HVERI Newsletter - September 2024
Empowering Our Communities Together
Introduction
Aloha HVERI community,
September marks a month of significant updates and deepened community engagement for our organization. We've closely monitored Kīlauea's activity, providing timely updates on the Upper and Middle East Rift zones while sharing valuable insights. This month, we’re eagerly anticipating the Native Hawaiian Convention on September 17-19th at the Hilton Waikoloa Village and the Disaster Prep Fair in Waimea on September 28th. We also proudly launched our "Protecting Yourself in a Digital World" seminar, an initiative aimed at equipping individuals with the knowledge and tools to navigate and safeguard their online interactions. These events and accomplishments provide HVERI with valuable opportunities to connect, learn, and build our community's resilience. We remain committed to keeping you informed and connected as we navigate Hawaiʻi's dynamic landscape.
Native Hawaiian Convention
This month, we’re heading to the Native Hawaiian Convention at the Hilton Waikoloa Village, a gathering of voices and visions dedicated to shaping the future of our communities. From September 17th to 19th, we’ll be immersed in discussions that matter—cultural perpetuation, education, and self-determination, all through the lens of Native Hawaiian identity and resilience. It’s a space where traditions meet innovation, and we can learn, contribute, and walk away with the tools and inspiration to continue empowering communities and safeguarding cultural legacies.
We are particularly looking forward to the Auamo Kuleana: Tutu’s Hale breakout session, where a remarkable panel will dive into the heart of disaster recovery and resilience. Led by Ana Kon, Laua’e Kekahuna, Leila Kealoha, Syndi Texeira, and moderated by Keoni Kuoha, this discussion promises to be a deeply insightful exploration of how cultural values and community collaboration can guide us through the toughest challenges. Rooted in the wisdom of the 2018 Kīlauea eruption, these leaders will share lessons that resonate far beyond Puna, offering essential perspectives for those of us grappling with the aftermath of the 2023 Maui wildfires. This is more than just a panel—it’s a gathering in the spirit of lawena, where the strength of our cultural practices meets the practicalities of modern recovery efforts.
Disaster Preparedness Fair
On Saturday, September 28th, we’ll be participating in the Disaster Prep Fair at Kahilu Town Hall in Waimea, HI, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. This essential community event is dedicated to raising awareness about disaster preparedness, emergency response, and community resilience. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn about the specific hazards that affect our area, understand their vulnerabilities, and discover practical steps to better prepare for emergencies.
The fair will bring together local county entities and federal agencies, all focused on educating the public about disaster preparedness. Attendees can learn how the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory monitors volcanic activity, how the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center tracks tsunamis, how the National Weather Service monitors tropical cyclones, and more.
We’re excited to return with our volcano education toolkit, which was a huge hit at the last event. It was inspiring to see the kids’ curiosity and excitement as they learned about volcanic activity and its impact on our community. We look forward to sparking that same passion for learning and deepening the community's understanding of natural hazards at this fair. If you are in the area, stop by and check us out.
"When a community rises together, their strength becomes unstoppable against any storm."
-Lou Ettore, Executive Manager
"Protecting Yourself in a Digital World," A Seminar On Online Security
We’re thrilled to announce our new "Protecting Yourself in a Digital World" seminar. This entry-level initiative empowers individuals with the essential knowledge to navigate and safeguard their online interactions. As the digital landscape continues to evolve, we aim to equip our participants with the knowledge and tools to ensure they are not low-hanging fruit for scammers, hackers, and various other bad actors all over the internet.
We held our first seminar on August 28th, 2024, and will have at least two more before the end of the year. We will post more information on the dates and details of the next seminar here: https://hveri.org/ai-education
Volcano Education
Tune in live — HVERI on YouTube
Last Thursday at 5pm HST, we revisited another fascinating chapter of Kīlauea’s volcanic history during our live broadcast. As a special feature, we explored the 1961 and 1962 Kīlauea East Rift eruptions—two of the nine significant Middle East Rift eruptions that shaped the 1960s. These events, occurring between the well-known Kapoho and Maunaulu eruptions, were crucial to understanding the patterns and behaviors of Kīlauea during this active period. This session followed our recent anniversary coverage of the August 1963 and 1968 eruptions, offering further insights into the dynamic nature of Kīlauea’s East Rift Zone.
By revisiting these historical eruptions, we aimed to provide context for current volcanic activity and explore how past events might inform future outcomes. The 1960s were marked by a series of significant eruptions and intrusions, including the Southwest Rift intrusions and the summit eruption of 1967-68. Understanding these historical patterns is essential as we continue to monitor Kīlauea’s behavior today. This broadcast connected the past with the present, helping us better anticipate what might come next in Hawai’i's volcanic landscape.
Join us this Thursday at 5pm HST as we continue our discussion on Kīlauea’s East Rift eruptions and dive deeper into how these historical events could influence future volcanic activity.
Fundraising
Your donation isn’t just support—it’s the fuel that powers our mission to keep Hawaiʻi Island safe and resilient. Invest in HVERI today and be a part of something that truly matters.
At the Hawaiian Volcano Education and Resilience Institute (HVERI), we believe in the power of community and the strength that comes from being prepared. Our mission is to empower and uplift, guiding communities through education and resilience-building initiatives that address the unique challenges of living in a dynamic environment. Whether it's equipping residents with the knowledge to face the next volcanic eruption, offering advanced training in digital resilience, or educating our youth with our comprehensive volcano education toolkit, everything we do is rooted in the belief that strong communities are informed communities.
But just like building a successful team, we can't do it alone. We rely on the generous hearts and support of individuals like you, who understand that true success comes from proactive engagement and preparedness. When you donate to HVERI, you’re not just giving—you’re investing in the safety, knowledge, and future of Hawaiʻi’s residents. Every dollar helps us extend our reach, enrich our educational programs, and ensure that more people are empowered to face future challenges with confidence. Together, we can create a future where our communities are not just prepared but ready to thrive. We invite you to join us in this mission by making a donation today—because together, we can achieve so much more.
Take action and make an impact! Your support fuels our mission to keep Hawaiʻi safe and resilient. Invest in HVERI today and be part of something that truly matters. Together, we can build a future where our communities are informed, prepared, and thriving. Thank you for being a vital part of our journey.
