Family uprooted by lava gives thanks

PAHOA >> A family whose life turned upside down when lava from the Kilauea Volcano set fire to their home of seven years said despite the recent challenges, they’ll be counting their blessings this Thanksgiving.

"We’re gathering with friends and family and having a potluck and we will be so thankful for the family here, our cousins and everybody in Kalapana helping us out. Be thankful for another day," said Margaret Byrd, whose family was renting the home on Apaa Street that was burnt down from the lava flow on Nov 10. 

The 54-year-old Hawaii island resident said the situation has uprooted her and her husband, two daughters, two granddaughters, along with nine cattle, two dozen birds, 40 rabbits and multiple goats. 

Unfortunately, some of the animals didn’t survive the stress of the move and Tropical Storm Iselle that hit the island in August. 

"The animals took it hard," she said.  "We lost five goats, three rabbits, half-a-dozen of the birds between the hurricane and the lava."

The family moved to safety on Oct. 1, and is currently staying on a relative’s ranch in Kalapana, an area outside of Pahoa. The children are living in a tent on the property and the move has more than doubled her husband’s commute to work each day, Byrd said.

When the news came out that the so-called June 27 lava flow could be a threat to the small rural community, Byrd had hoped that their home would be spared. But that all changed in a day, she said. 

"When we saw the house burn on TV, it was kind of a closure. It made it real. It’s gone. There’s nothing we can do about it. We have to carry on," she said. 

Currently, the family is taking it one day at a time, and Byrd hopes her family can build a house on her cousin’s property within the next year or so. 

"Or when we can afford it," she said. 

And since there’s been no federal money allotted for individuals so far, Byrd anticipates she’ll have to start from scratch.  

"We’re the only ones who have been affected and unless anyone else suffers any damages there will be no help for individuals," she said. 

But despite all the challenges in recent weeks, Byrd said she knows that her and her family will survive. 

"We have the pioneer spirit, you either live or you die, but you got to make the choice. I always tell my kids you either give up or you buy a bigger shovel and a higher pair of boots," she said.

Donations to Byrd and her family can be sent to P.O. Box 1266 Pahoa, Hawaii 96778.