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Mauna Loa Volcano & Kilauea Sister Volcano

The political and spiritual symbolism of Mauna Loa’s historic eruption
“We’re seeing new land, new geographical features being born right in front of our eyes, and there is no power — no human power — that can stop it or can deter it,” one Native Hawaiian scholar said.

“The Native people have been saying this isn’t your place to extract and profit from anymore,” said Kaniela Ing, co-founder of Native Hawaiian-focused organization Our Hawaii and a former state legislator. “You don’t have authority to shape our sacred lands.”

The eruption, Ing said, “is Pelehonuamea saying, ‘They’re right. My people are right.’”

The deity Pele, often referred to as “Tutu Pele,” or Grandmother Pele, has been regarded as an ancestor who “creates new land” as hardened, molten lava adds to the surrounding terrain.

— KU’UALOHA HO’OMANAWANUI, AUTHOR OF “VOICES OF FIRE: REWEAVING THE LITERARY LEI OF PELE AND HI’IAKA.”

Mauna Loa, on the island of Hawai’i and alongside the dormant, snowcapped volcano Mauna Kea, is expected to continue erupting for weeks. Thus far, the lava flow has significantly slowed and does not pose a threat to communities, the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency said. However, authorities expect it to eventually reach Daniel K. Inouye Highway, which is less than four miles away, in roughly a week or more.

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