Race the Lava Flow

Characters
Halau        Kaimana    Keali’i     Kimo        Malia         Narrator

Setting- A tropical volcanic island where a feast is taking place at the only village.

Scene 1
Narrator
Two boys, Malia and Kaimana sneak away from the feast because they are bored.

Malia
I’m glad we managed to get away without being seen.

Kaimana
So am I.  It’s such a beautiful day, just right for some fishing.  Let’s get one of the canoes.

Narrator
Soon, they arrive at the place where the canoes are kept- at the base of the volcano.

Malia
What’s that funny smell?

Kaimana
I’ve never smelled it before but I remember my grandfather talking about it.  I don’t think it’s a good thing.

Narrator
They look up at the volcano.  They see steam coming from a vent at the side of the volcano.

Kaimana
Look!  It’s the volcano!  Quick, we must warn the others.

Malia
No.  If we go to tell the others we’ll get into trouble for sneaking away.  Anyway they’ll be able to smell it, like we did.  They’ll know something is wrong.

Kaimana
But the wind is blowing the wrong way. They won't be able to smell it. We must warn them so that we can all get up the Far Hill to safety. 

Scene 2
Narrator 
Kaimana and Malia run to the village. Kaimana jumps up onto a chair. Just in front of him are his cousins Kimo and Keali’i.

Kaimana 
Everyone, stop dancing and singing. Quick, run to the Far Hill! The volcano's erupting!  

Kimo 
What do you mean, the volcano's erupting? How do you know? Where have you two been? 

Kaimana 
The volcano is erupting! Malia and I were down by the beach and we smelled the smell that grandfather used to talk about.  We also saw steam coming from the side of the mountain.  

Kimo 
Are you sure? You're not just playing silly games? 

Kaimana 
Of course I’m sure.

Kimo 
Kaimana and Malia, you must stay here. I'll go and check what’s happening.  Keali’i, gather the villagers together.  Start making your way to the Far Hill

Scene 3
Narrator 
Kimo runs off in the direction of the beach. The people of the village start gathering around. They are beginning to get worriedabout the volcano.

Keali'i 
Everyone, come close and listen. There's nothing to worry about. The volcano is just letting off some steam. It’s best that we all go to the Far Hill where we can watch in safety. Go and collect food and blankets. Only bring what you can carry. Then we will start moving. 

Halau 
What's happening? Is it safe? I can't smell anything. I can't see anything. Where do we go? 

Malia
Look at the volcano!  It's erupting! 

Scene 4
Narrator 
Lava bursts out of one of the vents on the volcano. Then, a river of lava begins to flow slowly out.

Halau 
We must run as fast as we can, but my legs won't carry me far. I'm too slow! 

Keali'i 
Don't worry. We'll help you. The lava hasn't reached us yet. But we must move fast as the lava will flow this way in a short time. Please, just stay calm and don't panic. We'll have time. 


Scene 5
Narrator 
The villagers are rushing about carrying food, clothes, and blankets. There is a lot of talking. The volcano is throwing lava bombs up into the sky. Loud bangs can be heard. People are ducking down after every explosion. Kimo appears again. She has a worried look on her face. 

Kimo 
We need to move quickly. This might be the big one. 

Kaimana 
What's that hissing noise? Where is that smoke coming from? 

Kimo
The lava flowing into the sea is making the hissing noise. And that isn't smoke, it's steam, which is caused by the lava boiling the sea. Keep going, everyone. We must hurry! 

Scene 6
Narrator 
The steam is making it hard to see and it is very hot. The noise from the volcano is deafening. 

Malia 
Aah! My leg! Help! I'm hurt! 

Narrator 
No one hears Malia over the sound of the volcanic eruption. He falls down and is unable to walk. He rolls off the path. No one hears his cries.

Keali’i
Keep going, everyone.  We’ll be safe on the Far Hill

Kimo
The lava will not be able to travel this far up the hill.  We can use the hill caves for shelter until it’s safe to return to the village.  Make sure everyone is here.

Kaimana
Where’s Malia?

Kimo
I don’t know.

Kaimana
Malia, where are you?  Malia, Malia, are you here?  Kimo, Malia is not here.  I must go and look for him.

Kimo
No.  You stay here.  Keali’i and I will go and search for him.

Kaimana
But he’s my best friend.  I want to come with you.

Kimo 
Is anyone else missing?

Halau
No, everyone is here.

Kimo
Keali’i come with me.  We must go and look for Malia.  Bring some rope.  We might need it.

Scene 7
Narrator
Kimo and Keali’i start looking for Malia.  They don’t realize that Kaimana is following them.

Keali’i
Malia! Malia! Malia!

Kaimana
Malia!  Where are you?

Kimo
Kaimana, it's not safe for a boy down here. We're too close to the lava. You should have stayed with the others.  Now you must stick close to us.

Malia
Help, help! I'm down here!

Narrator 
Kimo hears the faint sound of Malia's cries and looks over the edge of the path.

Kimo
Look, Malia is on top of that Kimo rock! Lava is creeping around the rock! 

Kaimana
How will we get him out? 

Keali'i 
Malia, we'll get you out very soon, but don't try to move yet.

Malia
The lava is getting very hot. 

Kimo 
We'll have to lift him out.

Keali'i 
We'll throw a rope over that tree. Malia, when you've got the rope, tie it around your waist. Then, we'll pull you out. 

Malia 
OK.

Kimo 
Malia, are you ready? 

Malia
Yes. Quick, ifs getting hot!

Kimo 
Everyone ready? Now, pull! 

Narrator 
Everyone pulls on the rope and Malia starts to lift off the rock. 

Keali'i 
You're safe now, Malia. OK? 

Malia 
My leg hurts. I can't walk. 

Kaimana 
You'll be all right. I thought we wouldn't find you. 

Scene 8
Narrator 
Soon, they are back with the rest of the villagers. 

Kimo
Gather together, everyone. The lava is moving fast and by now the village will be gone. 

Halau 
That is very sad. 

Kimo 
You are right, it is sad, but we will rebuild. When it is safe, we will rebuild the village. But, for now, we must share our food and water. Soon we will return. 

Narrator 
The villagers are sitting around looking very sad and talking quietly. It will be a few days before they can come down from the Far Hill. But at least they are all safe and no one has been killed.