Playing with Fire In 1987 while Margaret and I were living in Orinda, Ca we received a brochure addressed to group leaders inviting us to have a group in their retreat center on the big island of Hawaii called Kalani Hanua roughly translated “meeting of heaven and earth”. At that time we had been, and still do facilitate a Spiritual teaching called “A Course in Miracles”. I had been to Honolulu once two years earlier and did have a desire to return to Hawaii. We had for the past three years facilitated an annual week long Miracles camp with about 100 participants. We both thought it would be nice to do a small retreat on the Big Island of Hawaii. After doing brief calculations, we estimated that if we could get 15 participants and charge about 15% more than what the camp charges were, we could get a free week’s vacation plus have a fun time on the Big Island. Lo and behold, six months later we were at the retreat center with exactly 15 other participants. Wow. What planning. As a result of spending a week on the Big Island in 1987, we realized we could actually afford to live there. I retired on March 31st 1988 at age 53 and on April 7th we were living in an apartment hotel in Hilo. After a month we bought a small house on 3 1/2 acres for $35,000 Ironically we couldn’t afford to retire in California where I had lived and worked for 25 years, but we were able to buy a small house in the jungle on 3 1/2 acres 30 miles south east of Hilo. It was in the jungle, off power but it was remarkably functional in that it had a 5000 gallon water catchment tank, and two solar panels on the roof which charged up two batteries under the house. This provided enough DC current to pump the water into the house. It also provided power for a few lamps. We had no appliances however. We had a propane stove, and an instant hot water heater, and a propane refrigerator which had to be defrosted every three weeks. So we were self-contained. There was no generator though. Because it rained so much, we had to have the batteries charged frequently. We were in a catch 22 situation. We were dependent on the rain for all our water needs and if it rained too much there wasn’t enough electric power to pump the water to the house, or even to flush the toilet or take a shower. We were really living on the edge like Robinson Crusoe. Even the native Hawaiians lived in more up to date facilities than we were living in. The road that led to the beach road was paved for an eighth of a mile. Then without warning it became the road from hell for the next four miles. It was so bad that people would visit us once, and then never return. The scenery was physically beautiful to look at as it ran alongside the ocean. However the road was full of large pot holes and sharp rocks jutting out. If you drove faster than ten mph, you could kiss your car goodbye. And we did. Twice. One time we were hosting a pot luck with a square dance group we belonged to. I had given everyone explicit instructions about the road conditions, but one couple did not heed them. They were bringing a large meringue pie. He was driving very fast on the paved road and did not slow down when the pavement ended. To make a long story short, the car bounced hard and the pie splattered against the ceiling of the car and all over their clothing. When they arrived they were a total mess. While we all had empathy for their plight, it was difficult to keep from laughing. Where we lived there had been no volcanic action for 100 years or so. However about 15 miles south, there were still lava flows wreaking havoc; wiping out roads and complete villages. It was exciting in many ways, living on the edge. Fortunately our area was not affected by the lava flow. While we had been visiting the previous year the lava flow sealed off the perimeter highway that had encircled the Island. There was now a big lava field of several square miles which went from the road to the edge of the ocean where the lava was still extruding from underground tubes. There were police barricades up forbidding entry, but they were rarely manned, and the locals would bravely venture out. It wasn’t spectacular compared to an actual volcanic eruption, but it was more spectacular than seeing a pile of dirt. Especially at night when one could see the burning lava flowing down the cliffs. One incident I remember clearly is of watching a sea of burning lava slowly creep across a wide swath devouring everything in its path, trees, cars, houses. One man was vainly trying to save his property by squirting the burning lava with a hose. This had about the same effect as telling a hungry bear not to eat me because I’m a vegetarian. We received a number of visitors from the mainland most of whom wanted to see the volcanic flow, but none who were willing to disregard the police barricade with the kapu (danger) keep out signs. That is till Susan and Bruce visited us. Susan was very adventurous and couldn’t wait to go out on the lava flows. She had been to Alaska and been on ice flows, and thought it would be a similar experience. As we had not gone to the lava fields for about six months, and since the contours changed each time we went, we decided it was time for another visit. When we arrived there were even more barricades up. Apparently the lava had backed up on itself and we could see steam in several places between where the highway used to be and the ocean. Susan was still game to go, but Bruce decided to stay back with Margaret, who does not enjoy walking on slippery uneven surfaces. While part of the lava field is easy to walk on, much of it has to be carefully negotiated as there are wave like and thick rope like undulations as well as cracks in the surface. It is not for the faint of heart and I know I would not do it now. Susan and I walked out to the end of the lava field which was about 1/2 mile or so to where it streamed into the ocean. It is one of the wonders of nature that I have never tired of experiencing. It is an experience that very few people have, and words can’t really describe the awesomeness. It is both destruction and creation at the same time. It totally destroys everything in its path and adds new land which over many years becomes habitable again. Also the lava is a commercial business as it is great fertilizer and is also useful for building material for roads and houses. After viewing the flow for 1/2 hour, we started the return. Because the field is about a half mile by about 3 miles, and because there are no guide posts and because one can’t just walk out in a straight line because of the contours and crevices in the lava field, we tried to retrace our steps as best we could. Apparently we must have veered off course, because there were more vents steaming now than when we came out. Also the lava was making crunching sounds indicating that the flow was closer to the surface. Susan smelled something burning. I had assumed that the burning was from the lava flow way below the surface until I looked down at my shoes and noticed that they were smoking. I started sweating, and I realized it was time to get out post haste. Actually the ground behind us started to fire up and we were partially engulfed by flaming lava. It was like being in an Indiana Jones adventure. Fortunately I recognized the path we had originally taken and we were able to get out without injury, although I did have to replace the shoes. We decided not to tell our mates of our literally playing with fire, Sometimes it pays to observe warning signs.
Posted on: Thu, 20 Nov 2014 01:04:49 +0000
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