Did I ever tell you I once spotted Pele?

I did.

Long ago, just before I met Ryan, I went on a circle island drive with a couple of friends of mine. Both were fellow transplants from the mainland.

I had done a little research about Hawaiian mythology before I moved here. I knew, for instance, that people reported sightings of the old girl. She supposedly still hangs around by the volcano and in Ka'u, usually wearing a white dress with a purple sash. She also reportedly carries around a small dog. Being the skeptical sort, I think I shrugged and thought "how quaint".

So these two friends of mine and I rented a car and started off driving to Kona. We went to Hapuna Beach; then walked around and took pictures at Puuhonua o Honaunau. We kind of aimlessly drove around sightseeing for a little while and, since we had camping gear with us, looked around for a likely spot to spend the night. At one point, around 9 or so at night, we found ourselves in Ka'u, which is the southern area of the Big Island, not far from the Volcanoes National Park.

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It was very dark; I think there was a new moon, because the sky was clear. We were possibly off the road. I was laying down in the back seat. My male friend was driving; my female friend was next to him. Suddenly, I heard my guy friend slam on the brakes and my girl friend shriek. I bolted up and saw a small person on the side of the road.

"What the hell was that?", someone asked.

"An old lady", someone else said.

"With her dog."

"She had a dog?", I asked.

"Yeah. Did you see that dress? It's like she was going to a party."

"Was it white?", I asked.

"Yes."

Pele.

You're supposed to offer a ride, says the legend, or she'll make you sorry. If I had been driving, I would have turned around. I was afraid the guy friend would make fun of me, so I didn't say anything. But now, whenever we go to the big island and we visit the Jaggar Museum, I walk by the wall with the portraits of Pele and I quietly say hello.

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