Volcanoes are one of the most intriguing parts of the Hawaiian islands. They are mountains that lead down to magma – molten rock, between the earth’s crust and mantle. The opening that magma shoots through acts as a huge pressure valve inside the earth.

The magma that comes out of the volcano is called lava, which flows down the sides of the volcano and over time it hardens and forms new land.
The big island of Hawaii is covered with hardened lava which takes years to cover over in vegetation. All the Hawaiian islands have been formed over many years from volcanic eruptions.

Pixar has a darling short film that was released in 2014 called “Lava“.  It is a great song that tells  a love story about a lonely volcano that is searching for his true love.  Over the years another volcano forms and he finally finds his true love!  It a great animated story and song about how volcanoes form.

As we drove up to higher elevation on the Big Island we could slowly see a change in the ground – first grass covering the hardened rock and then eventually lots of vegetation and flowers.

Rob and I enjoyed seeing a volcano up close and personal on a helicopter ride. The helicopter was able to get us near the flowing lava and give us a bird’s eye view of this fascinating sight. The pilot zoomed in and out over the various lava fields.  It was a breath taking ride and we went to areas we could not get to by walking.

The Hawaii Volcano National Park is an amazing place to visit and is located on the big island of Hawaii where we were staying.
While touring the park last year, we walked through a huge lava tube cut through the earth when the volcano erupted many years ago. We were told by the guide that during World War 2, many people hid in the lava tubes during the bombings.

During this year’s visit we noticed more of a haze on the island. Our friends who live on a ranch there told us that it is volcanic ash clouds from the more recent activity of the volcano on that island. According to Hawaiian folklore, Pele, the goddess of fire, lightening, wind, dance, and volcanoes is thought to be the reason behind the eruptions.  The fiery goddess longs to be with her true love and thus the eruptions begin.

Later this month, Disney will come out with a new movie called “Moana” which has a Polynesian setting and takes place in Fiji, Samoa, and Tahiti.  One of the characters in the movie is a Lava Witch who is based on the fiery goddess Pele.

Volcanoes are both fascinating and scary!  We are glad that we got to see a volcano in person.  It is truly a remarkable sight!