1930. Maui writer Armine von Tempski, who died almost a half-century ago, is one of Hawaii's enduring literary legends. She spent her childhood years on the family ranch in Haleakala with her Polish-American father and English mother. Her books reveal the daily life and customs on Hawaii with a colorful prose that captures the beauty of the spectacular tropics. Lava is the story of an island paradise suddenly tortured by a terrific earthquake and volcanic eruption. A young man, aimlessly travels the world, stops in Hawaii, and is rudely shaken out of his role as a mere spectator by the devastating eruption, which destroys the farm of a girl he has learned to love.