Dancing Hula at Kilauea Crater

(This poem is dedicated to my Kumu,
William Sonny Ching)

As we set foot in the land of mysterious spirits,
A strength rushes through our veins.
As we look around, the harsh stench awakens our senses.
Naked feet meet the crusty rock of ‘?ina o Kilauea.
The cold wind whispers ancient secrets in our hearts.
Together as one ‘ohana, as halau.
Roots of Hawaiian pride hold us firmly to the ground.
Behold, before us lay the creations of sacredness.
Thy land touched by the ?‘? of the Goddess.
Silences broken as the story of old cuts through the air.
The hands of ancient dance reach out with their memories.
Fragrance of offerings drift into the smoky air.
Wind whips the skin like a rope.
A palette of golden hues enchants the darkening sky.
This is the pit of Kilauea.
O Pele la, e ala ho‘I, E ala mai ‘oe e moe loa nei.

by Pualani Armstrong
9th grade, ‘Iolani School