text: Hawaii – Hit the Road with Me
  Three years and some moons ago, I was on my way to the Lihue airport — wet, dirty, and sleepless. I'd just spent four nights on the… Read more "Hawai'i's Teachings in Kaua'i's Secret Garden: Photos from Another World & A Never-Ending Story"
  September 14, 2021 by Pina Marek
  I've been to Hawai'i before. I've seen Kīlauea before. But even the most basic knowledge of geology and, therefore, a slightly deeper understanding of how this place came to be, made this visit to the crater so much more fascinating.
  Right next to Halema'uma'u crater, the star of the most recent eruption, there's the smaller Kīlauea Iki crater that last erupted in 1959. Before it was a flat plain of volcanic rock, Kīlauea Iki was a V-shaped crater filled with trees. Then, suddenly — boom. A long fissure opened in one violent event and started to spew lava. Several other vents opened and within 24 hours, joined their forces in one event.
  Fountains of lava were visible from afar, the tallest one reaching 1,900 feet (source).
  A new cinder cone, Puʻu Puaʻi, was formed, and when the surface of the lava lake that formed in the crater submerged the fissure, the fountains stopped. Eventually, the lake drained back into the vents, leaving behind its crust. Signs of the drainage can be beautifully seen all around the crater's edges in the slabs of rock that lay on the sloping walls.
  We hiked through the crater, guided by the ahu, or cairns — trail markers built from stacked rock. For the first half (okay, maybe only a quarter) of the hike, I managed to stay on or near the trail like any other normal person. (You're allowed to go off-trail in the crater, as the surface is very durable, and not at all delicate like many other places.)
  "Why is it orange?" I was asked by our group when we stopped near Puʻu Puaʻi displaying a big red-colored scar on its side.
  "Oxidization," I answered, and then the excitement of understanding overpowered me and I ended up running all around the crater, looking at features that wouldn't make any sense and wouldn't mean anything to me only a year ago. After all, what's there to see besides a flat plain of black rock and a few mounds of more black rock?
  A lot. I found a crack in the floor that was going to turn into a slab dipping under the "surface" in a few hundred years, a steam vent, a piece of a broken slab that displayed beautiful layers in which you could see how the surface of the lava lake cooled down, turning into rock,… I found a lot.
  And it all meant something thanks to knowledge. In fact, it was beyond fascinating thanks to knowledge. And I only wish I knew even more, then the place would probably blow my mind even more.
  August 3, 2021 by Pina Marek
  Goodbye, Kaua'i | Searching the Aloha
  Last week, I managed to not post anything for you – and that's because I was just landing in Korea! Thus it's time to end our Hawaiian… Read more "Goodbye, Kaua'i | Searching the Aloha"
  April 8, 2019 April 8, 2019 by Pina Marek
  I Am All And All Is Me | Searching the Aloha
  The sand was wet from the recent rain. The surf was high, breaking over the barrier guarding the cove. The sky was grey with heavy clouds. And… Read more "I Am All And All Is Me | Searching the Aloha"
  February 4, 2019 February 4, 2019 by Pina Marek
  Kaua'i Hindu Monastery | Searching the Aloha
  For some reason, I couldn't not to visit the Kauai's Hindu Monastery. Maybe it was a part of my search for that something. I can not possibly… Read more "Kaua'i Hindu Monastery | Searching the Aloha"
  January 21, 2019 February 4, 2019 by Pina Marek
  Rain in Hanalei | Searching the Aloha
  Walking barefoot would be considered a little strange, maybe even eccentric in certain parts of the world. Wearing shoes is considered unnecessary on Kaua'i, especially when the… Read more "Rain in Hanalei | Searching the Aloha"
  December 3, 2018 February 4, 2019 by Pina Marek
  When you go to a Hawaiian Paradise, the last thing you expect is hearing and meeting chickens everywhere. (I keep calling them "chickens" because all I could… Read more "Why are there Chickens Everywhere? (Kaua'i) | Searching the Aloha"
  November 26, 2018 February 4, 2019 by Pina Marek
  There are pieces of paradise hidden even inside other pieces of paradise. One of such places is the Limahuli Garden & Preserve, hidden almost at the northern… Read more "Limahuli Garden & Preserve | Searching the Aloha"
  Since when are rainbows full-circle? And how much do they want for the car?! About $50 left in cash, that's all I have after paying for the… Read more "Hello, Kaua'i | Searching the Aloha"