The Burning Island is an intimate portrait of the Hawaiian volcano region-a land marked by a precarious tension between the harsh reality of constant geologic change, respect for mythological traditions, and the pressures of economic exploitation. Pamela Frierson's adventures at Mauna Loa and Kilauea provide a primer on how volcanoes work, surprising archaeological ruins, threatened rainforest ecosystems, and questionable real estate development. A classic of nature writing, The Burning Island sets the stage for a larger exploration of our need to respect and preserve nature, tradition, and indigenous cultures while balancing our ever-expanding use of the land. Book jacket.