Pele's Home
By Connor Underwood. Connor is a Computer Science & Data Science undergraduate at Purdue University.
Today was a walk day. Dr. Jarriel informed us that we would be going on a 3-mile hike through Crater Rim Trail, followed by lunch with an interesting stranger, and then cap off the day with a fancy drive down Pele’s house (Mount Kilauea). Honestly, the idea of a hike didn’t excite me (I currently am sporting a twisted ankle), but it’s not every day one gets to experience the beauty of a Hawaiian landscape. At 9am we departed for the visitor’s center. Chris and I had our daily fight over control of the aux, Jake attempted to navigate with no service, and Gio immersed himself in a book as we ascended 4,000 feet into the clouds. It took us about an hour to reach our destination, but we didn’t need Google Maps to tell us if we made it or not. All around us, plumes of water vapor arose from the ground, along with the giant Mauna Loa towering in the distance, some 9000 feet above us.
The Voyager came to a halt. The group got out of the car to begin Crater Rim Trail, but first we all had to look at the steam vent.
Gio looking down at the steam vent. Photo by Katie Jarriel
It was hot -- hotter than expected. We only realized how bad of an idea it was to stick our faces in once the hot air hit us right in them. With me leading the pack, we then headed towards the caldera. We decided to take a pitstop midway through the trail, just to bask in the beauty of the view.
Connor, Chris, and Danielle looking at the caldera. Photo by Katie Jarriel
It took me a while to really understand the significance of what I was experiencing. Millions of years old lava rock laying the foundation of everything I was seeing. Forming past civilizations, lives, religions -- all of it on this island the Hawaiians call home. We kept along, finishing our hike at the peak of the trail. By this time, I was really feeling the hunger. We decided to grab some food over at a nearby place named Café Ono. Following lunch, the group was greeted by a friendly fellow named Ira. He was weirdly enthusiastic and passionate in a wholesome way, urging us to visit his “Please Touch” policy gift shop. I got a turtle necklace for my girlfriend back home, then we were out.
Next step on the agenda was to visit the lava tubes, then a fancy drive, as Dr. J called it, down the mountain. The lava tubes were quick, only taking the group around 15 minutes total to traverse. The boys regrouped in the Voyager, ready to take off on our scenic drive. Unanimously, everybody in the car agreed Minecraft music to be most fitting of what was to come. And then we saw it: the sea. A blue painting stretching endlessly across the horizon, waves shimmering under the sun, blending seamlessly with the sky. It was as if we had driven straight into a masterpiece, making the world beyond the water's edge seem almost unreal. The Voyager once again came to a halt.
Gio speechless on the far left. Photo by Katie Jarriel.
I shared Gio’s speechlessness at the beauty we’d seen over the past 12 hours. This land with the sea as its immortal companion. The water is a friend, a storyteller, and a guardian, fueling travel and facilitating the exchange of not only goods but also culture and wisdom. The ocean's presence is within Hawaiian culture, shaping their traditions and reminding them of their connection to the natural world and to each other.
Next stop on our tour of Pele’s home was the Pu’uloa petroglyphs, a rich glance into the past of Hawaiian culture. The group took a half-mile hike towards the archaeological site, with Marlo leading the pack. Circling the area of importance was a raised boardwalk which allowed us to observe the ancient carvings without interfering. Depicted onto the rocks were the sun and human figures along with indented circles, representing the umbilical cord, or piko in Hawaiian culture.
Picture of petroglyphs at Volcanoes National Park. Photo by Katie Jarriel.
All around me the lava rock enveloped the terrain with the harsh sea crashing against the cliff. Inside me brewed a profound respect for the civilization that Hawaiians have built. Working on a project that intricately explored and celebrated Hawaiian culture is truly an honor. Over these past few days I’ve gained a deeper understanding of the richness of this lands culture, and I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute to its preservation and appreciation.