We lost everything

In 1986 when my daughter Louisa was a newborn and Soleil was just a twinkle, I bought a 5 acre parcel in the most beautiful part of the Big Island called Kapoho. I was a single mother and for years I struggled to build a house and catchment for water. I put every drop of money, time and sweat into making this jungle paradise my children's happy home.  My land was my only legacy. I was going to leave it to my children. In recent years we have continued to spend time, energy and money on it and even had plans for another house. We had leveled a pad and put in the electric pole.  Before Louisa left the island she lived in the house and renovated it, planted trees and called it her home for a time as an adult. My son, Soleil,  has been living there for the past decade or so and took great care of the house and property while also helping to cover the mortgage. It is located 2 miles from his local surf spot Pohoiki and walking distance to green lake and the tide pools. He loved living there.

Late last week, the lava took an unexpected turn and flowed 9 miles down to Kapoho taking out not only our land, but our beloved green lake and the warm ponds where my kids learned to swim. It also took just about every other house and living thing within a mile in every direction including all the warm ponds and tide pools at ocean's edge. We are still in shock that this all happened so fast and so completely! My heart goes out to all of the families who are going through the exact same nightmare, as more than 500 homes were lost, 3 neighborhoods and so much beauty erased forever. 

    My son, Soleil got out safely and had many friends help him move as much as he could with only a day or so warning. He has been staying with friends in the Hilo and surrounding area's and through the kindness of others has found storage and a temporary home for his dog Primo. We lost gardens, the house, a cabin, a green house, a truck, his small farm and all the trees we had planted and cared for throughout the years. Loosing land to lava is different than a hurricane, flood or fire. There is 15 feet of solid rock on top of our beloved home... so there is nothing to go back to or recover.

I am so grateful that my son is safe and thankful for the aloha spirit within the community that has helped him along the way. Both myself and my daughter Louisa were not on the Island during this disaster.  There was nothing we could do to help except watch from afar in horror and sadness. I am also grateful that no one has been killed by this tragedy (that I know of) and that we got to experience and live in Kapoho before it was taken. It will live forever in our hearts and memories.

I would greatly appreciate any support to help pay for lodging locally, transportation costs, food, storage facility costs and a vehicle to make public meetings and sort through paper work as needed. Soleil is also in need of support to rebuild his life wherever that may end up being. Even though all I can do right now is cry, I am reaching out for help in a difficult time. Mahalo, Nicki