Hedonisia Pre-Eruption Community History

Archival History of Our Rainforest Eco-Community in Hawaii

The history of Hedonisia Hawaii eco community spans 14 years as an ecofeminist sanctuary in the Lower Puna rainforest. Before its destruction by the May 2018 Kilauea volcano eruption, the community restored polluted land, welcomed international volunteers, and operated a holistic model for activist living and gender equality.

A Brief Community History of Our Rainforest Home in Hawaii

When we purchased the land in 2004, it was a junkyard with rusted vehicles strewn around the property. Our iconic volcanic crater was filled with garbage, tires, and scrap metal.

Jungle foliage had grown over much of the junk. It was only when we began to clean up the land that we realized what a gigantic polluted mess we had bought!

Slowly, over the years, and with the enthusiastic help of many Volunteers and Interns, we began to restore the land to its natural beauty. At our own expense, we removed 18 junked vehicles left by the previous owner. We also took out 7 truckloads of industrial garbage and over 50 tires from the property.

Note: The Intern Community Manager program has ended. Meet our former interns on the Community Intern Alumni page, or see the current Hedonisia Residential Camping Internship.

As you can see in our Community Photo History, there were still a few old vehicle relics around the property from the pre-Hedo days. However, the land was mostly restored to its natural beauty.

Our volcanic crater became one of the most popular attractions on the property. We divided the property into 26 jungle gardens that were either decorative or produced food for our volunteers and guests.

Our environmental work did not stop there. We were active in local politics, supporting legislation that protects communities such as ours that face continual government persecution.

Though we did a lot of land and agricultural work, our community continued to evolve and was never stagnant.

We operated as an ecofeminist community. We specialized in female empowering Mind, Body, and Heart work. Men were welcome to be part of the community working for gender equality.

Why Were We Located Here? A Creative Community in Lower Puna

This is the land of Pele, ka wahine ʻai honua, the woman who eats the land. When we purchased the land that became Hedonisia, we knew there was always the possibility of a lava flow affecting us. After all, our location is officially designated as Lava Zone 1.

The intentional communities of the Puna region provided most of the green jobs and sustainable development in the Puna area. They were protected by the volcano, but always with the realization that everything built could be taken away in molten lava.

One of the ironic benefits of living on an active volcano is that nobody can build a 5-star hotel here! Insurance rates and bank financing are very difficult to obtain in high lava zones.

As a result, high-rise buildings, strip malls, and other big developments that have ruined much of Hawaii's natural beauty are simply not feasible here. Property values were relatively low, which encouraged idealistic people from around the world to move to Hawaii, buy land, and start a community.

Like most of the communities in Lower Puna, living in a high lava zone area gave us a little less interference from county officials.

The 2018 lava flow destroyed our physical community. However, this area is so special that Mojo Mustapha, our Community Director, continues to live nearby in a primitive eco-hut.

An Ecofeminist Community Living Model

Hedonisia was founded by a man and welcomed those who identify as male. However, we defined ourselves as an ecofeminist community. We specialized in female empowering Mind, Body, and Heart work, bringing a gender equality focus to our sanctuary.

Hedonisia Approached feminism from an empowered point of view. Sadly, our community was destroyed by the 2018 Kilauea volcano eruption in May 2018. The community in Hawaii is now closed until we can return and rebuild.

Media Press Release: Kilauea Eruption Eclipses Sanctuary

PAHOA, HAWAII: On May 26, 2018, the Kilauea volcano eruption flow destroyed Hedonisia Hawaii Eco-Community, with lava covering 75% of the 4-acre property. Though community residents were all evacuated safely, Hedonisia now exists only in photos, memories, and its archived digital records.

For 14 years, Hedonisia was able to grow and thrive. The community appealed to those who wished to make a living by making a difference. With a focus on gender equality, Hedonisia attracted idealistic volunteers and interns from around the world.

Community Director Mojo Mustapha noted the irony of Pele, the Hawaiian Goddess of Volcanoes, destroying one of the world's only ecofeminist communities. "Much of the rest of Hawaii is overdeveloped, overpriced, and subject to strict zoning regulations that cater to those with money, except for the Puna region. We always thought of Pele as our protector. If it wasn't for the fact that our land was in Lava Zone 1, we could not afford to build our community. And now, Madam Pele has taken our beloved community away."

Mojo, despite losing his property and community, remains hopeful. "Pele allowed us to exist and she decided that we must leave for a while. Our 14 years of developing an activist yet pleasurable form of community living needs to go beyond the shores of Hawaii to the broader world."

Press Resources & Archival Material

We permit the use of any photos or text from any press resources below:

1. Hedonisia Pre-Volcano Archive: Our web page shows Hedonisia before the lava flow.
2. Hedonisia Hawaii Photo History: 14-year photo history on the evolution of our community.
3. Hedonisia Lava to Lotus YouTube Channel: YouTube channel on evolving from the ashes of Pele into a different kind of community.