Year 2014 to 2015

For me, 2014 was very busy year.

A summit of Mt. Fuji from helicopter

This year, I saw many aspects of this volcano. I worked for this volcano.

A summit of Mt. Fuji from Nanamagari parking lot of Fujinomiya (in Shizuoka) route.

Sometimes I saw it from Shizuoka prefecture, but mostly from Yamanashi prefecture as I worked for a Yamanashi prefectural government in Japan.

Mountain hut on the slope of Mt. Fuji. Many people visit and climb up to the summit of this mountain.

My work is to think about how to mitigate disasters of volcanic eruption around Mt. Fuji. So we searched evacuation route everywhere on the slope of volcano.

Lava tree with a professor of Akita University.

Our work is to educate people around volcano.  So there  were many events to show volcanic features of nature and give lectures. I met many people and many mysterious places of Mt. Fuji.

Amusement park of Gaspard et Lisa.

Mt. Fuji is a popular touristic spot in Japan. So there are many parks and sightseeing places around. Gaspard et Lisa is a book for children originally in French. These rabbits are so cute. I sometimes visit this park because it is free to enter.

Big things for me in 2014 are firstly, a visit of Hawaii in the end of September.

Mouna Loa from the parking lot of Jagger Museum.

I wanted to visit my boyfriend and my field in Kilauea, but I couldn't visit in 2013. So it has been one and a half years since I left Hawaii. I was very happy to enter the ocean as it was not so easy to get to the coast in Japan.

Kailua coast in Oahu Island.

I was very happy to float on the ocean. However, there were lava flow approaching to the residential area of Pahoa, in Big Island. Finally, this lava flow reached a house in November.

In Hawaii, I had a heartwarming dinner with my boyfriend's family. I thought like that his family is my family. It was wonderful evening. Just after I returned to my hotel, I got a call from my mother telling me a disaster of Ontake volcano.
So, one of the biggest things is an eruption of Ontake volcano. This makes me so sad, while at the same time, it made my motivation to work for disaster mitigation research.

Mt. Fuji from Kawaguchiko (lake).

I wish year 2015 would be a peaceful and nice year for everybody!!

Happy New Year

16 years in volcanology-Part 2

In year 2000: I started my master. I studied about the dynamics of eruption and numerical models.
In this year, there were two major eruptions in Japan. "Usu" and "Miyakejima". However, I couldn't see any of these eruptions by myself. I only listened to TV news.
For my study, many seniors of our group helped me.  Master's degree in Japan is two years generally. After that, I decided to work for a computer company.

2002: I started to work for a computer company. Fortunately, I could work for the systems and analysis for hazard mitigation. One of my important projects in this company was to make an educational tool "Volcanic Simulator" for high school student (all in Japanese). So, I worked for some volcanological projects.

2003: I attended Cities on Volcanoes 3 in Big Island, Hawaii. It was a conference for volcanic eruptions and its hazard mitigation. At that time, volcanic activity in Kilauea was active and we enjoyed watching lava flows around the foot of Kilauea. I am attracted by Pele a goddess of Hawaiian volcanoes even though she is a woman!

Field trip of COV3. We were on the lava flow of Kilauea.

2005: I decided to quit my job for challenging to study abroad. It was my sister and her husband whom affected me. They had just finished their MBA in France. I said "Wow, it must be really nice experience to study abroad. I would like to try one day".

2007: Finally I got a PhD offer from University of Geneva in Switzerland. It was fantastic to have a PhD opportunity with good financial support. At the very beginning of my PhD, I went to Ecuador for the field work with other members from Geneva and from Italy.

Cotopaxi volcano and our group of field work from Geneva and Italy.

2008: I attended the meeting of International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth's Interior (IAVCEI, 2008) in Reykjavik, Iceland. At that time, I talked with many researchers from other countries, but I tended to stick to Japanese acquaintance. I was not very open to other people because I had a lot of stress by living in foreign country. I wanted to speak in JAPANESE! I didn't feel that I was sad or lonely. However, I felt frustration of communicating in foreign language at that time. 
  Later, I got used to live in Geneva. I enjoyed a life in Geneva because I could take good classes of ballet and found some friends and nice cafés to enjoy. Probably, the life got easier when I started to speak French.

2010: Cities on Volcanoes 6 was held in Tenerife, Spain. In this conference, I started to communicate other researchers from all over the world. I was very busy everyday for discussions. Until the last moment of the last day of the conference, I discussed with someone about my research. I thought this conference was very successful for my study and career. After this conference, I started to contact other researchers from other countries.

Columnar joint of lava like a rose flower in Tenerife island

Discussing with other attendant of COV6

Year 2011 was hard time for me because I was writing my thesis. Early 2011, Japanese were shocked by the earthquake and tsunami in Japan. I guess all Japanese had somewhat mental problem even we are out from Japan. This hard period continued until very end of the year.
I canceled to attend the IUGG conference but I participated in the conference about Lagrangian modeling of atmosphere. (Conference site is here) It was unexpectedly interesting conference!
I could meet many people working for atmospheric modeling. My presentation was poster presentation and we discussed until midnight! I was exhausted but felt so satisfied. 
I finished writing my thesis about numerical modeling of Tephra dispersal and ballistic bombs on 30th December. I sent it to my supervisor and had a warm new year party at my friend's house.

2012: I defended my PhD! I became a doctor.

However, I had some problems of revising my thesis. And so, even though I moved to Hawaii, I couldn't enjoy my life 100%. I used my time and money for healing myself. I guess this period was very important for me because I looked myself and tried to understand. With this process, I met many great people. The land of Hawaii healed me gradually. Finally, I noticed that I love this land very much! So, you can see my posts in this blog.

This year (2013), I moved back to Japan. 
Just before coming back to Japan, I stayed in  Big Island with Prof. Ui (professor emeritus of Hokkaido University) and Prof. Yoshimoto (assistant professor of Hokkaido  University). We had field trip together in Big Island and I could have chance to see many geological points where I wanted to visit. Actually, these two professors were supervisor and student. They are connected strongly. Although I was not in Hokkaido University, I feel strong connection with them probably because we all have a passion for hazard mitigation and geological work of volcanology.

Field trip around Green Sand Beach in Big Island with students and two professors from Hokkaido University.

Then, IAVCEI meeting was held in Kagoshima from 20 to 24 July.

My poster for IAVCEI 2013

Now, I have many friends in Japan and in other countries. They all support me. Otherwise, I would not be here as a volcanologist. I feel wonderful to work as a volcanologist and I would like to say THANK YOU to everybody who supported me.
My work and my life as a volcanologist continues...

16 years in volcanology-Part 1

I attended the meeting of International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth's Interior (IAVCEI, 2013) in Kagoshima, Japan. 
One professor gave me photo files with a USB stick. When I opened it, I found a lot of photos in these 15 years. It reminds me of these 16 years since I started my volcanological career.

1997: I firstly joined the meeting of young volcanologist in Japan. It was in Unzen area.
I met Mr. Y, Mr. I, Mr. F, Mr. M, Mr. G, Mr. T etc... whom I met in the meeting this year. I didn't know anything about the volcanology, but they taught me a lot and I enjoyed this meeting. Especially, I was impressed by a guy who had already started the activity of hazard mitigation even though he was a young master student. He had an enthusiasm for hazard mitigation.

1998: This is a year I found my mentor. Prof. Okada was a professor of Hokkaido University and he worked in the Usu Volcano Observatory. I asked him for the internship during summer vacation. He accepted me and I stayed at volcano observatory for 10 days. He took me to many volcanoes in Hokkaido.

1998 Kid's school of Usu volcano

At first, we climbed up to the top of the volcano with kids. They repeat this summer school for an education of hazard mitigation for long years. (Maybe around 20 years) Some famous volcanologists joined this program and it was my honor to join this program.

Steam vent of Hokkaido  Komagatake volcano

We went to Hokkaido  Komagatake, which is located in the Oshima peninsula in Hokkaido. This volcano make really explosive eruptions and there are some steam vents on the summit area. We observed these vents with handy thermal camera. Jun, son of Prof. Okada joined this trip. He was a first year student of the university and I was a third year student at that time. Now, we are both researchers of volcanolgy!

Outcrop of Komagatake

As I was more geologist than geophysicist at that time, Prof. Okada showed me an outcrop of deposits from Komagatake volcano. Even though he has a meeting in Sapporo next day, he decided to stay around volcano in the night. In the next morning, we approached the outcrop. 

Kameiwa of Showa shinzan

Showa Shinzan is a special volcano for me. I read a book about Mr. Masao Mimatsu who observed the eruptive activity when the lava dome of Showa Shinzan is formed. I was moved his passion for observing the eruption and I started to think about becoming a volcanologist. On the day we climbed up to the volcano, we measured temperature of Kameiwa which is a part of volcano where we can detect high emission of heat.

Lava dome of Tarumae volcano

Tarumae volcano is mysterious. Its dome emerged in only two days of 1909. The top of the volcano was covered by cloud for two days and nobody could see how it formed. Lava of this dome is rich in plagioclase. When I saw the rock, I was happy to find a big crystal in it.

It was only 10 days but I felt it was like a month because I learned a lot. A passion for hazard mitigation of Prof. Okada was great!! I am very impressed by him and I thought "I would like to be a volcanologist like him". He tried to make a good relationship with people around the volcano. He talked to people and ask how they were. People know him and talk to him wherever we go.  He was a  "home doctor" of the volcanoes. I am very much impressed. I think this was my starting point. I started to think to be a professional volcanologist after this experience.

In year 2000, I entered graduate school of University of Tokyo for my master's degree.
Just one day before I start my master's degree, Usu volcano started its eruption.

Eruption of Usu volcano in 2000
(reference: http://factsanddetails.com/japan.php?itemid=867)

I chose University of Tokyo because I wanted to study numerical simulation. If I had chosen Hokkaido University, I could have worked for this eruption. I thought "Oh my god! I made a wrong choice!".

To be continued...

Nagoya and Hawaii

I moved to Nagoya, Japan on May 29th. I organized inside my apartment which is much smaller than the apartment in Hawaii. I can't have a good view from the window. I don't have a big balcony. However, it is fine because I feel safe even without a security of the building. This is an amazing point of our country!

Today, I visited Nagoya Hawai'i Festival today. It was cloudy. In spite of such unpleasant weather, many people were enjoying this festival. I was thinking a reason why I visited this festival... I think I miss Hawaii even though I didn't really like to live in Honolulu. It's surprising for me to miss Hawaii!

I found several things which I liked in Hawaii.

Matsumoto Shave Ice from Haleiwa

When I visited Haleiwa with my friends, we bought some goods at Matsumoto shave ice. Shave ice is called "Kakigori (カキ氷)" in Japanese and I guess Hawaiian shave ice is imported to Hawaii by immigrants from Japan. "Matsumoto" is Japanese family name.

Garlic shrimp

I like several things among Hawaiian cuisine. One of them is this, Garlic shrimp! Whenever I went North shore in Oahu, I ate garlic shrimps. Also, I got garlic shrimp from the International Market place in Waikiki from time to time. I liked Blue Water's garlic shrimp. I also tried to cook myself. The secret of this taste is... Tomato! (just a little bit). I didn't eat garlic shrimp today, but I know it is delicious.

Hall for Hula concert and shops (Oasis 21)

 Not only foods, but also Hula dance attracted many people. Look, how many people were gathering in the hall! At that time, there were invited dancers from Hawaii performed Hula.

Hula dance of Hawaiian dancer

In Honolulu, I often saw "Hawaiian" dancers. However, it is very rare to see them here in Nagoya. That's why many people pay attention to their dance. The enthusiasm for Hula of people in Nagoya is amazing!! Actually, there are many Hula schools in Nagoya. It is very interesting because I didn't find any Hula school in Europe. Japanese likes Hawaii very much in general.

the Gallery of Heather Brown

I also found the interesting thing. Do you know Heather Brown? She is an artist living in Hawaii, but she is not Hawaiian. She is from mainland of United States. It was a bit weird to have a gallery only for her. There are many local artists in Hawaii and I like their works. However, masterpieces of others are not introduced here. I guess it is because Japanese company promotes Heather's work. One gallery in Honolulu who exhibit many Heather's work is owned by Japanese guy. It means... if an artist can catch the heart of this Japanese company, his/her work will be well treated with Japanese as a symbol of Hawaii, I guess...

Strangely, I found another place to miss... Switzerland!

Bakery from Switzerland

Look at the flag! It is Swiss bakery in the same building of Hawaii Festival. I went inside and found Japanese bread. Oh no! Where is "Tresse"? I couldn't find some typical Swiss bread. Tresse is everywhere in Switzerland especially during weekend. This bakery is too modified for Japanese. I found Anpan, Melonpan etc... which I can't find in Switzerland.

Chocolate café of Lindt

I found another Swiss shop in Sakae area (the center of Nagoya city). You know that Switzerland is famous for milk chocolate! One company opened a chocolate café there. I bought some milk chocolate which I often bought when I was in Switzerland.

I was exhausted today by walking a lot around Sakae area, but it was fun! I'd like to find more interesting things in Nagoya.

Leaving Hawaii

I left Hawaii on 15th April. On the day before, my friends from our university came to have a drink with me even though it was heavily raining. I appreciate their kindness!!　

For leaving Hawaii, I felt a lot of warmth of my friends and colleagues.

My group of work prepared a BIG chocolate cake with a volcanic PLUME (steam). It was very nice to receive a present and a card with their messages! I had days sometimes difficult work there, but I could obtained nice friends and colleagues. I won't forget days with them!!!

Chocolate cake for my farewell party

The ballet school where I danced (Alive Ballet Academy), I wanted to have photos of them. This ballet school is so friendly and the level of dancing was very goood! They were like a family and I was accepted as the family. My teacher Ms. Maria proposed me to teach the ballet. I appreciate her suggestion though it didn't make true because I left Hawaii just after she suggested me. It might be great if I can teach ballet as I love ballet and I love them!
If I could come back to Hawaii in the future, I would like to teach ballet. So I promise not to quit dancing. I dream of coming back to Hawaii with a better technique of ballet (I will have ballet classes in Japan!)

Our ballet family!

With Ms. Maria

Dr. Sakai is a therapist of Thought Field Therapy (http://www.tftcenter.com). I went to see her because I had a mental problem. I had a little bit of difficulty after I moved to Hawaii. And so my Japanese friend recommend me to see Dr. Sakai.
It was very efficient therapy for me. I shed a lot of tears when I saw her for the first time, and I washed away my sadness and depression. I regained my energy for the work after this session.
Actually, she is a person who experienced a lot of difficulty of her life. And she became a very helpful person after she had overcome her problem. She went many places such as an area after the genocide or natural disaster. She saved me, too! I shed tears again because of her warm heart, this time. (I can't introduce her words of the last session, as it was very personal, sorry)
Now, I am thinking to learn how to arrange  TFT for others. In fact, I would like to help someone. This is maybe the way TFT spreads in the world. I think it is amazing that I want to help someone else now!! When I had a depression, I couldn't think about someone else at all. I was very selfish at that time. She changed me. I have now a positive energy to go forward slowly.



I am grateful for everybody I met in Hawaii.

THANK YOU!!

Last Trip to Big Island

 I went to many times to Big Island (Hawaii Island), but this is the last chance during this stay (1 year from April 2012) in Hawaii. The trip in March supposed to be a last trip, but I got another chance to visit Big Island because my friend came to Hawaii for her vacation and she wanted to visit Big Island. She asked me to show the volcano which I worked for one year. Yes, I showed her the fantastic nature of this volcano!

The last shot of Halemaʻumaʻu Crater.

We looked Halemaʻumaʻu crater from the overlook beside the Jagger Museum. Do you know Dr. Jagger ?? He is a founder of the Hawaii Volcano Observatory. Last year (2012) was a 100th year for Hawaii Volcano Observatory and they made memorial coins of quarters.

Memorial quarter for 100 years of Hawaii Volcano Observatory

We also looked my field (Pu' Puai/Kilauea Iki) and Thurston Lava tube.
The day we went to the Volcano National Park, we were very tired to arrive at a hotel in Kona because we couldn't find the hotel in Hilo side. It was because of Merrie Monarch Festival. It must have been great if I could see the festival. It is the top Hula competition in Hawaii! I love to see the Hula dance. Anyway, do you know how long does it take from the Volcano national park to Kona??
We took more than two and a half hours. When we arrived at the hotel, it was already around 8pm.  The road was dark and narrow... Next time, I strongly wish to have an accommodation in Hilo side or close to the volcano.

By the way, it has been 10 years since I visited Kona town last time. It was the time I came to attend the conference called Cities on Volcanoes 3. We went to see the Pu`uhonua O Hōnaunau National History park. It was nice to see the traditional Hawaiian site. Especially, I was happy to see the place related to Queen Ka'ahumanu and King Kamehameha 1st. Actually, I started to like the history and culture in Hawaii because I read the book about the bibliography of King Kamehameha 1st (Link to the amazon of this book). It is written in Japanese by Japanese author (it's a pity that English speakers can't read this). Their life was romantic and dramatic if the book tells the truth. 
 This time, we didn't visited the national historical park but visited the Hulihee Palace in Kona. We can't see the inside of the palace, but the building itself was beautiful and modern. I deamed to live in such beautiful house. In fact, it was not very very big palace.

Hulihee palace

 In Kona, we had relaxing time. We stayed at the cafe next to the ocean for a while... What a peaceful moment! (compare to the hard driving the night before).

The scenery from the cafe by the sea

 As my friend wanted to buy the Kona coffee, we visit several coffee shops in Kona. We found one shop and talked with a shop keeper. He explained some coffee types and gave us tasting samples. It was fun to listen to his talk. I dream to live in Big Island and have an organic farm. So it must be nice to have a contact of a guy who knows how to cultivate the land, I thought. His explanation was interesting and the coffee was good although I prefer stronger taste like European style espresso. (I got addicted to the espresso when I was in Geneva, Switzerland). 

Joe (a shop keeper of the coffee shop: right) and me (left).

My friend liked Big Island very much. She said that we had a supporting god during the travel. Maybe... yes. I always feel so fun to see around in Big Island. I am impressed nature and history each time I visit Big Island. I hope I can come back to Big Island someday.

Happy Easter Holiday

Pineapple train of Dole Plantation

On Easter Sunday, we went to Dole Plantation in Oahu Island. A train called "Pineapple express" is a popular excursion of this park. Children like this train which goes through the pineapple field. So, we went there for my friend's daughter. They are very happy family and I really love to hang around with them.

My friend and his daughter waiting for the train

Family photo in the train "Pineapple express"

Do you know that pineapples are so delicious in Hawaii? Yes, it is very good because they are gathered when they are almost ripe. It's nice for us to have a piece of pineapple just after getting off the train. And another popular thing in Dole Plantation is Pineapple ice cream. I love it!

 

 

I am holding a pineapple ice cream (Waffle Cone $4.95)

Actually, the history of Hawaii is related to the pineapple and sugar cane fields. Many people came to Hawaii from Asian countries including Japan. I heard somewhere that the condition of labors were not so good.  They worked hard and feel the gap with their dream. Most of people from Japan expected to have easier life in Hawaii and that's why they decided to come to Hawaii. I was very happy to eat such delicious ice cream. However, the taste of history of pineapple plantation was a little bitter.

Anyway, the daughter of my friend were very happy with the train and ice cream. We shared two ice creams, but they ordered another one as it was so delicious!

After we get back to Honolulu, I introduced my boyfriend to them. This was the first time for me to introduce my boyfriend to someone else. So, it became unforgettable day for me.

Happy Happy Easter!!

Aiming higher

Finally, I leave Hawaii on next Monday.
It is the moment I feel a lot of things.
I have to say good bye to many people for the moment and so I am a little sentimental.
For my work, I also think many things.

Last year, I had good motivation for my new project. It was great to see many people in Hawaii and to discuss with people in similar field and different field. However, I had a difficulty as well. My supervisor said that I can't use the data which I supposed to analyze. Maybe it was just because the data was not yet available, but I felt it was a political problem. Actually, I couldn't clarify the truth and I lost much motivation for my new project.

However, nature saved my motivation.

Halemaumau Crater in the day

Halemaumau Crater in the night

Halemaumau crater, which erupted in 2008 (most recent eruption), still emits hot gas. During the night, we can see red color because there is a hot lava lake in the crater. I was very happy to see such mysterious nature.
Even though I worked for simple tasks in the field such as digging, measuring bombs and taking grain-size sample, I feel happy to be on the volcano.

Digging the ground to take out the volcanic bomb

My field work is not fancy at all!!

Today, I discussed again with one guy. He gave me a good advice to work as a researcher. He is quite cheerful person as well. I am actually very honored to discuss with him because he is an specialist in numerical modeling of volcanic eruption. I asked him about the support, but he can't support me as he is already retired. However, he said that he recommends me to be independent ... with a smile.

"Wow, it must be great to be independent!", I thought. I was pouting like a small child when I lost some motivation for the work. If I will be independent, I don't need to rely on someone and pout like a child. I can be an adult as a researcher. And... it is possible, I thought.

I made an mind. I aim to be independent as a researcher. Aiming higher!!!

A journey

Poster picture of "A journey" the performance of ballerinas from Allive Ballet Center

The story was...
Three young mermaids leave their watery home for the outside world on the advice of a lying shark. By the end of their adventures, the trio learns the key to the true meaning of happiness. 

The ballerinas performed on the stage of Paliku Theater, in the Windward community college on Saturday 31st. And I went there for helping them. I was very happy to be involved in this show. Actually, I wanted to perform by myself but it was difficult for me to have time to prepare.Therefore, I wanted to be in the supporting side of the show. My role was a chaperon of little ballerinas. It was fun to be with them. At first, they have just ignored me but later that they started to talk with me. I was happy only with this fact.
The scenery of backstage reminds me of my childhood. I also danced ballet on the stage when I was 5, 7 and 16 years old. I didn't know that it is hard to take care of children in backstage. At that time, my mother was taking care of my sister and me. And she worked as a leader of all chaperons when I was 16 years old because she had an experience of several stages of us. I feel grateful for her now.

The show itself was really impressive. They danced very well. I even noticed how they improved their basic skills of dancing. Also the production and the staging was nice because my ballet teacher Maria worked hard for that. I liked the background with water and fishes. It was a pity that I couldn't take the picture as it was prohibited.

I got a nice picture with my friend. She started ballet recently and she worked so hard. Now her dance is beautiful! I am very impressed her presentation. She improved not only the skill of steps but also the way of showing.

My friend and me

She introduced me this ballet school and I am sure that this is a best ballet school in Honolulu. It is very important to have an enthusiastic and encouraging  teacher. Plus ... everybody enjoys dancing!

Here, I can feel that everybody likes dancing. I only have two weeks in Honolulu. Maybe I can take only two classes or three classes at this ballet school. I would like to enjoy dancing as much as possible!!!

One of the most beautiful sisters in out school

At last... I'd like to introduce our star sisters. There are many beautiful ballerinas in our school but I just got a picture of one of them. Thank you for the nice performance to all ballerina performed on Saturday.

Trip to Big Island

Kau Coffee is getting popular these days in Hawaii. Kona coffee has already a reputation in the world but the Kau is not so famous. It is grown around volcano and the taste is actually almost the same level as Kona coffee. Some people says it is even better than Kona coffee. I don't see the big difference and I like both. We found the Kau coffee place on the way to Green Sand Beach.

Kau Coffee factory

 It was fun to talk with the shop keeper. She designed the label of the coffee and her arts are also in the shop. The designed squash (Hyotan in Japanese) was on the table.

Designed squash in the shop of Kau coffee factory

Later, we went to Green Sand Beach and the Hualalai to look for the xenolith of olivine. Xenolith is a name of the rock which magma took from the part of the mantle. Upper mantle include a lot of olivines (peridotite), and so sometimes we can see such green rock in the lava flow. We, geologists are so excited to find such big batch of olivines.

Olivine Xenolith in the Lava flow of Hualalai volcano

 On second day, we had a break as a volcanologist and had a tourism to Waipio Valley. It is not totally volcanological field trip, while it was a chance to see how volcanoes make beautiful scenery. In fact, it is great to see the variety of nature in Big Island. Local people come to the beach in Waipio Valley with a 4WD car and they enjoy beautiful beach. If we had time and swimming suits, we could have swam there! It's my dream to swim there.

Waipio Valley

Even though I visited Big Island many times, I didn't reach petroglyph. I don't know the age of these petroglyphs exactly but I guess it is not so old. It is quite interesting to have such petroglyphs in Hawaii because their language didn't have own characters for writing, someone said. Is it true??? Maybe they had some writing signs even though it was primitive. These petroglyphs remind me of the evolution of Chinese characters.

Petroglyph

象形文字 (http://baike.steelhome.cn/doc-view-8893.html)

 You can compare these characters from ancient china. They are called Shoukei Moji (in Japanese) and 象形文字 (in Chinese and Japanese).  So there was a possibility that they had own characters in Hawaii.

At last, I would like to introduce a food in Big Island. One of the most popular food is "Loco Moco".I heard one senate (Japanese-American guy from Hawaii) liked this Loco Moco at Cafe 100. This time, I ordered "Kilauea Loco Moco" because I am working for Kilauea Volcano! It was with 2 spams, several small sausages... etc. Heavy!!! I couldn't finish it. The amount of the meal was DYNAMIC as volcanic eruption.

Kilauea Loco Moco at Cafe 100

I thought this might be a last chance to visit Big Island before I leave Hawaii. However, there is another chance Next Week! My friend from Japan will visit me and we will again go to Big Island. It is the period of Merry Monarch Festival. It must be crowded but so fun!!!