Lava Update
April 2008
Aloha from lower Puna,
On March 4, 2008 the new flow we had been waiting for made it down to where it was accessible to a large percent of the people here in Hawaii. I myself was one of those persons also. On March 4 I started photographing the wonderful splendors of the new Waikupanaha flow. I had never photographed the lava from the land before as all my work was done from my boats the Vamonos and Vamonos 2. But I strongly feel that when you see these photographs you will see what I saw and that is the whole aspect of the lava is exciting, intriguing, mysterious, and silently deadly. Never before did I realize the dangers one could possibly face in pursuit of these photographs. If I felt crashing my boat was exciting, standing on a skylight not knowing the crust of lava was only inches thin and should it have collapsed I would have been vaporized in less than a second. Needless to say I left that area as soon as I realized the danger of the area. Twice while walking through the fields I have fallen in where I sincerely thought I was gone. But luckily for me I never fell in farther than my hips. The thin crusts of the lava fields is one of the major dangers people have to face in pursuit of their adventures. With all that said I leave these photographs for your enjoyment and pleasure.
P. S. These photographs were taken with a Sony A100 DSLR 10.2 megapixel camera. I think somewhere between March 4 to March 23 as I shot every morning I lost one of these cameras to the big surf that was running that day. Ouch! But nevertheless I purchased another one and kept shooting. My only regret is that you were not there with me to share in this adventure. Stay posted for phase 4.
Aloha from Kalapana,
Jose "Vamonos" D. Martinez
February 2008
Aloha,
Aloha again,
Here are some updates as the lava approaches the Royal Gardens subdivision. The lava flow is huge and is moving at a very good pace. In some of these photographs you will note a large tube the lava has found and is draining into it the result being that old hollow tube systems from previous flows are now helping the new flow find its way to the "lava's end" or the ocean's magma entry. It is now down on the plain and I hope to update with new ocean entry photographs in the near future. I feel the lava will come in before summer. If anyone would care to guess a date e-mail me. I will write it down and whoever comes the closest will get a disc of that day's shooting for just joining the fun.
Aloha from Kalapana,
Jose D. Martinez
P. S. I have put in a few other photos for your enjoyment also. Keep in touch for future updates.
Phase II
Aloha,
Welcome to Phase 2. I hope you enjoy these photographs as they are a little different from the first gallery and they show a different facet of the Big Island as seen through my eyes. Note: In June 2007 the lava stopped entering into the ocean but it is presently on a course that should have it at the ocean in about 2 to 4 months and I strongly believe that it is going to enter where I lost the Vamonos being inbetween the Laeapuki and Ka'ili'ili flows. Will keep you posted and if and when it does enter the ocean my new boat the Vamonos 2 and I are ready for its boiling water welcome mat and its awesome splendor.
Jose D. Martinez
Last Voyage of the Vamonos
Aloha again. It is with a sad heart and with tears in my eyes that I must report that a large rogue wave sunk the Vamonos at sunrise November 15, 2006 while filming the Ka'ili'ili and Lae'apuki flows. It was by the grace of God that I escaped with my life as I was under water for a long, long time as the force of the wave had me pinned upside down in my boat. With great difficulty I managed to free myself of all "the snags" that could cause a person to "wrap up" in anchor ropes, etc and drown. When I reached the surface I realized that the force of the wave had broken my boat in half as easily as you and I would break a toothpick. The swim onto the island was just as dangerous and exciting as having just sunk my boat. The large waves were breaking mercilessly on the cliffs. Using my diving experience judgment I bided my time inching my way in and rode a large wave in. Once free of the ocean's clutches I stood naked with just a life jacket. I walked towards Kalapana like a wounded animal seeking its lair. When I got to the Ka'ili'ili flow I was stopped by the lava as I was barefoot and naked. It was there that a Paradise Helicopter Tours pilot, Miles Stephens, saw me standing naked with my life jacket on in the middle of the lava field. This man had presence of mind to realize that I was in trouble and came to my rescue. I owe my life or at least being saved from permanent hotfoot to Paradise Helicopter Tours as it was they who rescued me. It was after I was safe and sound back in Kalapana that I found out there was a tsunami warning for our side of the island due to an earthquake in Japan. I am not certain but I feel one of those waves got me for when I looked up the wave was towering way over my head. Please stay in touch for the next adventure as I will continue to film the lava as soon as I can get my hands on a new boat and three new cameras.
Jose D. Martinez
P. S. Until I get my new boat I will use this opportunity to photograph the Big Island from the land's point of view as I am sure you will find these photographs different, a little tamer, not as wild but just as beautiful. Because it is not possible to love only one part of the Big Island. I love it all. So please keep in touch and if at all possible try not to find yourself naked and barefoot in the middle of the two lava flows as I did. Aloha, Jose.
October 2006 Update
Aloha again. To those who have been following the growth of the Big Island via my photographs, thank you. And to those who have purchased my photographs both online and in my small gallery in Kalapana, mahalo nui loa. Thank you for helping me keep my business and dream alive. I was very fortunate to be at the lava flow during the earthquake on October 15, 2006. The explosions at that time were stronger than anything I have ever witnessed. Lae'apuki and Ka'ili'ili keep extending their boiling water welcome mat to me where I photograph the ocean entry. I will continue to keep photographing the phenomena of the lava. Please stay in touch.
Aloha, Jose.
Late September 2006 Update
On the 24th and 30th of September 2006 I was able to get out to the Ka'ili'ili flow. A high suf was running and made the whole adventure exciting. It had stopped its widespread entry from the high cliffs and had funnelled itself into one extremely large lava tube entry. The large waves covering the fast-moving entry flow made for some dramatic explosions. This new gallery contains a few of the hundreds I saw these mornings. My only regret is that the photographs can't express the sounds of these explosions, as some of them hit my boat and the concussions pushed me back. Luckily this time I didn't catch my boat on fire as I have on seven previous trips filming explosions. Wish you could have been there with me.
Jose D. Martinez
East Ka'ili'ili Flow Part 2
Welcome again to the Lava's End. The East Ka'Ili'Ili flow has been spectacular and I was able to photograph six mornings in a row, taking one day off for a storm, and making two more trips afterwards. Here are some new photographs for your entertainment. These were all photographed between August 20 and September 4, 2006. Note the changes as the island grows and collapses before our eyes. Stay turned for the next update.
Special note: persons interested in video footage please contact me by e-mail as I have many hours of premium lava ocean entry footage from over the past six years.
Thank you for visiting the Lava's End. It would be great to hear from you.
Aloha from the Big Island,
Jose D. Martinez
East Ka'ili'ili and East Lae'apuki Flows
Welcome again and thank you for visiting The Lava's End.
Here are some new photographs from the new East Ka'ili'ili flow which began entering the ocean August 4 but I was not able to photograph it until the 12th and 13th of August 2006. You will find these photographs in our new East Ka'ili'ili gallery.
Meanwhile the East Lae'apuki ocean entry continues to flow unabated and the new Ka'ili'ili flow is gaining momentum. So now I have two ocean entries to share with you. For recent photographs of the flow please view our new East Lae'apuki gallery.
Ocean conditions have been challenging as I live on the windward side. Please note the photograph of the new Kalapana black sand beach which is being visited frequently by locals and visitors alike (the first photo in the East Ka'ili'ili gallery). The Pu'u O'o vent is clearly visible in the background and is the source of the lava I photograph. Please enjoy and stay tuned for the next update as we watch Hawaii grow before our very eyes.
Also note that Jose has hundreds of excellent photographs from past flows too numerous to put on the website. These will be available on DVD in the future.
If you'd like to be notified when we release our DVD, send us a message from our Contact page and we'll let you know!