Native Hawaiians honor traditions at volcano

Glowing lava from the world's largest volcano is a sight to behold but for some Native Hawaiians, Mauna Loa's eruption has deeper cultural significance. Hawaiians have different relationships with the spirituality of lava. Some may pray in solitude. Some may gather in groups. There are also different relationships and connections to Pele, which some refer to as a god or goddess.

Some call her "Tutu Pele," using the word for grandparent. Pele is an important figure in Hawaiian culture, representing all the phenomena related to volcanoes, the magma, steam, ash, acid rain. So far, the tourism authority hasn't received any complaints about people getting in the way of cultural practices.