The Lyman Museum’s 2014 calendar introduces the Jose “Vamonos” Martinez Photograph Collection to the public.
The Lyman Museum’s 2014 calendar introduces the Jose “Vamonos” Martinez Photograph Collection to the public.
Martinez donated 17,611 spectacular photographs of Kilauea’s ongoing Pu‘u ‘O‘o eruption from 2003-13, particularly of lava entering the ocean, 14 of which are featured in the calendar.
Originally from Malibu, Calif., Martinez arrived in Hawaii in 1976. He spent time on all the islands before eventually settling in Puna in 1989. In 1998, he bought his first boat, the Vamonos I, strictly for fishing and diving, but when he sailed past Kalapana for the first time and saw the lava, he knew he found his calling — photographing lava at ocean entry.
“It has proven to be a very dangerous calling: Martinez has endured hundreds of explosions, seven fires and the sinking of his first boat,” said museum spokeswoman Miki Bulos. “Crashing waves split the boat in half, sending Martinez through a lava tube. Miraculously, he and half his boat emerged through the other end and survived.”
Martinez generously donated his magnificent collection to the museum in “repayment” for the times when he, as an instructor for an at-risk program, was able to use the museum as a way to teach his students “about their beginnings and their culture,” said Bulos.
The collection is dedicated to Chiefess Kapi‘olani and English missionary William Ellis because Martinez considers himself “the fruit of their labors.”
The 2014 calendar is available in the Lyman Museum Shop, located at 276 Haili St. in Hilo. The shop is open 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Visit www.lymanmuseum.org.