Madame Pele 2

The lava is less than 500 feet from our beloved town of Pahoa.  The national media has descended to record this moment in history.  Our little village is now world famous. With each media outfit scrambling to get a great "scoop", there is a tendency towards sensationalizing an already exciting event.  The world is getting a different view than we who are closer to the source.  Friends and family have panicked after seeing closeups of burning, bubbling hot lava on national television, imagining lava rivers fast approaching our home, when in reality, the type of lava flow we are experiencing is a slow process.  Even though our home is 8 miles away from Pahoa, our lives will be affected profoundly when the lava crosses the highway.  We’re still not sure which of our 2 grocery stores will remain open or if we will be able to easily access any of these stores without taking lengthy detours.   The lava will be the dividing force.  New districts will be formed by Pele.  Some of my daughter’s friends are already transferring schools, moving in with friends and relatives in order to be closer to these schools. 

I’ve never been more in awe of nature than these last few months.  I’ve learned that even with careful preparation strategies, an act of nature cannot be prevented.  There is a man in Pahoa who has erected a barrier in the form of a berm of dirt to divert the lava.  We shall see in the next days and weeks what becomes as a result of that.  In doing so, he may have alienated his neighbors, who may be adversely affected as a direct result of the lava being diverted.

I’ve learned the true meaning of “go with the flow”.  We are trying to live up to this motto and not be frantic and stressed (like I have been on a few days very recently).  When people ask, “What are you going to do”,  I say “We’ll just have to wait and see”.  

 My daughter’s school, the Hawaii Academy of Arts and Sciences (HAAS) has been contingency planning for over a month.  The school is being divided into north and south campuses, the locations as yet undecided.  We’re hoping it will be smooth transition if and when it becomes necessary.   
A group of students, with two dedicated teacher advisors, have created a website and a Facebook page called Hope for HAAS. These kids, who have grown up using social media to communicate with each other, are now using it as a tool to shout out to the world about their school possibly being destroyed by lava.  The Facebook page, with 3,713 followers to date, has generated the recognition of media organizations all over the world. They have been interviewed on NBC's Hawaii News Now, CNN, have been written about in TIME Magazine and were interviewed on Radio Australia.  It has been very exciting to watch all of this evolve.  It has taken away some of the kids'  fear of the changes Pele may bring about for them personally, while empowering and strengthening their ties to their school. The Hope for HAAS group has shown the world and hopefully the Hawaii Department of Education, that public charter schools are worth funding. Currently charter schools are underfunded, receiving about half the amount per child enrolled compared with what public schools receive.    
The Hope for HAAS student group has made the best of a difficult situation, a valuable life lesson to learn at any age.  

by Jill Steele

*photos courtesy of USGS.gov and Hope for HAAS

Kapoho Community Sustainability Meeting

Yesterday we met to discuss the future of Kapoho as a community.  The meeting was positive and full of hope for a sustainable lower Puna.  

    Sustainability is one of those words that is used so much lately it is losing its power-until you think of what it really means.  Sustainability, as defined by the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) is “based on a simple principle: Everything that we need for our survival and well-being depends, either directly or indirectly, on our natural environment. Sustainability creates and maintains the conditions under which humans and nature can exist in productive harmony, that permit fulfilling the social, economic and other requirements of present and future generations.  Sustainability is important to making sure that we have and will continue to have, the water, materials, and resources to protect human health and our environment.”  

     About 50 people attended the meeting, held at Green Lake and listened to Smiley Burrows, Margarita “Dayday” Hopkins and Graham Ellis speak encouragingly about what could be the future of Lower Puna.   

Green Lake, currently the home of the Friday Fruit Market will become much more to the residents of Kapoho and the surrounding area.  The USDA has approved the land for a commercial cow and dairy venture.  Burrows said, “We all have to think about what we do best and that is what we need to provide to the community. We’re really going to have to come together deeper than ever.”  She asked the audience to communicate their needs as far as food and vegetables because she wants the community to participate in the process. Establishing a food co-op was mentioned by residents to bring in items that cannot be produced in the area.  

Graham Ellis, a community development pioneer for over 30 years, is the chairman of Hawaii Sustainable Community Alliance as well as Hawaii's Volcano Circus and the founder of Bellyacres Eco-village.  He has been working with various groups along the red road trying to figure out solutions for the longterm.  “If we are going to get help from the government, we’re more likely to get it if we’re united, not as separate groups.”  He said that Kalani Retreat is opening a food store that will stock items as well as take co-op style orders for bulk items.

Margarita “Dayday” Hopkins, an employee of the County Department of Research and Development for  24 years,  spoke about the necessity to build a community in Kapoho to suit our needs.  She said, “ It is high time to start planning (before the lava flow crosses the highway).  You will be the ones to show the world what sustainability is.”  She advised the group to look at developing countries for examples of where to start.  

The next step for the Kapoho community will be to organize committees for various agricultural projects.  All of us who have been living in this remote part of Puna have had to travel long distances weekly just to feed ourselves and provide for our basic needs.  

This first meeting determined that we all have a willingness to stay in lower Puna. We have pledged to support each other and the new businesses that may grow as a result of Pele’s latest eruption, so that we can evolve as a sustainable community.

by Jill Steele

Madame Pele

Dark volcanic smoke plume from lava behind Pahoa town.

First a hurricane and now weeks later, we are preparing for a lava flow.
We live on the island of Hawaii, the only island with an active volcano.  We moved here 21 years ago.  Back then our good friend Peggy Forgues, the "turtle lady" of Kapoho would tell us stories of the 1960 eruption and lava flow which destroyed the village of Kapoho, but miraculously stopped short of destroying the lighthouse at Cape Kumukahi.  The stories seemed to us like folklore.  Surely there wouldn't be an eruption and flow that would disrupt our lives. We were young and optimistic.  We bought our home in Kapoho without looking back.  We have loved our lives here in rural Hawaii.  Quiet, perfect, peaceful days spent by the ocean with no need to get into the car.  Just nature.

    Now, just a short time after Hurricane Iselle and its aftermath, another potential devastation approaches.  We residents of the Puna district are waiting and watching the approaching lava.   It is almost always on our minds.   We are checking in with friends here and on the mainland and checking our Facebook pages for new posts from various lava preparedness group pages we have joined.  

        Breakouts have occurred along the leading edge of the flow.
photo by Bruce Omori

Puna has come together as a  real time and virtual community as never before.   There are so many details to consider (i.e. food,  alternate housing, schools, jobs,  transportation,  health care, electricity, gas, propane, phones and internet) and it feels good to have the support of these groups if only for the advice and sympathy we share.
There are weekly informational meetings held in the local high school cafeteria by government agencies.  Local politicians, such as Mayor Billy Kenoi and Pahoa Councilman, Greggor Ilagan are usually present to answer questions.  At one recent meeting Mr. Ilagan took the time to introduce me to someone that could help me with starting a food co-op in my community.   
    Announcements on the lava's progress are broadcasted daily by the Hawaii County Civil defense, 

Packed informational lava meeting at the Pahoa H.S. cafeteria.

who fly over the lava flow in helicopters.  When the lava crosses the highway, lower Puna will be isolated from Hilo, an island into itself.   The local government is scrambling to provide infrastructure  in the form of 2 one lane dirt roads to take the place of our mostly 2 lane paved highway that connects us to Hilo town.
We wake each morning wondering how far the lava will advance and what path it will take.  We are told that it is as wide as a football field.  
The lava is projected, as it looks now, to flow through our beloved town of Pahoa.  
      The town was originally built to support  the early industries of sugar cane (Olaa Sugar Company) and lumber (Pahoa Lumber Company).  In its current incarnation, Pahoa is the home of many interesting boutiques and some of the best restaurants on the entire island.  It has retained its character through the preservation of its original wooden boardwalk sidewalks.  
Tiffany Edwards Hunt, who's family owns Jeff Hunt Surfboards in Pahoa, and who is running for City Council in our upcoming election, posted on Facebook recently, asking residents to come out and support local merchants and celebrate our town, while it is still alive.
You can see this happening, even a few weeks later.  On a recent Tuesday night driving through Pahoa, the normally quiet town was bustling, with packed restaurants and cars parked up and down the street.  There was electricity in the air.  

Sunset view of lava plume from Pahoa skatepark.
photo by Smiley Burrows

       Two Pahoa schools  (the Montessori Country School and the Kamehameha Preschool) have already closed their doors and two more (Pahoa High School and HAAS) will follow when the lava gets closer and the air quality becomes dangerous.   The students of these sc hools will most likely be bused to Kea’au High School, traditionally a rival of Pahoa High School.  The much beloved Montessori School has closed after 31 years of service last month due to low enrollment. Many parents withdrew their children in anticipation of the lava crossing and blocking the highway.  Many of the children we know started their education at Montessori.  We've cheered the school each year at our local Pahoa Holiday Parades.  It is unthinkable that there might not be a parade this year.

      My daughter's school HAAS (Hawaii Academy of Arts and Sciences Public Charter School) is potentially in the lava's path, if the flow continues along the same direction.  The students have started a website, Hope For HAAS to raise funds to rebuild the campus if the school is destroyed. 

      As of now we "Punatics" have accepted that the lava may come and our lives may change. We are continually building up our stock of emergency groceries and other staples. We cannot really know what it will be like and what choices we will make but we can appreciate the "now" (which is what we who do yoga are always trying to achieve), enjoy our special town and the ease of our lives.  

Big Island Hurricane Diary, Hurricane Iselle

Hurricane Iselle made landfall in Kapoho on the Big Island of Hawaii on August 7.   My daughter and I were scheduled to return from the mainland the night of the hurricane.  It took until 5 days later for us to fly home because a second storm, Julio, was forecasted to strike a few days after Iselle.  Also, the roads to the airport were blocked for a few days after the storm.  Fallen trees made many areas impassable. Live power lines dangled from the power poles.  We returned to find devastation all around us.  My husband said the night of the storm was one of the scariest of his life.  The wind was blowing so hard that large trees were snapping.  He heard a crash and then an explosion, and looked out to see the huge autograph tree from across the street had fallen and landed just six feet away from our house and truck, blocking our driveway.  He realized he wouldn’t be able to evacuate even if he wanted to.

The day after Iselle he spent helping neighbors clear the roads of our community.  Our normally politically divided neighborhood has much more aloha than usual this past week.  This crisis has broken down social barriers.

Here’s what I’ve noticed since I’ve been home.  Because we have no electricity, we have simplified our lives.  We are eating simpler, healthier food made with fewer ingredients because we’re cooking with a propane stove and a limited supply of propane. Our routines have changed and hours seem longer (in a good way) without the noise of the television and the hum of electricity. My thoughts are clearer.  I’m starting to understand why people go to monasteries seeking clarity in their lives. A disaster brings people out in the open to seek help, to offer help and seek new information.  Strangers have been talking to me in the grocery store parking lot.

Huge autograph tree that just missed the house and truck.

I have an internet flower business specializing in shipping tropical flowers and leis from Hawaii to the U. S. mainland states.  Currently I'm conducting business in the back of my friend’s classroom.  I process orders, screen phone calls and answer correspondence.  When I need to take a call I go out to the parking lot.  Sometimes my friend calls on me as if I was one of the students, to answer a question or two.  I saw one of my new young “friends” in the library the other day.

Today I went over to the Pahoa Community Center, which was serving as a refuge for those left homeless by Iselle.  Many agencies, such as the Red Cross and Catholic Charities had tables set up to help those with questions about aid.    There was a line that wrapped around the building when I first walked up.  I asked a few people what they were waiting for.  Those near the front of the line told me there were 40 generators being given away.  Those near the rear of the line said there were 400 generators being given away.  I got in line anyhow because I thought it was the line for the DARC relief organizations.  After waiting about 10 minutes, I asked a friend to hold my place in line while I went to find out more information.  The policeman at the front said there were no generators being given away.  I said,”What are you doing here then?”  He said there  was nothing being given away.”I’m just here to keep the peace.”  In the community room  there were representatives of many relief organizations , such as Catholic Charities and the Red Cross.  

Sat., August 16

Now we have a generator. We ordered it on Amazon and it actually came the next day as advertised.  It is powering our refrigerator and charging our cell phones and computers.  We intermittently keep it on, 3 hours on and off.  We are grateful to have it but it grates on our nerves terribly.  The noise overwhelms me and makes it hard to think clearly.  We still find ourselves looking for ice each day because we need it as backup for the hours the generator is off.  

Today we went through the motions of a normal pre-hurricane Saturday, which is easy because we are in Hilo, which seems untouched by the storm.  It is incredible to think that what has affected our lives so profoundly left Hilo, just 35 miles away, unscathed.

Sunday, August 17

Got out of bed around 8 and did a loop on my bike around the neighborhood, noisy with the hum of generators already.  I made coffee and asked my husband to please not turn the generator until after breakfast  Our daughter went with friends to Hilo , where there is internet, to do her homework.  The kids of this generation need the internet to to complete their assignments, such as vocabulary and essays.   The storm has forced teenagers out of their houses , so they can access social media whilst socializing.  

Yard cleaned up and back to business.

While my husband looked for ice in Pahoa, I worked in the garden to get it ready for planting .  While gardening, I heard a shout at my gate.  The Kona Ice Company was cruising our neighborhood, giving away ice to all the residents.  They had driven all the way from Kona with 3 trucks filled with coolers with ice on a Sunday.  I took one bag in case my husband came back empty-handed.  He arrived 20 minutes later with 2 bags of ice, farm fresh vegetables and a cool camping lantern given to him by the volunteers at the Leilani community center.  It is so impressive that the hurricane relief is so organized and that local businesses are involved in helping those affected by the storm with ice, food, blankets and tarps.  We are most thankful to those organizations that have come right to the source, delivering supplies and ice to our community instead of having to drive around searching for them. It has helped us achieve a degree of normalcy without having to plan our day around the procuring ice.

Wed., Aug. 20

After a long morning at the “office/classroom” I drove to an orchid farm I do business with in Kapoho to finalize an order since they were doing business without the benefits of a phone, fax or internet.  When I arrived, the office manager pointed up at the lights which were on!  She said they had come on without warning a half an hour earlier.   I dared to hope our neighborhood was also on power again.  I bypassed the ice pickup I had planned.  When I returned home and saw the smile on my husband’s face, I knew right away that there would be a hot shower that evening.  There was only one thing missing, phone service.  I realized that everyone else on my street had phone service returned and didn’t understand until my husband showed me the phone line dangling from the pole out in front of the house.  Eventually Hawaiian Telecom will make the repair, but until then I am happy to manage (using the internet at our helpful neighbors house to do business), since I have become very good at managing with much less.

A Hawaiian Graduation

We went to our first Hawaiian Graduation last week.  There was pomp and ceremony for sure, the difference being, there was also hula and slack key guitar.  After the ceremony, the celebration began with the grads, relatives and friends crowding the floor giving and receiving leis.  Colorful balloons floated above and families waved life-sized pictures of their graduates.  The leis were piled on and some had leis up to the tops of their heads.  My son is unlikely to forget his high school graduation.  As for me, what I remember most about mine is standing in the hot California sun waiting for the ceremony to begin.