March 2023: So went my return to the Big Island for the first time in five years. In the spring of 2018 I finally got the chance to shoot surface lava at the tail end of the 81g event unfolding south of Kilauea. The year before I caught ocean entry lava at Kamokuna. That most recent spate of volcanic activity in that area culminated in late spring with flows that devastated the Leilani Estates and one of my favorite snorkeling spots, the Kapoho tidepools. Lots of folks lost their property as Pele did some landscaping and made some new terra. For the time being, Puna is pretty quiet. My friends at Kalapana Cultural Tours and Kaimu Rentals have closed up shop, unfortunately. I'm hoping they have found other ways to prosper until the next event brings the photographers and other visitors back to their home to witness how the earth is made again.

A couple months ago Mauna Loa decided to put on a show, and I just missed it. By the time I arrived in Kona, I had to content myself with some hiking, snorkeling and general beach lounging. I devoted most of my photographic attention to those "boring" sunsets with glowing clouds parading along the skies, exploring endless compositions using the leading lines of the ancient lava beds of the Kona Coast to capture something pleasing. Nothing earth-shattering here, but the evening displays were some of the finest I have ever had the pleasure to soak up, warm waves and foaming tides sloshing over my legs and occasionally threatening to submerge my gear.

Mahalo, Hawai'i. Hope to see you again, soon.