Covering over half of the Island of Hawaii, Mauna Loa is sometimes referred to as a “sleeping giant” because it hasn’t erupted in 38 years after erupting nearly every 7 years in the early 20th century. However, Mauna Loa occasionally stirs in its slumber and reminds us that it will someday awake and erupt again.

Warm days have caused our gardens to flourish but this can mean too much of a good thing. Did you ever feel like giving up on your lawn and paving the whole thing? Of course you have, but let’s face it, it is not practical. Your neighbors would probably tar and feather you. Not only that, but you would not be really happy even if they didn’t. Your yard would look like a desert and feel like one too. Besides, the idea is to plant more trees, shrubs and turf to improve our environments.

The ongoing eruption at the summit of Kilauea hasn’t made the news recently, but that doesn’t mean the recent eruptive activity hasn’t been noteworthy. It’s just been operating quietly in the background, without much fanfare.

Let’s admit it, the world is getting hotter and this affects our island gardens. Hawaiian landscapes certainly have enough lava rock but may be lacking in water elements like streams, ponds, lakes and ocean frontage. In many other parts of the world, rock and water elements are used in the landscape to create a natural feeling and add interest to the design. Balinese gardens usually include not only naturalistic forms, but often, sculptured elements as well. In Japan the stone water basins that stand outside the teahouses are an example of rock and water used on a small scale. In almost any garden, the gentle sound and sight of water running over cool stones is refreshing.