Today we filled our backpacks with bottled water and prepared for a long, hot hike up the lava fields to find out if we could see any hot molten lava. So far we’ve been delighted by all the rock formation on this side of the island, but we were ready for something a bit more exciting. Hiking two miles uphill on broken black asphalt would challenge most anyone, but the kids and I were determined to make it as far as we could- and then back again. When we arrived at the entry point, we discovered the government had placed barricades in hopes of enforcing specific entry points and times. Unfortunately we were early and met with signs suggesting the possibility of our arrest if we continued. While Jen discussed her rights as a tax payer with a few other people who arrived just behind us, I decided I was tired of standing there with a 30lb backpack on and just started walking. Soon everyone else started to follow and we were on our way.

At the end of the hike we reached a cliff with barricades and caution tape. Just beyond we could see smoke rising at the spot where the hot lava hit the ice cold ocean water. When this happens it explodes into tiny rocks that resemble the black beach sand seen on many older beaches. Here we could see the newest beach in the world, forming right before our eyes. No barricades we going to stop us, and we climbed over the tape and down the side of the cliff. Jen and Leila agreed that they’d already broken the law enough just by hiking this far and they we satisfied with the view right where they were. Malik opted for hiking with me, suggesting that there was no way he was going to watch his mother hike off by herself. The sentiment was sweet and appreciated, but he was just as curious as I was. We hiked carefully and scooped up handfuls of this beautiful new beach just to feel it fun through our fingers. The waves were violently slapping up against our new beach and we were happy to take our photos and head back to the rest of the group. As we left the park we passed the National Guard arriving to open the viewing area we’d already seen. They looked at us slightly puzzled but we smiled and waved and they smiled and waved back, no harm no foul.

After the long hot hike we coasted down to a little overpriced dive by the sea for Ahi and Ono burgers. Afterwards we took a stroll through the native Hawaiian gardens where they displayed their arguments for the return of their rights as native Hawaiians; a struggle not unlike that of our Native Americans. The hike offered colorful orchids, fragrant plumeria trees, and just before we made it back to the truck we stumbled upon the most delightful Hawaiian moonshine brewing bootleggers. They were more than happy to share their process and purpose with us. It turns out they were attempting to brew ethanol for their converted car using bananas and the resulting alcohol was just a bonus. We all enjoyed a few good laughs before thanking them and declining their invite to return later for drinks.