Unique rewards, obvious risks on volcano’s flanks
PAHOA, Hawaii — As lava crawled down Leilani Road in a hissing, popping mass, Cheryl Griffith stood in its path and placed a plant in a crack in the ground as an offering to the Native Hawaiian volcano goddess, Pele.
Griffith lives in Leilani Estates, a subdivision on the Big Island where molten rock from the Kilauea volcano has burst through the ground, destroying more than two dozen homes and resulting in evacuation orders for nearly 2,000 people. But the 61-yearold did not leave.
“I love this place, and I’ve been around the volcano for a while,” Griffith said. “I’m just not one to rush off.”
For many people outside Hawaii, it’s hard to understand why anyone would risk living near an active volcano with such destructive power. But the slopes of Kilauea offer affordable land and a lush rural setting that attract a hardy breed of independent Hawaiian. The landscape contrasts sharply with the state’s more expensive real estate on Oahu and Maui, and the bustling capital of Honolulu.
Amber Makuakane, a 37year-old teacher and single mother of two, lost her threebedroom house to the lava. She grew up here and lived in the house for nine years. Her parents also live in Leilani Estates.
“The volcano and the lava — it’s always been a part of my life,” she said. “It’s devastating ... but I’ve come to terms with it.”
On Sunday and Monday, some of the more than 1,700 people who evacuated were allowed to return briefly to gather medicine, pets and other necessities. They will be able to do so daily as long as authorities believe it is safe.
The people here are largely self-sufficient and understand the risks of their location. Many cannot get homeowner’s insurance.
The region has macadamia nut farms and other agriculture along with multimilliondollar homes with manicured lawns. Other houses are modest, sitting on small lots with old cars and trucks scattered about.
Homeowners use rainwater-catch tanks and cesspools or septic tanks. Many rely on solar power, and some live entirely off the electrical grid.
Kilauea (pronounced kill-ah-WAY’-ah) is one of the world’s most active volcanoes and has been erupting continuously since 1983. There’s no indication when this particular lava flow might stop or how far it might spread. Scientists from the U.S. Geological Survey expect the flow to continue until more magma is drained from the system.