Description
This image was taken in November of 1992 at Kamoamoa, in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Kamoamoa was a very significant archaeology site, with many Hawaiian trails, canoe sheds, and heiaus. (Hawaiian temples). Ancient Hawaiians used to launch their canoes here, and had a significant village area. The hot lava flows came into Kamoamoa a couple of months before I took this image. They skirted many significant sites, most notable the Moa Heiau. The lava surrounded this temple for a couple of years before finally covering it. Lava entering the ocean at Kamoamoa formed a black sand beach almost a mile long. It was an excellent place to view the lava entering the ocean. One day, the lava flow surged and destroyed what was left of this area. I had been practically living at Kamoamoa, due to the large amount of archaeological sites being buried that I wanted to document before they were erased forever. The grassy area in the background of this image, was a meeting place for many people. Modern Hawaiian cultural festivals used to be held here. I made my first nose flute here in 1984. It was with sadness that I watched it being buried, but also with the knowing that what Pele creates, she also can take away, so it is best not to be too attached
