8.09 Halema'uma'u Crater at dusk: Nightlife on the Rocks

We altered our schedule today in order to accommodate a night or at least, an evening hike. We were
a little nervous being alone with our editor in the dark. What would we do if she took advantage of us in
the great, dark outdoors? …We should be so lucky. We’ve been meaning to get to this crater, which
sits on an active lava lake, for a night view. It’s the crater spewing sulphur dioxide each and every day.
You’d think that after 4 years it would grow tired. Tons and tons of gas spiral into the sky, both day and
night, without a break.

Although the nights are very cold and wet, the excitement of watching the show warmed the body and spirit.
We are pleased we had the opportunity to observe Mother Nature put on a majestic performance. However, we
are the first to admit that although it is pretty, the destructive nature of eruptions wreak havoc on the
lives of many and for those that have suffered, we give pause.

We read that Hawaii (The Big Island) is the youngest of all Hawaiian Islands. At a mere one million years,
it is still a ‘baby’. We hate to be fussy, but when we drive around, we consider a little pruning in the
forests and a coat of paint on the buildings would go a long way to retain a youthful image.

Set out below is a sequence of pictures that captured part of our evening hike at Kilauea Crater in
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.

Halema'uma'u Crater during the day, provided only for perspective

A hint of pink or is it orange?

Dusk arrives and a hint of color shows

Where there's smoke, there's fire

Houston: We've got a lot of sparks—ease up on the ignition

Earth, wind and fire—but we're missing water

Houston: Call for a fire truck, this is serious

Houston: I'm outta here. Mother earth is burning. You're on your own, Son

We hope you enjoyed the fireworks.

Cheers,

Jenni and Jeffrey