Fawn perused it, then handed it back to her. “Looks like we might be about to have another eruption. Maybe Mauna Loa is ready to sound off again.”
While it was impossible to predict eruptions, Mauna Loa was said to be “overdue” for one. The volcano had erupted thirty-nine times since 1832. In the last century, the events had occurred every one to twelve years. This latest lull, however, had gone on since 1984. The islands breathlessly awaited a new light show.
Annie’s excitement rose. “Maybe.” She looked back at the computer. “With this much activity, though, I wonder if we might get an explosive event.”
Jillian came into the room as she spoke. “You think? I’ve been wondering about it.”
“Don Swanson proved there have been some in the past,” Annie pointed out. “It could happen again. And my father’s data shows the same thing.”
Jillian leaned over Annie’s shoulder and looked at the computer. “Looks like we’ll be getting something. Let’s pray for a nice, gentle flow that doesn’t hurt anyone.”
Wilson growled, and Jillian turned to look. “I don’t know how you get away with bringing Wilson in here. I’m surprised Monica hasn’t complained.”
“She has, but Gina told her to mind her own business,” Fawn put in with a sly grin. “And Annie doesn’t bring him every day.”
Annie got up and grabbed her purse. “I think I’ll go put out some new GPS receivers on Mauna Loa.”
“Speaking of receivers, did you get Orson Kauhi to agree to let you plant them in his neck of the woods?” Jillian asked.
“No, but I’ll go to talk to him about it while I’m out.” She picked up Wilson and headed for the door.
“I still need your help on that computer model,” Jillian called after her.
“I know. Later, I promise.” She kept going, grabbed some GPS receivers, and headed to her SUV. Maybe she could get somewhere with her neighbor if she went out by herself. Orson might be more amenable to a woman alone. He’d always been more courteous to women. She stopped at her house and dropped off the mongoose, then drove on down the road to the Kauhi property. She parked where the road ended and walked up the hillside. It was a hard climb over the jumbled black lava rock. The hillside could have been a play yard for a giant tossing balls of lava rock.
At the crest of the hill, she paused and looked around for her neighbor. The air was still and silent but fragrant with the scent of flowers. The extreme silence gave her the willies. She saw movement to her left, so she began to wander toward a small structure. As she neared it, she realized it was a heiau. Constructed of lava rocks, the small structure held an altar. Orson knelt before it. A lei circled an offering of fruit and vegetables. He was chanting as he bowed. A ki’i frowned over the scene.
Annie clasped her arms around her and waited. How could he think praying to a god made of wood would gain him anything? Watching him, she was struck again by what Fawn had said to her about idolatry. Had Annie herself been worshiping at the feet of the god of her family? Had she really let her desire to be needed become her god? She was afraid her friend was right.
And the yearning would so easily creep back in. Though she’d begun to read her Bible every night before bed, she sensed it wouldn’t take much for the old habits and attitudes to take over her life again. Recognizing how much she loved her family, she knew her tendency was something she was going to have to guard against a long time, maybe all her life.
She shook away the thoughts as Orson rose. Dressed in traditional hula costume with ti leaves and a shell lei, he wore a contented smile. He turned and caught sight of her. The beatific expression on his face changed to a scowl. “I told you not to come here.”
“What god are you worshiping?” Annie blurted, her horrified gaze still on the temple.
“You have lived on the island all your life and still do not recognize Ku?” Orson shook his head. “How typical of the young ones.”
“Ku likes human sacrifice. How can you worship him?” Annie half expected to see blood dripping from the altar.
“Only on certain holy days. Ku’s four days of worship are here. Are you offering yourself as a sacrifice?” Annie backed away, and he smiled. “You can’t take a joke? I wouldn’t hurt you, Annie. We’re neighbors.” He said the words almost gently.
She dragged her gaze from the heiau. “Did you introduce Leilani to Ku worship?”
He studied her for a moment without answering. “Your sister is searching for meaning for her life. How could I not show her?”
He had gotten her involved. Annie’s excitement rose. “Do you know where she is?”
“I haven’t seen her.” He picked up a walking staff and began to walk back toward his cabin.
Annie fell into step beside him. “The mountain has been shaking lately. I really need to put out some GPS receivers. I promise to pick them up in a few days. I won’t leave them here indefinitely.”