Pele and Hiʻiaka: Myth or History?

The Pele-Hiʻiaka oli (chants) describe metaphorically the two largest volcanic events at Kīlauea since Polynesians came to Hawaiʻi: the massive lava flow in Puna in the 15th century and the ensuing formation of the summit caldera in about 1500 CE. Retired USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologist and volcanologist Don Swanson will discuss how these oli depict the agreement between the past and modern understanding of these events. Part of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes’ ongoing Kahuku Coffee Talk programs.