Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is located on the island of Hawaii near the town of Volcano (really). You probably know that there was a recent eruption here. The Kilauea volcano is now inactive with no lava flowing. The employees in the visitor's center said tourist companies promise visitors they will see lava. This is technically true as much of the island is covered by lava, but it is not in a molten state.

We lucked into a talkative fellow who lived in Volcano and explained a great deal to us as we walked along. He happened to be visiting the park and said that this was the first time his wife had been in the park since the eruption. I wish I had asked his name. Maybe he did introduce himself and I don't remember. I guess I involve myself in conversations without using names.

He said that he and his wife had frequently walked their dogs on the trail we were walking and said that the land beside the trail that was still spewing steam had been level with the trail before the eruption.

Here is a photo of the new caldera within the older caldera produced by the recent eruption. It is difficult to get close enough or high enough for a good photo. Many of the roads in the park are closed. I think this is because of damage to the roads preventing passage rather than danger from the volcano. 

We got talking about the damage caused by floods which we have experienced and the eruption and earthquakes associated with the volcano he had experienced. Unless you are located near the river, you can rebuild after a flood. There is no rebuilding when the lava pushes over your land. He started talking about a relative who great deal on a house because she was willing to purchase a home in a stage 4 lava zone. This reminded me of the different insurance rates for homes in different flood zones - 100 year, 500 year. It turns out that the town of Volcano was not impacted by lava, but many homes were damaged by the earthquakes. Our new friend explained that homes that sat on concrete slabs buckled and cracked. He said his home was positioned on wood blocks that gave in an earthquake resulting in no major damage. 

He had one more story - the legend of the Ohia tree. Pele, the volcano goddess was enthralled with a handsome warrior, Ohia. The warrior rejected Pele to be true to his love, Lehua. In anger, Pele turned Ohia into an ugly tree. Other gods more sympathetic to Ohia and upset with Pele then turned Lehua into a beautiful flower that appears on the Ohia tree. Together forever. I think I have this right. Anyway, I did photograph the flower.