Erupting Day

January 27, 2014

The demand of shark fin soup is decimating the Great White Shark. As I watch from my Omni theatre seat, I feel hopeless and desperate. Unable to shout out my hardened heartfelt sensation of sinking despair, I churn in discomfort. Many times, while snorkeling on the Big Island, Taelor and I had the privilege of swimming above baby sharks. As they softly caressed the sand floor, I admired their graceful agility and power.

One miniscule step at a time, I can calmly educate, share, explore the effects of humans, and possibly shift cultural attitudes. The more I know, the wider my audience will be. Choosing one focus at a time; sexual abuse, saving the shark/elephant/eagle/dolphin/salamander, women’s rights, ecology challenges, or recycling, is pragmatic. Though hard to swallow, at the same time. I want to be able to do it all.

The Great Ring of Fire presentation at the Omni also moved me. I continue to yearn for more time on the Big Island. Though there are so many other areas with volcanoes to explore and expand my explosive repertoire. Frequenting the lava flow viewing, from Kalapana as well as the National Park side, of the spewing Halema'uma'u in Hawaii, I am in awe of the force of nature. Heard the stories from native co-workers about the eruptions and how their families escaped the red hot destruction. The local mayor came to help people, encouraging them to take what they could, loading trucks and boxed furnishings for hours on end, days at a time. A sprig of palm that emerges from the black rock astounds me, out of the fire breathing Pele comes gorgeous life. It reflects the resiliency of the Hawaiians.

My daughter and I spent one brilliant Christmas day on the top of Mauna Kea, looking out over the range, inviting sea of uniquely different ecosystems that astonish me. I reach out to my friends in the tropics, wishing them a grand life, accepting the vog steaming from Kilauea, reveling in the warmth of the native lands, the people and her culture. I will be back one day, Hawaii.