It has been 25 years since the beginning of the current Kilauea eruptions which has added 500+ acres to the Big Island of Hawaii and covered several populated areas, including the small town of Kalapana. To read the US Geological Survey's assessment of the lengthy eruption, visit their website at http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/volcanowatch/current_issue.html
The activity of the volcano and the Volcano Goddess, Madame Pele is the subject for much of the art and lore that comes out of Hawaii, and with good reason. The terrible beauty and constant threat of the volcano is very much in the mind of any island resident or visitor. It is amazing to stand on new earth, as you can at the New Black Sand Beach in Kalapana, and frightening to imagine that possibly thirty feet below you was someone's home, covered in lava. While it is a difficult trek, to hike out to the lava, it is worth it to see the glow of lava coming over the hill, to see the steam plume as it hits the ocean, and wonder where Madame Pele plans to go next.
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