Hawaii News and Island Information

Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park continues its tradition of sharing After Dark in the Park and Hawaiian cultural programs with the community and visitors throughout January – which is also Volcano Awareness Month, established by the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory. These programs are free, but park entrance fees may apply. Mark your calendars for these upcoming events:

Volcano Awareness Month: 30th Anniversary of Kīlauea’s Ongoing East Rift Zone Eruption.  Jan. 3, 2013, marks the 30th anniversary of Kīlauea’s ongoing East Rift Zone eruption.  During its first three years, spectacular lava fountains spewed episodically from Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō vent. Since then, nearly continuous lava effusion has built a vast plain of pāhoehoe lava that stretches from the volcano’s rift zone to the sea.  Although the eruption has been relatively quiet during the past year, with mostly steady but unusually weak activity, it has produced some dramatic lava flows in past years.  Tim Orr, USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologist, will review highlights from the past 30 years and talk about recent developments on Kīlauea’s East Rift Zone. Part of Hawai‘i Volcanoes’ ongoing After Dark in the Park series. Free.
When: Tues., Jan. 8, 7 p.m.
Where: Kīlauea Visitor Center Auditorium

Volcano Awareness Month: What’s Happening in Halema‘uma‘u Crater? In March 2008, a new volcanic vent opened in Halema‘uma‘u Crater at the summit of Kīlauea. Since then, the eruption has consisted of continuous degassing, occasional explosive events, and fluctuating lava lake activity in an open crater that has now grown to more than 520 feet wide.  While thousands of visitors flock to see the nighttime glow emitted by the lava lake, Kīlauea’s summit eruption also provides an abundance of data and insights for scientists. USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologist Matt Patrick will present an overview of Kīlauea’s summit eruption, including a survey of the volcanic processes occurring within the vent. Part of Hawai‘i Volcanoes’ ongoing After Dark in the Park series. Free.
When: Tues., Jan. 15, 7 p.m.
Where: Kīlauea Visitor Center Auditorium

Kai Ho‘opi‘i, An Evening of Hawaiian Music. Listen to the sweet voice of Kai Ho‘opi‘i, sharing the music of his ohana from Kahakuloa, Maui. Kai Ho‘opi‘i is an Aloha Festivals Hawaiian falsetto contest winner. Part of Hawai‘i Volcanoes’ ongoing Nā Leo Manu “Heavenly Voices” presentations. Free.

When: Wed., Jan. 16, from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Where: Kīlauea Visitor Center Auditorium

Volcano Awareness Month: A Below-the-Scenes Look at Kīlauea Volcano’s “Plumbing” System. The magma storage and transport system beneath a volcano can be envisioned like the plumbing system of a house. Magma “pipes” connect different reservoirs, and can feed magma toward the surface or transport it laterally beneath the surface. Thanks to over a century of research, volcanologists have a good idea of where magma is stored beneath Kīlauea and how magma moves between summit storage areas and eruption sites (which can be many miles away) along the volcano’s rift zones. USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientist Michael Poland will present a picture of what Kīlauea’s subsurface might look like based on observations from eruptions, earthquake patterns, ground deformation, chemical changes, and geologic studies. Part of Hawai‘i Volcanoes’ ongoing After Dark in the Park series. Free.
When: Tues., Jan. 22, 7 p.m.
Where: Kīlauea Visitor Center Auditorium

Volcano Awareness Month: The Story Behind Monitoring Hawaiian Volcanoes & How HVO Gets the Data It Needs to Track Eruptions and Earthquakes. Have you ever wondered how scientists at the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory get the tilt, GPS, and seismic data they need to figure out what’s happening inside Hawai‘i’s active volcanoes? Or how the images of remote volcanic activity on HVO’s website get there? HVO’s chief technical support specialist Kevan Kamibayashi will explain the installation and operation of HVO’s various monitoring sensors and how their signals are sent back to the observatory from remote locations on the volcanoes. Don’t miss this opportunity to see some of the instruments used by HVO to monitor Hawaiian eruptions and earthquakes. Part of Hawai‘i Volcanoes’ ongoing After Dark in the Park series. Free.
When: Tues., Jan. 29, 7 p.m.
Where: Kīlauea Visitor Center Auditorium

Lā‘au Lapa‘au (Healing Medicine) with Ka‘ohu Monfort. Learn how plants are used as medicine. Ka‘ohu Monfort shares her knowledge of how Hawai‘i’s native plants, including noni, kukui and ōlena, can heal and nourish. Part of Hawai‘i Volcanoes’ ongoing ‘Ike Hana No‘eau “Experience the Skillful Work” workshops. Free.
When: Wed., Jan. 30 from 10 a.m. to noon
Where: Kīlauea Visitor Center lānai

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