New Kaimu

Racheal had the day off today, so we went exploring!  Headed out towards the 1990 lava flow that basically destroyed the traditional fishing village of Kalapana.  As we drove through a blackened and barren lava flow zone we saw the few houses that weren't destroyed by Pele.  Insurance doesn't cover these houses, so the residents of these homes had little choice but to stay in a virtually inaccessible, yet untouched home in the midst of the hardened lava that destroyed the homes of their friends and neighbors with no trace of the lush vegetation that previously made this place one of the jewels of Hawaii.  When we were forced to turn around by the hardened lava flow over the road, we turned towards new Kaimu beach, which used to be the foremost black sand beach in the world.  It is no longer very populated, but due to the efforts of a local woman and the community around her, it is making a recovery.  Coconuts planted by the locals are sprouting up in abundance and the beach will eventually be the family friendly destination it once was.  

We spent a couple hours soaking in the sun and marvelling at the surf pounding to white on the black sand. 

  Back home to enjoy a picnic in the park and finally relax in our new home and to fall asleep as the sun set to the song of the coqui frogs!