Post #561842 by Aweulekuula on Wed, Oct 27, 2010 7:45 AM

Okay, this took FOREVER to get too. Life just gets busy, doesn't it?

This is a very curious form of lava from the Big Island. Geologically speaking it is a form of Rhiolite, meaning that it is very mineral-poor and mainly consists of silica. It is related to white pumice, but much, much denser and almost semi-translucent. I had to buy this rock from a Hawaiian family who knows where to find this very rare stone.

This 4 1/2 Ki'i was carfed for the 7-year-old daughter of a friend of mine when she got very sick.

The rough stone. Note the gas bubbles and overall whiteness.

The first rough-cuts are made to get a feel for the design.

The body is taking shape.

The body shapes are done and work on the face begins.