HVERI Newsletter – April 2025
Strength Through Awareness – Living With Pele's Presence
Aloha HVERI ʻOhana,
As spring settles in, we take this moment to reflect on what it means to live in a place shaped by lava—where beauty and danger often walk hand in hand. Across Hawaiʻi, the land tells stories of fire and transformation, and it’s our kuleana to listen, learn, and prepare.
This month, we turn our focus to Pele’s hair—one of the most delicate yet hazardous reminders of volcanic activity. It’s a striking phenomenon, formed from molten glass and carried by the wind, often unnoticed until it’s underfoot or caught in a breeze. Through awareness and shared knowledge, we can ensure that our communities stay safe while deepening our respect for the forces that shape our islands.
At HVERI, our mission has always been rooted in resilience—not just responding to events, but understanding them. Thank you for walking with us as we continue to build safer, more informed, and more connected communities across Hawaiʻi.
Mahalo nui loa,
Lou Ettore
Executive Manager, HVERI
The Beauty and the Hazard: Understanding Pele’s Hair
In Hawaiʻi, we live with the understanding that our landscape is constantly in motion—shaped by lava, cooled by wind, and forever watched over by Pele. One of the most striking, yet often misunderstood, signs of volcanic activity is Pele’s hair. These delicate, golden threads may appear soft and beautiful, but they carry a sharp message: stay aware, stay safe.
Photo: Yvonne Baur
Pele’s hair forms when lava is ejected into the air during an eruption and stretched into thin strands by the wind before cooling midair. What lands on rooftops, plants, and roadways is volcanic glass—fine, lightweight, and extremely brittle. Though it may seem harmless, even a few threads can cause skin or eye irritation, contaminate water catchment systems, or harm pets and livestock if ingested.
In Hawaiian culture, Pele’s hair is treated with respect. It is not just debris—it is a physical extension of the volcano goddess herself. At HVERI, we honor that perspective while helping our community stay safe and informed. Knowing how to recognize and respond to Pele’s hair is one small but powerful step toward living in harmony with our volcanic environment.
If you find Pele’s hair near your home or while hiking, avoid touching it with bare hands. Use gloves or tools to remove it, and keep keiki and pets away from affected areas. Cover open water catchments with mesh screens, and rinse off shoes or gear before bringing them indoors. On windy days, consider wearing protective eyewear, especially near recent eruption sites or downwind areas.
Understanding Pele’s hair is more than just knowing the science—it’s an opportunity to teach. Take the time to talk with your keiki about what it is, why it forms, and how to stay safe around it. These small lessons can spark curiosity, build awareness, and deepen respect for the land and its many stories. When we share knowledge, we build resilience—not just for today, but for the generations to come.
Youth Resilience Through Place-Based Visual Storytelling
This spring, HVERI is proud to partner with Pōhaku Pelemaka on an innovative new program that brings together volcano education, Hawaiian cultural storytelling, and artificial intelligence. Designed for youth in Puna, the workshop series—Youth Resilience Through Place-Based Visual Storytelling Using AI—is as much about developing leadership and creativity as it is about deepening connections to place.
AI Generated
In each session, students explore traditional moʻolelo and mele about Pele and Kīlauea, guided by both cultural experts and science educators. Then, using custom AI tools and guided prompts, they generate imagery inspired by those stories—bringing ancient texts to life through a modern lens. The process is fully interactive and hands-on, allowing each participant to shape their own visual narrative while learning about volcanoes, AI technology, and cultural heritage.
This program is more than an educational experience—it’s a form of resilience-building. Students are developing critical thinking, digital literacy, teamwork, and cultural grounding—all essential skills in a changing world. And with the help of new tech tools and mobile equipment, these workshops are designed to travel—bringing inspiration and opportunity to schools, parks, and community spaces across Puna.
As we pilot the program this year, we’re also planting seeds for long-term growth. The art created by participants will eventually be compiled into a collective video piece, set to chant and rooted in the voices of Puna youth. It’s a celebration of culture, creativity, and resilience—led by the next generation.
Stay Ahead of the Lava: HVERI’s New Eruption Alert System
We're excited to share a major update in how we keep you informed: HVERI has launched a streamlined eruption alert email system to notify you the moment a volcanic eruption begins on Hawaiʻi Island.
This is a no-fluff, real-time update system — designed for residents, visitors, and volcano watchers alike. When an eruption starts, you’ll get a clear, concise message delivered straight to your inbox. No daily digests, no excessive messaging — just the critical info, when it counts.
Whether you live in a hazard zone or simply want to stay connected to Pele’s rhythm, this tool is built to keep you safe, aware, and empowered.
If you're receiving this newsletter, you’ll also receive our new eruption alerts — automatically. If you prefer not to receive them, you’ll have the option to opt out in the first alert email we send.
April is Tsunami Awareness Month
April marks Tsunami Awareness Month across Hawaiʻi — and here on Hawaiʻi Island, we know better than most how powerful and devastating these natural forces can be. This month is a time to reflect, learn, and prepare.
We’re proud to uplift the work of the Pacific Tsunami Museum, located in the heart of Hilo, where history and resilience come together. For decades, the museum has served as a hub of education, remembrance, and community engagement, preserving the stories of those impacted by past tsunamis and helping future generations stay informed and prepared.
From April 1–30, 2025, the museum will host events, talks, and exhibits dedicated to tsunami science, history, and readiness. It’s an incredible opportunity for families, educators, and community members to deepen their understanding of these rare but serious events.
Visit tsunami.org or call (808) 935-0926 for a full calendar of events.
Why It Matters
Hilo has experienced some of the most devastating tsunamis in recorded Pacific history.
The museum plays a vital role in preserving survivor stories and advancing community preparedness.
Education = empowerment. Every visitor, every classroom, every conversation helps protect our island’s future.
We encourage you to stop by the museum, attend an event, or even bring a friend who’s never been. Supporting our local institutions is how we build a more informed and resilient Hawaiʻi — together.
Digital Resilience Tip of the Month: Don’t Get Fooled by a Fake Alert
In an emergency, speed matters—but so does accuracy. One of the biggest digital risks during volcanic events or severe weather is the spread of false alerts—messages that seem official but contain outdated or misleading information.
Misinformation can trigger unnecessary panic, delay emergency responses, and put lives at risk. That’s why this month, we’re focusing on how to spot—and stop—a fake alert before it spreads.
✅ Check the source – Real alerts come from official agencies like USGS, HI-EMA, NOAA, or Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense. Look for verified accounts or .gov/.org websites.
✅ Be cautious with screenshots – Alerts shared as images can be edited or taken out of context. Go directly to the original source to verify.
✅ Always check the timestamp – Outdated alerts often resurface and get shared during new events.
✅ Look for confirmation across channels – If it’s real, multiple official sources (and reliable community pages) will report it quickly.
📌 Community Tip: In fast-moving situations, don’t rely on a single post—turn to trusted spaces. Our Hawaiʻi Tracker Facebook group is one of the most reliable places to get accurate, up-to-date information during volcanic activity and other emergencies. With a team of dedicated moderators, every photo, video, and report is carefully reviewed to stop misinformation before it spreads. If you see an alert or image you’re unsure about, check Hawaiʻi Tracker first—our community works together to keep each other informed, safe, and resilient.
April is Fundraiser Month – Help Us Keep the Momentum Going
This April, we’re launching our spring fundraiser—and we’re inviting you to be part of something that truly matters. Every week, we bring vital volcanic updates to the community, deliver hands-on science education across the island, and continue growing our youth development programs to empower the next generation of resilience leaders.
But none of this happens without your support.
Your donation helps us:
Expand youth programs like Science Nights and volcano education workshops
Keep our weekly livestreams running, offering real-time volcanic updates and trusted information
Reach more communities with our outreach toolkit, building preparedness from the ground up
Strengthen digital resilience, teaching online safety skills and AI literacy to protect our communities in the digital age
If HVERI has informed, inspired, or empowered you or your ʻohana, now’s the time to give back.
🌟 Support our mission this April at hveri.org/donate
📣 Share our work. Invite friends to follow, tune in, or attend an event.
🎁 Every gift—large or small—makes a difference in keeping Hawaiʻi informed and prepared.
Mahalo nui loa for being part of this journey. Together, we’re building something resilient, meaningful, and rooted in aloha.
