Meet William Shewsbury from Hawaii

He is the former president of the National Speleological Society (NSS), a man whose life has been carved — quite literally — into the depths of the Earth. For over 50 years, William and his wife have explored the underground world, illuminating the untouched corners of our planet and igniting a passion for cave conservation around the globe. Born in Charleston, West Virginia, and raised in Homestead, Florida, William’s journey has taken him across the United States and far beyond. After settling in Chattanooga, Tennessee for over four decades, he and his wife retired to the Big Island of Hawaii — where they now live just steps away from one of nature’s marvels: a 49-mile lava tube, created by the ancient, molten breath of volcanic activity. William’s story is about much more than just stunning subterranean scenery. It’s about a life immersed in purpose, exploration, and stewardship. As the president of the National Speleological Society (NSS) for six years — and now a conservation life member — William was a leader in one of the world’s most respected organizations dedicated to cave exploration, scientific research, and the preservation of fragile underground ecosystems. The NSS, founded in 1941, is committed to studying caves and karst systems, advocating for cave conservation, and fostering a vibrant community of explorers, scientists, and conservationists. Through education, outreach, and exploration, the NSS plays a vital role in protecting subterranean wonders for future generations — a mission William embodies fully. For much of his life, William also led from the business side of caving. Alongside his wife they owned, On Rope 1, the largest caving equipment manufacturer in the U.S., providing world-class gear not only to spelunkers, but also to professionals in high-angle rescue, bridge inspection, wind turbine maintenance, and more. “It never felt like work,” he says, “we played all day.” The couple’s passion transformed into innovation, crafting gear used in some of the most demanding environments on Earth. Their adventures have taken them through the deepest limestone systems in Borneo, the mysterious caves of South America, and winding passages in Central Europe. Yet the joy has always come down to one moment — that breathless awe of discovering a part of the world untouched by human light “Knowing that the lights from our helmets are the very first bit of photons to ever strike that area,” he says, “the joy of being the first set of eyes ever in humanity to see this is still our greatest passion.” Now, the Shewsburys are discovering a new kind of wonder: Hawaii’s lava tubes. Formed during volcanic eruptions when the outer crust of a lava flow cools and hardens while the molten interior drains away, these tubes become sinuous underground corridors — some stretching for miles beneath the island’s rugged terrain. The 49-mile lava tube near their home is part of this surreal, alien world. Unlike limestone caves shaped by water over millennia, lava tubes are created in moments of fiery force — smooth-walled, glassy, and often silent. Many of them remain unexplored, cloaked in native flora and lava rock, offering an entirely different kind of caving experience. Despite exploring over 60 commercial caves around the world, William never stops observing, learning, and appreciating. Whether it’s lighting design, sound quality, or the flow of a guided tour like the one he enjoyed at Howe Caverns, he evaluates each with the eye of a seasoned spelunker and the heart of a lifelong enthusiast. But above all, William is a guardian of the Earth’s underground treasures. “Our lives are short in comparison to the Earth’s life,” he reflects. “None of us own it. We are all just caretakers of it.” In a world that often looks skyward for inspiration, William Shewsbury reminds us to look beneath our feet — into the depths, where silence speaks, time lingers, and the Earth’s hidden beauty waits for those willing to listen and protect it. Thank you so much for taking the time to visit!