Anyone who’s grown up in the Islands has either given, received or marveled at a piece of Hawaiian heirloom jewelry, the highly ornate, hand-engraved bracelets and pendants emblazoned with Hawaiian names or initials in an Old English-style font.

But where did this jewelry and its unique style come from?

Turns out the first Hawaiian bracelet was made in 1862 for the young Lydia Park, who later became Queen Liliʻuokalani, the last sovereign monarch of the Hawaiian Kingdom. The bracelet, which is now at ʻIolani Palace on Oʻahu, is inscribed with the words, “Hoomanao Mau,” which translates to “a lasting remembrance.” It was handcrafted by Honolulu-based jeweler Christian Eckart and emulated English Victorian designs popular at the time.

Since then, the Hawaiian bracelet has evolved to include tropical flower designs, raised lettering and scalloped edges. Today—more than a century and a half later—Hawaiian heirloom jewelry is still a symbol of love and friendship.

This story was originally published in our SPRING 2023 Issue. Buy a copy here. Better yet, subscribe and get HAWAIʻI Magazine delivered to right to your mailbox.

Catherine Toth Fox is the former editor of HAWAIʻI Magazine and continues to contribute to the website and print publication.

Hawaii’s most active and popular volcano, Kilauea, is preparing to put on a show as geologists forecast the volcano’s 44th eruption in the coming days.

The United States Geological Survey said that precursory eruption activity is occurring as the active volcano prepares to erupt – one of Earth’s most captivating natural spectacles.

According to the USGS, the forecast for the start of episode 44 is between April 6 to April 14.

On Saturday morning, the south vent overflowed at 6:11 a.m. HST, with lava flowing from the south vent at least 10 times through small dome fountains.

One of the most active volcanoes in the world, Kilauea has been erupting episodically within its summit caldera since December 23, 2024 – and is preparing to do so for the 44th time in the coming days.

Eruption episodes at Kilauea typically last from a few hours to one day, with some lasting up to 8 ½ days of lava flow.

When the volcano comes alive, it is a sight to behold.

Fountains of red to yellow lava shoot more than 1,000 feet in the air out of boiling lakes of lava – a scene that annually attracts crowds of tourists to Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park to witness the phenomenon.

For those fortunate enough to witness a Kilauea eruption, the natural spectacle is as dangerous as it is mesmerizing.

According to the USGS, the volcano lets off threatening hazardous gases, especially to those with heart or respiratory issues, infants, children and pregnant women.

When the volcano is erupting, unsafe ash is abrasive and can irritate eyes, skin and the respiratory system.

Can’t make the trip to Hawaii to witness the 44th episode? Don’t worry.

The USGS operates several live webcams at Kilauea, streaming continuously on their website—stay tuned for any signs of eruption. You won’t want to miss it.