Because my oldest brother on the Big Island, near Hilo, has been waffling over staying, going, staying, going — what to do with the dogs? — for most of May, that’s why Hawaii is on my mind these days. I just heard from him this morning with some scary news (“The lava took out the cell tower so I don’t have phone reception so tell mom that I can’t phone her. Hope you are okay.”) But then the news via email improved somewhat after some incisive questions on my part:
Me: “What the heck is happening with that lava flow? How are those noxious gases?”
Brother: “The gases were very bad in the beginning. Right now the winds are blowing strong so the air quality is good this morning. The lava has gone into the ocean about three miles from here.”
So we’re all going to take a deep breath and hope the strong winds continue. Even though more fissures of lava have erupted from the Kilauea volcano since yesterday, mandatory evacuation is still not in place for my brother. I’m trying my hardest to imagine Hilo and Pahoa covered not in lava, but bromeliads. (I’ve yet to visit our 50th state, so I’m reposting scenes from a 2015 visit to Lotusland.)
Have a great weekend.
As I haven’t visited my brother-in-law on Vashon, I can’t criticize your delay in visited your brother on the Big Island but still! When the eruption is over, you need to pay a visit. When my husband was able/willing to fly, we visited Hawaii almost every year and every visit was punctuated with discussions of moving there…
I hope your brother and his dogs continue to be safe. I can only imagine the stress.
Thanks, Kris. You know how it is…when I had the money, I didn’t have the time. When I have the time….etc.
Thank you for the report. I remember a brief conversation during the Fling and I had wondered how he was doing.
Good God, those are lovely photos from Lotusland. Happy I discovered your blog. Appreciate your writing style! Best wishes for Hilo and Pahoa and your brother. Nerve wracking.
Glad to hear that your brother and his dogs are doing okay and here’s hoping for continued safety! Gorgeous pictures of Lotusland.
I hope your brother (and his dogs) are okay!