Lava and Libations

Now known as Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, this expansive lava-molded region has long been known to Native Hawaiians as the home of the goddess Pele, who’s credited with building the Hawaiian islands with the fiery power of volcanoes and land-building. With the Earth’s largest active volcano, Mauna Loa, in the distance, and the rising smoke of Kilauea billowing into view, it might be difficult to understand how Volcano House has remained a destination for almost two centuries with such proximity to dangerous activity. Some, like one-time owner George Lycurgus, would say it is because Madame Pele wills it. 

It was in the late summer of 1934 that Lycurgus found himself at a difficult crossroads. Kilauea had not erupted for quite some time since he had re-purchased the property in 1932 (that’s a different story), and with nothing to show tourists the hotel was nearing bankruptcy. In desperation, the Greek businessman trekked down to the Halema‘uma‘u Crater of Kīlauea and tossed a bottle of gin into the pit as an offering to the fiery goddess to save him. A few hours later, lava began to flow from the crater, bringing an immediate influx of crowds and guests the next day.

Known as “Uncle George” by locals and guests alike, the genial Lycurgus would run Volcano House up until 1960 upon his death at the ripe age of 101. Since that fateful offering, George was steadfast in his belief in Pele, sitting by the fire regaling guests with stories about the park and its red-hot deity in residence. To the dismay of park rangers, he would reenact his fateful gin-throwing into the craters for visitors and hotel guests to keep the goddess satiated. With Volcano House now entering its 160th year, it appears the botanical spirit was the perfect offering.