Ho'ailona...

Last night, on New Years Eve, I ventured out into the dark volcanic landscape alone. My only companion was a large brown rat which lumbered along the trail with me for about ten yards. It was painfully cold as the crisp night air stung my cheeks. I had earlier witnessed the large full moon, red in color, rising up through the 'ohi'a lehua trees near Halema'uma'u Crater. I knew the red moon, caused by the sulfuric dioxide plumes blowing out of the fiery pit at Kilauea, was also a sign of Pele, as the moon is another form of her, especially the red moon. I went home to grab my camera and tripod. When I returned, I found the Pele moon, risen and lightened, had formed into the eye of a great shark. Kamohoali'i, the elder brother of Pele. As he consumed the last light of the night sky with his voracious appetite. It was truly magical and brought me to tears...