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.

Wholly, Holey, Holy!

Items for Craig's List?   "Free to good home....7 left-hand gloves (in good condition)"   This has been a week of LAVA! What with converting the boring driveway "slope" to more attractive terraced beds and the further development of two stunning "lava features" recently excavated from layers of vine, invasive species and debris, I have managed to destroy 6-7 right hand gloves.

Landscaping projects are about as close to "church" as I get -- it is a true communion with nature and I consider it truly holy work.  But, as we wrapped up 5 days of further terra-forming I found myself scrounging for any single right hand glove that had no holes.  Alas, they are now wholly holey!!

Switching gears from working on the "slope" our young friend, neighbor, poet, philosopher and musician, Sam, Phil and I have been uncovering two beautiful lava features on the property.  Most of our blog followers have been aware of last year's "lava event" which stopped just short of dividing the Village of Pahoa in half -- for which we are very thankful.  However, the district of Puna on the Big Island is some of the newest land on the planet!!  The map here shows the various flows -- some of which went through our small subdivision in 1955 and before that in 1850's. So when we discovered a couple of lava outcroppings on the west side of our property, we were excited to see how we could feature them.

View from SW at top of lava outcropping -- view to NE

One flow came from the southwest, and flowed northeast -- and forms the small rise across our property.  When the property was first developed, the earth moving equipment had to cut through part of that flow.  This left a tall 15' escarpment on the right side of our driveway.  (This is not easy to explain and even the photographs don't help much.)  The photo on the right is taken from the TOP of the lava outcropping with our house shown "down" the slope.

We are now clearing away debris so that this beautiful formation can be featured.  Phil has already planted two redwood trees, Sam is helping to dig out invasive shrubs, trees and vines, and I am using broken lava to create curved beds around the lava hillside.  This same hill wraps around a few yards to the right, and then forms a beautiful concave amphitheater. (More photos to come.)