Pele Creates New Life
Pele’s home is nestled in the high elevations of Puna, in the volcanic realm we call Kīlauea. To the world, she is the most active volcano ever. Geologists have been recording her activity for decades. To us, here in Hawai’i, she is a living natural entity of mythic dimensions. And just as our ancestors before us, we have co-existed with this deity through all the many stages and transformations she has undertaken. Destruction, vog and devastation, but also new growth and new life. Currently, Pele has intensified her capacity producing a quiet force of molten lava within Halema’uma’u. Usually an unfilled fire pit, a fiery lake has been rising, brimming the rim that opens to its crater floor. Spectators who visit this Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park site and pay homage to Pele are captivated by her power.
Pele’s journey continues from mauka to makai (from the mountains to the sea) to the district of Kapoho, where her descent into the ocean realm of Kanaloa (Ocean deity), is creating new land. There’s been a flurry of visitors, kama’aina (local) and malihini (visitor) alike, who are drawn to Pele’s energy and have hiked miles to the edge of the cliffs to view this natural phenomena. If you do so, a word of caution: be aware of your surroundings. Sharpen your kilo skills. Travel smart means good shoes, sun protection and water, as well as an experienced guide–especially in unfamiliar territory. The best times to see Pele in her splendor are more dramatic after sunset at night or in the early twilight hours before sunrise. During the day, the rays of the sun wash out her vibrant colors and incandescence of the lava, so there is a major difference in what you can see.
Entering the realm of a fire goddess should not be a complacent action. Respect and reverence are necessary. For us, cultural protocols demand it. Before approaching any significant place or site, traditional practice requires that we ask permission of our kupuna (ancestors) to enter and that we deter from any negativity we may unintentionally bring or do at the site. We are aware that we become a part of the place and the place becomes a part of us simply because of our presence. Building a connection with the environment shifts our perspective from one of self to one of belonging and communing with the elements around us, seen and unseen. To cultivate this practice and to share this knowledge is a kuleana (responsibility/duty) that is requisite.
And just to let you know, once you have been in the presence of Pele, you will be forever mesmerized by the experience.
KAPOHO LAVA FLOW HIKE INFO:
It’s a 10 mile hike roundtrip from inside the Volcano National Park (park fees may apply).
6 miles roundtrip from the Hawaii County access road in Kalapana.
Mahalo to Sean King for allowing us to use his photos –
