Keeping One Eye On Pele The Fire Goddess’ Wrath At Mauna Loa
Mauna Loa, the largest active volcano on earth began erupting on the Big Island of Hawai'i on Sunday night.
Photos: U.S.G.S.
A Samoan resident of Kealia in southern Kona on the Big Island of Hawai’i says they are keeping one eye on Mauna Loa as they carry on with their lives after the volcano erupted late Sunday night.
The eruption has stunned the world but it did not come as a surprise to Big Island residents, said the Samoan woman who agreed to talk to Eyespy Radio News on the condition of anonymity.
The eruption was expected after seismic activity increased (up to 50 earthquakes per day) early this year in April, she said.
They, the Samoan woman and her friends who are Native Hawaiians, began preparing months ago in the event an eruption occurred.
“We knew that it would amount to an eruption because seismic activity ramped up several months ago with many more earthquakes. We took heed and started to make plans about what to take, get items ready to move,” she told EyeSpy.
“We follow the United States Geological Service (U.S.G.S.). They have updates daily and debunk or confirm good information. Most places and businesses are still open – but it’s a one eye on the mountain while doing everything else.”
Mauna Loa, the largest active volcano on earth began erupting on the Big Island of Hawai'i on Sunday night.
Photos: U.S.G.S.
The eruption follows a series of artillery live-fire training that were conducted in the past month at the controversial Pohakuloa Training Area leased by the U.S. military, she noted.
Pohakuloa is described as the premier military training area in the Pacific region.
Units from all U.S. military services – the U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, U.S. Marines Corps and the U.S. Air force – and its allied militaries – train at Pohakuloa because it offers realistic training opportunities not found elsewhere, the official Pohakuloa website states.
Pohakuloa Training Area was first used during World War II as an artillery live-fire training area for the Marine Corps.
It spans 133,000 acres include an 80-acre cantonment area with a fuel yard, fire and police departments and an airfield with a 3,700-foot runway.
Pohakuloa includes grenade training pits and small arms, artillery, mortar, munitions and combat training ranges.
The installation, the largest in the Pacific, can support up to 2,300 military personnel.
Pohakuloa is located in between Mauna Loa, the biggest volcano on earth; Mauna Kea, the highest of Hawai’i’s volcanoes and Hualalai, the third most active volcano on Hawai’i.
(Mauna Loa is not to be confused with Kilauea, the youngest and most active of Hawai’i volcanoes.)
For years, many Native Hawaiians have disputed the legitimacy of Pohakuloa. They say that the live-fire training desecrates lands that are sacred.
The artillery live-fire training that took place in the past month is described as “bombings” by the Samoan resident who spoke to EyeSpy.
“They’ve been bombing the mountain for the last month,” the Samoan woman said.
For months, Native Hawaiians have been saying that Pele, Hawai’i’s fierce Goddess of Fire and Volcanoes, would soon return to exact justice on the parties who were “bombing” Mauna Loa, she said.
Some people think of Pele as a figment of folklore, a myth or an ancient Hawaiian legend.
But many Native Hawaiians take Pele very seriously and refer to her as a god or “akua.” Many regard Pele as family, an ancestor, calling her “grandmother” or “tutu” – and the eruption a precursor to her wrath.
“Did any of my fellow Kanaka hear whether or not Tutu was interested in renewing the lease on this part of her island to the Americans?,” Hawaiian activist Hinaleimoana Wong-Kalu wrote in a Facebook status.
“It would be such a shame if they push her too much on the negotiations! You know how moody she gets. I hope they don’t make her mad.”
Hawai’i News Now journalist Chelsea Davis reports that many Native Hawaiians say it is no coincidence that Mauna Loa erupted on Lā Kū'oko'a also known as Hawaiian Independence Day.
It’s the day England and France formally recognised the Hawaiian Kingdom as an independent nation-state. The recognition was formalised on 28 November, 1843.
“The United States gets their Independence Day and do fireworks. We get our akua, we get Pele,” said Kukuihaele resident 'I'ini Kahakalau. “What a way to celebrate!”
Some Hawaiians like Mehana Kihoi says it is “eviction time” for the Pohakuloa garrison.
EyeSpy Radio sent questions to the Public Affairs Office at Pohakuloa on Wednesday. A response was not received.
The Big Island News website reports that the U.S. Army Garrison at Pohakuloa is closely monitoring the Mauna Loa eruption.
Military officials said there are no troops on the ground training at Pohakuloa and there is no immediate threat to their personnel, structures, or training areas.
The training area said it will continue to work closely with Hawai’i County and other agencies as the situation develops.
“We are thankful for the close partnership we have with Hawai’i County and the team of teams of first responders on the island,” Big Island News reported.
“Additionally, Pohakuloa Training Area has had a representative in the Hawai’i County Emergency Operations Center since early this morning and is prepared to continue our support to Hawai’i County if needed. We will continue to keep the community updated on our social media platforms as soon as there is more information.”
Motorists traveling in the vicinity of Mauna Loa have been urged to use caution as many are pulling over to take photos.
The U.S.G.S. said there were fountains spewing lava as high as 25 meters (82 feet) into the sky on Wednesday morning from fissures on the Northeast Rift Zone of Mauna Loa.
As of Wednesday morning, no property was at risk, according to a U.S.G.S. statement.
“For now, the activity is at bay and everyone can sleep but the red glow in the sky makes us remember to take heed,” the Samoan resident in Kealia said.
There are numerous Samoans who live and work on the Big Island like Tiana Wai, a former resident of American Samoa.
She lives in Pahoa with her mother and works in Hilo. The population of Big Island is 200,629, according to the 2020 U.S. Census.
Because Mauna Loa is in the middle of the island, everyone is close to the volcano, Ms. Wai noted.
She spoke to EyeSpy Radio from Hilo where she works as an assistant branch manager for a truck rental company.
“Everyone is close to Mauna Loa if we’re on the Big Island. It’s centered but I work Hilo and live Pahoa,” Ms. Wai said.
She doesn’t believe in Pele, only God and reports they have no worries.
“Mom is doing good. We are not worried. God is in control!,” she told EyeSpy.
“We don’t believe in Pele, we believe in God. Too much fear and not enough faith.”