An Offering Photo | TrekEarth

Photographer’s Note

An Offering to Pele, Volcanoes National Park, The Island of Hawai'i

At Volcanoes NP you are visiting one of the most active volcanoes in the world. In the last 10 years Hawai'i has added over 400 acres of land to the island by the eruption of Kilauea. Old traditions are still practiced in the islands and this is an offering to Pele the Goddess of the volcano or the Goddess of Fire, depending on which source you read. This small offering is on the rim of Halema'uma'u Crater which is inside the Kilauea Caldera. As you can see from the background, the crater is still active from the steam and gases rising. There were several vents (not shown) that have been or are spewing sulphuric gases as the vents are a bright yellow color. The bottom of the crater has cooled but the hot magma is not far below the surface.

I did not witness the placement of this offering since my wife and I arrived here about 90-minutes before sunset. (I am sure this ceremony took place at sunrise.) But, one of my friends witnessed one of these offerings several years ago and she described it has a very beautiful ceremony. This ceremony and offering was not done for the tourists or visitors but was done by someone following the historic traditions.

feather, isa, stego, jhm, sam224 has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

cdmonson (2751) 2007-02-22 18:30

Interesting shot John. I really like the idea and the subject. I would have zoomed in to the offering a little more, or cropped out some of the background--there's a lot of empty blurred space in the background. Otherwise, though, I really like it. Thanks for sharing.

Clark

stego (22350) 2007-02-22 19:27

Hi John,
A beautiful compo, using the contrast of colors and the dof to enhance the offering. The border of the crater gives a nice dynamism.
Congratulations, TFS.
Regards, José.

scalerman (25711) 2007-02-22 22:38

John: what struck me about your fine, still-life image, was the similiarity of the offering to another oceanic people: the Balinese. A great upload, thematically for TE. very well taken. regards, c

feather (49858) 2007-02-23 6:06

When we were there someone had left a bottle of beer, but that could have been a tourist. This is a well made offering which looks as if it was especially made. I really like the unusual composition. The blurred bg emphasises the distance away from the subject. Did you walk across the crater?
Kath

jhm (82185) 2007-02-23 6:29

Hi John,

A interesting note I've something learned today.
You chose for a vertical frame, this give a excellent composition, a nice picture in combination with the offer and the little bit blur background. Very well done! TFS.

Have a nice weekend,
John.

sam224 (5851) 2007-02-23 7:21

The colours of the leaves and the flowers on the ground create an interesting colourful spot on the ground catching the eye in this simple composition.
Good job.
Thanks for sharing

jmcl (13721) 2007-02-24 0:44

Hi John,

I love the bright colors of the offering against the vast and desolate place. Very thoughtful. Love the blurred background .. really emphasizes the scale.

take care,

John

vincz (19039) 2007-02-24 4:04

I have seen such things also when i was in Hawai. Really interesting pictures the only colours poping out of the grey/brownish surroundings being this unexpected offerings. Very well seen, very well done.

kmarscher (2881) 2007-03-15 14:26

Never saw a gift when i was there, darn. What a treat for a stunning shot. Well placed. Wouldn't mind a tad view of the horizon, and blue sky (?), but know it's not always possible
OR
Do as Clark, comment one, suggests.
Oh, just read your reply to him, too bad no blue sky. On the plus side, the gray really adds pop to the colorful offering.

darrasin (2860) 2007-08-27 20:15

Hello John! Very creative catch on your part. The vibrant colors of the offering contrast beautifully against the darker lava shades. The hazy steam in the background is well seen.

Well done!
Doug