On May 3, 2018, the landscape of Hawai‘i Island began to unfold along Kilauea’s East Rift Zone, specifically in the Puna area. Molten lava emerged, marking the most significant eruption in over two centuries. Twenty-two fissures unleashed a torrent of lava, carving an eight-mile river. This fiery stream sliced through the heart of the Leilani subdivision, leaving a trail of devastation that extended to coastal vacation homes. The destruction displaced more than 2,000 residents and destroyed 700 homes, farms, and businesses. This cataclysmic event marked a transformative chapter in the history of Hawai‘i Island, giving birth to 875 acres of new land. The lava’s entry into the ocean reconfigured and expanded the island’s geographic footprint by over 1 ½ miles.