SHSU students heading to Hawaii during volcanic eruption

It's hard to beat a school trip to Hawaii.

Ava Fujimoto-Strait has been taking Sam Houston State students on a geography trip each summer for the last 6 years.

Things are a bit different this time around.

"I think it'll actually enhance it. sometimes the lava isn't flowing, sometimes it's flowing into the ocean, building new lands," said Fujimoto-Strait.

She was born and raised in Hawaii. It's important for her to show students the beauty and diversity of the island.

"You grow up there you don't realize how amazing it is to have 75 85 degree temperatures year round."

That perfect paradise is right up against fissures with flowing lava, but she says luckily, it's all blowing away from the land and out to sea.

But that hasn't stopped thousands of people from fleeing their homes.

"I think in some ways it brings people together. There's the aloha spirit which is similar to what we saw during Hurricane Harvey where people just help each other.'

Ultimately, Fujimoto-Strait hopes her students learn one lesson more than any other.

"That Mother Nature is ultimately in charge. Humans can't control everything. i think especially when you live on an island in the Pacific you learn you respect the environment."