also pictured.

Neither of us are "Polyanas" but we both know that how we look at life is a strong determiner of how we experience life. For this coming new year of 2020 -- we want our "vision" to be 20-20 as we continue to focus on the "gems" that life has blessed us with.

Winter Solstice

"Na Anela" by Dietric Varez 2002

We're keeping it simple this year for the holidays. 20 months later from the life-changing events of Kilauea's lava eruption that altered the lives of so many Puna residents and those we love in Leilani Estates, frankly we are still recovering. 2018 was a hard year, and 2019 was spent accomplishing a lot of necessary and beautiful construction of our new home. We have no particular plans for 2020 other than to limit the news we consume and focus on our respective artistic endeavors.

As both our interests include history, cultural anthropology and archaeology our reflections at this time of year include the ideas embraced by many world cultures long before the birth of Jesus. If you are interested in learning more about SOLSTICE -- here's a link to a short article:  ABOUT SOLSTICE

We're not sending out cards or even a year-end email; we figured that anyone interested in our lives would take an occasional peek at our blog which has been up-and-running for over seven years now. Here is our "card" -- a lovely art piece by Dietric Varez, a local Volcano, Hawaii artist who died on Lunel's birthday last year. (Na Anela is the next street north from ours, and means the angels). Take care, enjoy life, and may the angels be with you!

Haysmers' Holiday Preparations

Last year at this time we were hoping to move into our new home before the holidays, but it didn't work out that way.

Fast forward one year later with escrow closed, we have the joy this year of holiday preparations in our own home.

Realizing all of our treasured Christmas ornaments were part of Pele's collection after the volcanic event last year in Puna, we were happy to receive many ornaments from friends -- plus a few from after holiday sales.

Treats?  Presents?  Cookies? Stockings?  -- WE ARE READY

Last week, we discovered there was a tree farm just down the highway and today, we got to set it up and decorate it.

No, Phil, not
that kind of "skirt!"

At our house blessing last month, attendees brought a variety of gifts including amaryllis, and a very special antique hand-made Persian Bakhtiari rug. The word Bakhtiari is the name of the town where the rug was made. The word Bakhtiari is a combination of two small Iranian words: Bakht (luck) and Yar (companion.)

POKO, LANI, AND TUDOR were most curious about the process and wanted to know where their "stockings" were.

Spring Into Spring

Today, standing near where our home was

This week celestial events gave us the drama of a SUPER MOON and the first day of SPRING. Also this week we were invited to do a TV interview about the devastating experience of losing our home last year, the trauma of evacuation, the anxiety of dealing with the insurance claim, the stress of living in four places in less than nine months, and our focus on recovery and starting over -- from scratch.

Given this conjunction of events, we decided to mark our "spring" as a personal "new beginning" by visiting Fissure #8, now a prominent and permanent 200 foot landmark in Leilani Estates.. Of the many lessons we have learned throughout this past year perhaps the most important is to look fear directly in the face, or as Pema Chodron reminds us -- to invite in what scares us.

Lunel placing our offering

Art by Jessica Taruni
Originally created for The Volcano Inn 1999

Standing at the base of the cone, we offered ho'okupu (offering) with a flower lei Lunel had made with orchids from our home. She sang an oli (chant) of gratitude for all we have learned and received. It was our first time visiting the place where our home stood, but we both felt ready.

After the loss of our home, many people asked whether we were going to leave Hawaii -- but honestly that thought never occurred to us as we both feel deeply connected to the 'aina - a Hawaiian word that means not only "the land" itself, but a relationship with the whole island-environment, itself a symbol of destruction and creation. Recently we even bought a beautiful, large stained glass window to place in our new home.

Please listen to this talk by Auntie Pua. It is short but packed with power -- about the changing of seasons, a celebration of the SUN, and our place in this world of reciprocal cycles.

 Auntie Pua --

 The Intense Breath of  the Sun

SLOW DOWN

OUCH!

This past year we didn't just slow down, we came to an abrupt and rude STOP! For eight months, we lived in two temporary situations for which we remain grateful. Our attorneys Attorney won a case against Lloyd's of London and we got a settlement. And, a lot of other home owners got paid too! Luckily we found a lovely furnished lease to own rental Volcano town.More about Volcano Town

Then, on the last day of our move-in the stairs and Lunel's left knee got into a disagreement with the stairs, at the end of which she was unable to walk at all (torn meniscus being the likely result.) The next day neighbors converged with crutches, walker and a wheelchair!!  What an odd way to meet neighbors, but again, we were grateful they ambled up the driveway to meet us.

After such a traumatic 2018, we're excited to begin necessary improvements on our new home:  Phil needs a wood working shop so temporary plans are to enclose the carport where he can continue to make sawdust and keep his three galleries supplied with his popular Hawaiian reef fish made from koa wood. See Phil's ART

Lunel is at home in her hammock

It is all connected!

Lunel is due to begin physical therapy soon but for her this "slow down" runs against the grain -- she's is a hard person to follow that advice when there is a new undeveloped yard begging to be beautified -- flower beds to be created, and a greenhouse to be built!

For a distraction we took a short ride to Volcano National Park. (Despite the stupidity of a government shut down by this president, parts of the park are still open and accessible to visitors.)  Learn more about Volcano National Park

Visiting helped us make the emotional connection between the lava that WAS in Kilauea and the lava chamber below and where that lava actually came out -- down in lower Puna -- with Fissure 8 being across our front yard.

A wise friend sent us a quote last year Lunel incorporated into her art journal. Now we both just have to follow that good advice! (especially at 70 and 77)

"Who goes slowly, goes safely and goes far."

'Apapane -- Good Luck Bird

Healthy trees with blossoms 2013

When we moved to the Puna District on the Big Island of Hawaii, friends had given us a "Birds of Hawaii" book that we used to identify the birds who were living in Leilani Estates subdivision. While still getting acquainted with our new home and property that first week, we found a small dead bird on the ground, which, with the help of our guide book, we identified as an 'Apapane.

Although our property was filled with vibrant beautiful Ohia trees, during only our second year many of our trees began to die from what is known as Rapid Ohia Death ROD. By the end of our second year, 70 % of our trees had died causing many of the native, local bird species to migrate elsewhere. (Nectar from the Ohia trees being the primary food source for them.)

Well-known photographer Jack Jeffery, took the above  photo, and this link will introduce you to Jack and his passion for taking amazing bird photographs.  8-minute video about Jack's passion

While living in Eureka (Humboldt County CA) Lunel developed a special collection of bird wings that she hung from the ceiling or in windows -- including egret, heron, hawk and other smaller ubiquitous species.

Dead Ohia a year later

Marian Berger, Artist

Eventually, she developed a simple taxidermy technique to preserve smaller dead birds she had found by using the "warm" setting on the toaster oven which basically dried out their innards. So, the little 'Apapane bird we found in 2012 floated in our kitchen window, wings spread as if in flight, for over 5 years. Oddly, we always felt it was a good luck symbol.

The other day, after leaving a walk-through of our new rental house in Volcano, we were both amazed to find,another 'Apapane on the ground by our parked car. We didn't have the inclination to attempt a repeat process this time around, but gently moved the little dead bird into the nearby ferns.

To hear one of the 'Apapane's songs follow this link:  Apapane Song

12-12 HO HO HO!

What's in the PINK BOX??

In December of 2012, when we bought our one-way tickets to The Big Island, we thought it would be cool to arrive at our new home on 12-12-12! We arrived just as it was getting darK. For some reason, NONE of the keys we were given opened the front or side or back doors!!  Lunel actually had to crawl in the bathroom window to open the house!  We just figured that it might be the first of many tests (we were warned) that Pele might offer to see if we really had what it takes to live here and join the "Punatics' Clan"** We survived Hurricane Iselle and the lava of 2014. Now, after losing literally everything we sure hope we FINALLY past all her tests!!   Welina Tu-Tu Pele!

CK's "Little Pink" --W&J's  Hale Akala 

While the year may be different, this week is a RADICAL12/12 too! We signed our insurance check from Lloyds' AND all the processes involved were completed today on our new fully furnished rental home in Volcano!  If you read our Nov 22 blog entry, we gave you a sort-of hint -- it was in the PINK box in the photo.)
And here's the rest of the story.

Once Upon A Time...

Cozy living room with fireplace

...we had NO IDEA how our lawsuit against Lloyds' of London would turn out when we signed on with our amazing attorneys, but we felt we had nothing to loose, and we couldn't stay in 400 sf studio with three corgi dogs for a year while we waited it out.  So, we began to think about renting a furnished home here in Volcano to see if this is where we'd might eventually like to live. Then, the day before Thanksgiving, imagine our surprise when our attorney called --Lloyds' was honoring our claim IN FULL!!

While it is sufficient to buy a house, we immediately realized that neither of us is ready to do that -- emotionally or psychologically, and we really did fall in love with this very cute, fully furnished two bedroom house. (Even the idea of buying furnishings for a whole empty house right now would be too much.)

In the middle of an Ohia forest
(Mauna Kea in back)

We have enjoyed it here in Volcano at 3500 ft elevation, more than we expected, particularly as there are lots of retirees here and even more artists. When we got here in August and the months that followed, I was delighted to spend hours a day beautifying the already stunning gardens -- even this last week. Yes, it's chilly in the winter, but ta DAH - we have a fireplace!

One of the two bedrooms

So, here's a few of photos of our new place. It is in "Ohia Estates" a very tiny (two street) subdivision on a street named Nahelenani (beautiful forest)...and so it is. Two thirds of an acre surrounded by ohia trees. Even though you can't see it, there's lots of room in the back yard area. Phil is drawing up plans for a wood shop (with the owners OK) and Lunel will have a greenhouse!

We got bananas! and soon a greenhouse.

We have met the sellers who have been very kind and helpful and we already know several neighbors and have even been included in holiday festivities! We could hardly wish for a better closing of this most peculiar year, moving in on 29th and 30th -- Happy New Year to us!
We wish everyone a particularly wonderful holiday season.

(PS Remember that our address book with birthdays and such is gone....it may take a while to reconstruct all that information.)

** We are STILL "Punatics" because the district of PUNA extends all they way up here to Volcano.

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)

On Off On Off On Off

We have long known that everything is "on loan" and that nothing is permanent, and just when you think you can count on something -- things shift and/or shit happens. The last three months have proven those axioms to be 100% true.

• ON -First you THINK you have house insurance, including fire and OFF - find out you don't

• ON - You THINK you've planned out your retirement pretty well, then - OFF - your house burns down.

• ON - You THINK you have access to FEMA but find out - OFF -you don't --- because you have not received a denial from your insurance company which then takes 60 days and the cost of an attorney just to find out you are denied -- after 80 days of the loss of your home and 60 days after you filed with insurance

• ON - you THINK you might be able to apply for SBA loan - OFF - but because your income level is low, you don't because you can't replay the loan.

• ON - You THINK you can apply for Food Stamps -- and finally do, but OFF - it takes 2 months to process because you "have insurance" but have not received a denial.

• ON - YOU finally find out that FEMA has offered you grant money OFF -  but you then get a DENIAL for any assistance with housing. 

• Then, a week later, ON (again) you do have rental assistance but OFF -  finding a small partially furnished rental is nearly impossible because no one wants three adorable corgi dogs

• ON - We have been so lucky to find a temporary place for three months with gracious folks and,  OFF -- it is really time to take the "next step."

• ON - You THINK you've lined up back-up and then find out NOPE, OFF -  that just fell through too.

We expect that life offers a lot of "not knows" -- but it has been unnecessary compounded by waiting over 60 days to even receive an answer from our (supposedly biggest and best) insurance company in the world -- who somehow manages to insure rocket ships, football players, space stations and Kim Cardiashian's butt.

If this ain't a lesson for a couple of Punatics who are used to going with the flow -- don't know what is. We will adjust, adapt and press on looking for the next "diamond" opportunity; that's what we do. And, we are not alone in this predicament -- there are others -- many others. If you happen to know if a rental (partially furnished would help) with a fenced yard for really outstanding corgi dogs, and a shop for Phil to earn some money from his wood art (selling at One Gallery in Hilo) please give us full contact information. (We cannot reply to "comments" leave email or phone)  MAHALO

Disturbing Incident

(revision of post) Well, dear readers, as if losing our retirement home is not bad enough, we have discovered that photos of our property are being used in a variety of ways. While some may be innocent, generally demonstrating the on-going catastrophe, some are being used on Go-Fund-Me accounts to get money even while their houses are still standing.

We DO understand that nearly everyone in our beautiful subdivision is suffering those whose homes are gone as well as those who have had to evacuate and their lovely homes that are still standing. As we said, some uses of this photo are not done with deliberate intention to defraud.

However, for us, personally, it is very disturbing to find photos of what was our house being used in this way. The photo was taken from our neighbor's driveway across the street on LUANA street -- adjacent to Fissure #8. That is our front driveway, our gate, our palms -- our complete loss; I was in a coma in ICU at the hospital at the time of the emergency evacuation and Phil had less than an hour to so our loss is total -- except for computer and dogs.

On the one hand is this unbelievable loss and on the other hand, the generosity of both friends and strangers. We are deeply appreciated the donations we have received on a Go-Fund-Me account that was set up FOR us by friends in Humboldt County (where we lived for 22 years). We also are grateful for the beautiful family in Kea'au who have taken us and our three corgi dogs in until we can find our way to a new life in an uncertain future.

We have been treated only with compassion and kindness by the Red Cross, FEMA volunteers, and SBA as well as other neighbors. We wish only the best outcome for everyone during this distressing time. We only ask that people be honest about their losses and their OWN situation. 

Another WISH for us is that we have  been waiting for over six weeks now to hear about our insurance coverage, and it is only contributing to our anxiety and depression not to KNOW about our coverage. We are going to write letters to the governor, states representatives, and congress people as well as our local district supervisors -- anyone who can apply pressure to help us get some answers.

In the meantime, Peace, Phil and Lunel

"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

Dirty Thunderstorms and VOG

This is the color of the air we are breathing today!

Adding insult to injury! As if a volcanic eruption destroying your home and neighborhood, leaving people homeless, isn't enough, now we are experiencing more new phenomena -- at least for the Puna District on the Big Island of Hawaii.


VOG  -- Vog is a hazy mixture of sulfur dioxide gas (SO2) and particles (PM2.5) originating from Kīlauea Volcano. Sensitivity to vog varies, so individuals need to protect themselves as necessary. People with pre-existing medical conditions are expected to be at highest risk for health effects, depending on the amount of emissions, distance away from the vent, and wind direction from day to day.  Learn more about protecting yourself here:  Click to learn about VOG

Example of what it looks like (not local) but what we been experiencing this morning (photo obviously was taken at night)

DIRTY THUNDERSTORMS --Some sources are referring to today's weather as Dirty Thunderstorms. I read that Dirty thunderstorms earn their name from the ash, rock fragments, and other ejecta which collide during a volcanic eruption and generate static electricity within the plume. or that it can be caused by ash and ice particles colliding with volcano plume, creating static charges. Interestingly, the lightening isn't coming from the sky, but instead, generated in the ash cloud coming from the fissure 8. The process is called Charge Separation.

TODAY:  This is a Civil Defense message for Monday, July 2, 2018 at 1:00 in the afternoon. State of Hawaii Department of Health reports Elevated Gas Levels due to the ongoing eruptions and current weather in the lower East Rift and Pahoa area.  The National Weather Service forecast that light winds are causing Sulphur dioxide to fill in the area.  Northeast tradewinds will build in later today and push winds to the southwest through the rest of the week and improve air quality.

New HVO Video explains some unique weather patterns : New July 2 HVO Video

A New Nest

Yesterday we marked 32 years together, and considering the rather grim previous post, we just wanted to update our blog with something special and positive. Phil took my hand and told me that he had sometime to show me, so we walked out of our cozy small apartment onto the lawn along a row of palms. 

He pointed to a fallen palm frond and there was a bird nest. With all our jewelry -- Phil's dad's ring, my grandma's engagement ring -- our wedding rings to mark mark our 32nd anniversary all buried now under lava, it is especially lovely to find this symbolic gift. Now, together we will find a way to build ourselves a new nest.

Right now we are floating in a sea of ambiguity -- health, housing, insurance, trying to see the way through to a new reality. We have filed our insurance claim, and for now that is all we can do. After 32 years of creativity and problem solving -- some of the answers will just have to come in time. Thanks for your love, prayers and support.