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Introduction to Volcano By David Miranda © 2009  cont'd from "About" The day came when Dad and Mom and Uncle Arthur piled all of us into two old Chevrolets and we headed out from Hilo: Volcano bound. We crossed over the one lane bridge at the South end of Kīlauea Avenue. We kids were enthralled that you waited your turn to pass over the one lane bridge. When traffic cleared, our caravan scooted across, taking up the whole lane. I love that bridge. I remember that time in my childhood every time I cross it today because it is still there; tall trees and jungle encroaching upon it. And we got onto Volcano Highway; two lanes opposing each other; with forest; trees not familiar to us kids from Kaneohe, growing tall on each side so that I felt as if I was truly entering the forest for the first time. It was a long drive with every moment filled by trees and smells and the question “When will we get there?” But the long drive did have a destination and Mom was trying to explain what we were going to see. “No, it wasn’t erupting today but it would have lots of smoke and steam”. “Yes we could get close and look down inside but we all had to obey so that no one gets hurt”. The ultimate parental bargaining position which I now understand. Then Dad announced that finally we were here as our little motorcade continued its procession into even thicker forest of Lehua trees and giant fern trees that were called Hapu’u. Uncle Arthur knew the names of everything we were looking at and I was impressed. I knew immediately that I wanted to know the name of all the trees and birds and rocks and places. And I told my Parents and my uncle “When I grow up; this is where I’m going to live; will they give me a job here”? “Sure but you have to do well in school so you know what you are doing”. Ah, parents. We drove around the crater rim and stopped at the Halemaʻumaʻu overlook. We walked out to a small wooden platform. From there we could look down into Pele’s home. There was no fire visible in Pele’s home and Uncle Arthur explained that Pele was building another house just down there a ways; pointing off toward the site of the Kīlauea Iki eruption. There was lots of smoke over there. I looked across the gaping crater of Halemaʻumaʻu. I was stunned by the immensity of the crater before us and the wisps of steam that came directly out of the floor of the fire pit and the sides of the cliffs. Sulfur painted the cliffs and rocks and there was that smell. And there was a tremendous silence that filled the air. How could anything so massive, with the tumult of activity so obvious and near at hand project only silence. cont'd on "Going Green"about.htmlgoinggreen.htmlshapeimage_2_link_0shapeimage_2_link_1

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What Does the Volcano Project Mean for You?

The people behind the Volcano Project are all about positive change and making a difference in people's lives. A local job creation and training facility can have huge benefits for the local population.


How will TVP affect you as an individual?  What impact will TVP have on your community? How might you participate and benefit from TVP? To answer these questions, we have identified the various stakeholders in this project which include just about everyone! Read on to see how TVP can enrich your life.


Hawaii's Youth

The Volcano Project represents an opportunity to establish a local, accessible, world-class job creation & training center, providing both academic and practical experience in a professional hotel environment, frequented by guests from all over the world.  TVP will provide instruction in all skills necessary to excel in the global hospitality industry and generate entrepreneurial fluency and self-sufficiency. Scholarships to attend the Volcano  Project's Hotel & Culinary Institute will be available to Hawaii's youth regardless of their place of residence.  Home of Pele, goddess of volcanoes, Kīlauea is considered a most sacred place for Hawaiians. On special occasions, some Hālau (hula schools) make pilgrimages to the volcanoʻs rim to perform Kahiko (the ancient form of hula). In honor of this deep cultural connection, TVP will work with renowned Kumu Hula (masters & teachers of hula) to establish a rotating "Hālau in residence" at the parks' Volcano House hotel concession.  Kahiko performances will be accompanied by Kumu Hula "talks" allowing visitors a greater understanding of this art form. TVP will act as an international showcase to promote and nurture the continued expression of Hawaiian culture.


Park Visitors

Park visitors will enjoy the spirit of Aloha through musical performances, resident Hālau, concierge services, flower lei greetings, special performances, concerts, workshops, hawaiian arts, native hawaiian guide services, talk story, and a world-class menu and hotel experience all at a more affordable price.


Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park

The Volcano Project will establish a close relationship with park staff, creating a permanent hotel liaison position with the park. Regular meetings will be scheduled with park representatives to address both park & visitor needs, as well as, to improve park & visitor experiences. Working closely with the National Park, and governed by US Federal historic preservation laws, TVP will assist in the historical restoration of current structures, while reducing its carbon footprint through implementation of appropriate green technologies, such as solar, geothermal, steam, and wind. Zero Waste and recycling policies will be adopted for all hotel-generated waste, including the use of biodegradable cups, dishes and utensils for all take out meals and box lunches. Phytoremediation of sewage will be explored. Group transportation systems will be used to reduce the carbon footprint of students & employees.  Supply stores will accommodate visitors at the Nāmakani Paio campground, as well as, well traveled extremities of the park. TVP will propose bicycle rentals be made available for visitor use.


Local Businesses

Local restaurants will be invited to feature their chefs and cuisine at the National Park's Volcano House hotel concession. Wares from local gift shops, as well as, local artisans, artists, and photographers, will be featured at the concession's boutiques. Local restaurants will benefit from the highly-skilled talent pool generated by the TVP Hotel & Culinary Institute.


Local Residents

Residents of Hawai'i will enjoy a new Volcano House hotel concession "experience" featuring world-class cuisine at an affordable price. As a non-profit, TVP can direct all revenues back to the Institute. Local residents will also have access to a variety of culinary courses, workshops and a renaissance of Hawaiian cultural activities and events.


Local Suppliers

The Volcano Project's Hotel and Culinary Institute will work with local community farms and gardens, supporting the superior quality and diversity of fresh island produce. Culinary students will be involved in all phases of planting, growing and harvesting local foods.

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Photo courtesy G. Brad Lewishttp://volcanoman.com/shapeimage_3_link_0