Last Monday was a fun Pday, we traveled around with the Kea'au and Keaukaha elders and hit up a lot of shops around Hilo. Had to grab some Big Island specific tourist-like things while I'm here.
That night we exchanged with Kea'au so I went back to the Ka'u area with Elder Owens, only to have to turn BACK around and go to Kea'au again because Elder Owens accidentally brought his car keys with him. So by the time that round trip was done the day was half gone and we were only able to see a couple people. We did make French toast with the YW though so that was pretty dope.
Wednesday we went up to Hilo for interviews with President Bekker and that was another awesome experience. We talked through the ways Ka'u has improved and what needs to happen to really help it spring forward (basically whether this area should still have Elders or not). I gave him my two cents (that it should) but we will see what happens when transfers roll around in a couple weeks.
Thursday me and Elder Ferrin started week planning and felt a couple small earthquakes through out the day, nothing to worry about through. That evening however we went up to Kea'au again to help those elders be in two places at once only to find out right after we got there that Kilauea (Big Island's volcano) just erupted in Pahoa and that Leilani Estates was being evacuated because of it. We being the geniuses that we are of course went straight to Pahoa to see if there was anything we could do to help. The situation was pretty much under control but lots of people are having to live in shelters right now. Pretty sad, though no one was hurt. Not much you can do about a volcano except let it run its course and get out of the way.
Friday we carpooled with the Kea'au elders up to Waimea for the Big Island Zone Conference. The theme of the conference was building your personal testimony. Halfway through the conference during a special musical number we were hit by a 5.4 earthquake that shook the building pretty good. After confirming that the rest of the island was still there we went on with the program. About an hour later while having lunch we were hit by another quake that was a bit more violent (6.9) but ultimately we were all fine and nobody got hurt. We were pretty far from the epicenter so I guess having the conference so far north was inspired (Usually the conference is in Hilo which is where the quake was worst). We kept on going though and finished out the conference. I was called on to give a talk so I shared a bit on overcoming doubts and improving our personal conversion, it was a fun time.
With all that behind us we started calling our members and investigators to see if they were ok. Everyone came out alright however there was a bit of a scare since Punalu'u was showing signs of tsunami, but it passed without an incident (Punalu'u is about a 10 minute drive from where I live). All in all hectic day but not one that will be forgotten.
Saturday and Sunday were really our only days to proselyte and they were pretty slow. Given the craziness of the rest of the week I was kinda ok with that. Saturday we went to a Coffee festival in Pahala and mingled with a bunch of different people. Sunday we once again taught most of Elders Quorum and did our usual visits. One of our investigators Gary Kaawa is down with a bad infection on his foot so we taught him about priesthood blessings and gave him one. It was an awesome and super spiritual experience. Good way to close out the week.
Sorry this email was so long, just figured you all wanted to know about everything that went down. We are all safe and still waiting to see what the church wants us to do to aid the relief efforts. The missionaries serving in Pahoa and Waikahe have been temporarily moved to another pad but they are still proselyting in their areas. Also Elder Ferrin's eyes are not liking all the vog and sulfur in the air right now so prayers for him. And as a closing note the glow from the volcano at night legit looks like Hell, sketchy but cool at the same time. Anywho have a great week and know that not even the forces of nature can stop this work from progressing.
Lava you guys!
Elder Smith
Hawai'i Honolulu Mission
1500 S Beretania St. ste 416
Honolulu HI 96826
1. May 1st was Lei Day. No idea what's it's celebrating and I don't think anyone else does either I just used it as an excuse to wear my Kukui nut lei
2. While on exchanges a member gave me and Elder Owens a huge spider decoration so naturally I put it in Elder Ferrin's bed. He wasn't a fan, I had a good time though.
3. Cain Spider, the second most annoying venomous pest in Ka'u
4. Didn't know you could make clothes that broke the word of wisdom. Science man.
5. The Pahala festival had Krispy Kreme donuts so naturally we grabbed some.
6. I was very excited to eat a donut
7. Hilo Zone
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