The Daily Bucket is a nature refuge. We amicably discuss animals, weather, climate, soil, plants, waters and note life’s patterns spinning around us.
We invite you to note what you are seeing around you in your own part of the world, and to share your observations in the comments below.
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As some here may know, I spent November and December on the Big Island of Hawai’i in the Hilo vicinity. A 3-week planned trip to visit my sister morphed into an unplanned — and incredibly enriching — 8-week stay. Extended time on the Big Island gave me an authentic sense of Hawaiian culture and place, particularly Hawaiians’ deep love of their ʻāina — “the land.” The word ‘āina literally means “that which feeds,” affirming the interdependence between Hawaiians and nature.
Oh, and that nature! You can’t help but feel its power and spiritual energy everywhere, whether it’s the crash of waves on lava sea cliffs, the trade wind procession of cumulus clouds, or the disquieting, looming mass of Mauna Loa, the largest active volcano on Earth.
In today’s bucket, I bring you Part 1 of the aloha ʻāina experienced during my stay. Today’s bucket focuses on the Big Island’s physical environment. Part 2 will delve into its flora and fauna.
Lua Pele (volcano)
As an acquaintance of my sister oft proclaims, “We live on an active volcano!!!” That’s obvious everywhere you look. The Big Island has 4 active “shield” volcanoes, huge expanses of solidified lava, and kīpukas — the green islands surrounded by old and recent lava flows.
At the time of my visit, Kīlauea Volcano was (and still is) actively erupting within the larger Halemaʻumaʻu crater. The crater and caldera are riddled with active steam vents, some of which emit dangerously high amounts of sulfur dioxide gas. The landscape was an awesome reminder that primordial forces are still, relentlessly at work on the Big Island.
Lani (sky) and AO (Clouds)
The Big Island’s skies, clouds, and weather phenomena were mesmerizing. I could have watched this beauty unfold all day….
Mahina (moon)
Native Hawaiians have a name for each day of the lunar cycle. This is unsurprising given they descended from Polynesian wayfinders — people who navigated great distances with astonishing precision using only the moon, stars, wind, and ocean currents to guide them.
Kai (nearshore sea)
My sis and I spent hours at an overlook we named Pele’s Perch, less than a mile’s bike ride from her home SE of Hilo. We often spotted Green Sea Turtles, mysterious large fish, and seabirds in the nearshore surf. One day we saw the spouts of what we guessed were Humpback Whales a mile out. Most often, we just watched the beautiful aquamarine waves roll in and crash on the lava cliffs, misting us with salt spray and rainbows.
In Part 2, I’ll cover the flora and fauna of the Big Island, but will reserve most of the bird photos for a Dawn Chorus in a few weeks.
Mahalo for joining today’s bucket!
Please share what’s happening in your ʻāina.