HVERI Newsletter – February 2025
Nurturing Resilience, Strengthening Community
Aloha HVERI ʻOhana,
As we progress into 2025, we are reminded that resilience is not just about preparation—it is about proactive engagement and collective action. This past month has demonstrated the strength and dedication of our community, from engaging students in hands-on science education to enhancing our understanding of Kīlauea’s evolving activity and expanding our digital resilience initiatives. Each effort brings us closer to a more informed and prepared Hawaiʻi.
At HVERI, we remain committed to equipping our community with the knowledge and tools necessary to navigate Hawaiʻi’s unique challenges. Through education, outreach, and preparedness programs, we are working to ensure that individuals and families across the islands can make informed decisions that enhance safety and resilience. Your support is the driving force behind this mission, and together, we are making a tangible impact.
As we look ahead, we invite you to continue this journey with us—to learn, to prepare, and to strengthen the bonds that connect us all. By working together, we can build a future where resilience is not just a response to adversity but a shared commitment to safeguarding our home.
Mahalo nui loa for your continued dedication and support.
Lou Ettore
Executive Manager, HVERI
Science Nights: Sparking Curiosity and Building Resilience
This year, HVERI is expanding our participation in youth development programs and community outreach events, engaging with more students and families than ever before. Through interactive learning experiences focused on science, disaster preparedness, and resilience, we are fostering curiosity and equipping the next generation with essential knowledge and skills. These events are more than just educational—they are opportunities to inspire, inform, and empower our community, ensuring that more people have the tools to stay safe and prepared for the challenges ahead.
Volcano Education: Bringing Science to Life
Our Volcano Education Tool Kit is the centerpiece of our outreach events, providing a hands-on, interactive experience that brings volcanic science to life. At each event, students and families eagerly engage with our dynamic demonstrations and experiments, deepening their understanding of Hawaiʻi’s unique volcanic landscape and the importance of disaster preparedness.
One of the highlights of these events was our Volcano Education Tool Kit, a hands-on learning experience that brings volcanic science to life. Students eagerly engaged with:
🔥 The Lava Bomb Stomp Launcher – A crowd favorite that mimics the explosive energy of volcanic eruptions, demonstrating how gas pressure builds beneath the surface before releasing with force.
🌋 The Elephant Toothpaste Eruption – A foamy, fast-expanding reaction that simulates the dynamic forces of volcanic activity, sparking excitement and curiosity among young learners.
🌊 The Rift Zone Inflation-Deflation Model – A hands-on demonstration that illustrates how magma movement beneath the surface can cause ground deformation, a key concept in understanding volcanic hazards.
These interactive experiments captivated students and parents alike, reinforcing the importance of scientific literacy in disaster preparedness. By engaging with these concepts early, students gain a deeper understanding of the natural forces shaping Hawaiʻi and the role they can play in keeping their communities safe.
Why Science Nights and Outreach Events Matter
In Hawaiʻi, where volcanoes, earthquakes, tsunamis, and extreme weather are part of daily life, education is one of our most powerful tools for resilience. Science nights and other outreach events provide hands-on learning experiences that make complex topics more accessible, helping communities understand the risks they face and how to prepare for them.
HVERI’s participation in these events ensures that students, parents, and educators receive up-to-date, science-backed information about Hawaiʻi’s unique hazards. By making learning interactive and engaging, we are fostering a culture of preparedness, where families feel more informed and empowered to take action before disasters strike.
Join Us as a Volunteer!
These science nights and outreach events would not be possible without the support of our dedicated volunteers, who help bring these learning experiences to life. If you have a passion for education, science, or community outreach, we’d love to have you on board!
📩 Interested in volunteering? Reach out to us at contact@hveri.org for upcoming opportunities.
Together, we can inspire, educate, and prepare the next generation for a more resilient Hawaiʻi!
Kīlauea Activity Update: What’s Next?
The December 23rd eruption at Kīlauea has gone through eight eruptive episodes, with the most recent pausing on February 4. While no lava is currently flowing, the volcano remains very much active, and scientists are closely monitoring magma movement and summit inflation—signs that another episode could begin in the coming days.
💡 What’s Happening Now?
Lava activity has stopped for now, but magma continues to build beneath the surface.
Eight separate fountaining episodes have occurred since December, with pauses in between.
Inflation at the summit suggests pressure is increasing, which could lead to another eruption soon.
Volcanic gas emissions remain high, affecting air quality.
Pele’s Hair (strands of volcanic glass) has been reported near the summit due to strong winds.
Be Aware of Volcanic Hazards
Even during a pause in eruptive activity, volcanic hazards remain. High levels of sulfur dioxide (SO₂) and vog (volcanic smog) can impact air quality, especially for kupuna, keiki, and those with respiratory conditions. It’s important to stay informed and take precautions, like limiting outdoor activity in affected areas.
Another concern is Pele’s Hair, delicate strands of volcanic glass that can be carried by the wind. These fine, sharp fragments can cause skin and eye irritation and should be handled with care. If you find Pele’s Hair in your area, avoid touching it with bare hands and rinse any that lands on vehicles or outdoor surfaces to prevent buildup.
Understanding these hazards is key to staying safe and resilient.
Stay Informed with HVERI
Kīlauea’s activity is complex, but we’re here to break it down and keep you informed. Join us every Thursday at 5 PM HST for our live Volcano Update on YouTube!
🌋 What We Cover:
✅ Latest Volcano Updates – Clear explanations of what’s happening now.
✅ What’s Next? – Connecting past eruptions to current patterns.
✅ Your Questions Answered – Ask us live and learn how Kīlauea’s activity affects you.
Knowledge is preparedness. Stay informed, stay resilient!
Join Us for the Next Social Media Moderator in Disaster Training!
Social media is one of the fastest ways people share and receive information during a natural disaster—but without clear standards, misinformation can spread just as quickly. Our Social Media Moderator in Disaster certification establishes a trusted network of trained moderators who can help ensure accurate, timely, and useful information reaches the community and back to emergency managers when it matters most.
If you help manage a Facebook group, Instagram page, or any other online space on Hawai‘i Island, becoming Social Media Moderator in Disaster certified connects you to a larger collaborative effort.
Our next training is on February 24th at 5 PM HST, and we'd love for you to join us!
Sign-up and more information here: https://forms.gle/iPnrgce5oZ5pBSYt5
Invest in Hawaiʻi’s Resilience
At HVERI, we’re all about action—action that keeps our communities safe, informed, and prepared for whatever comes next. But none of this happens without you. Every program we run, every workshop we host, and every resource we provide is fueled by the support of people like you.
Hawaiʻi’s landscape is constantly changing, and so are its challenges. From volcanic eruptions and earthquakes to hurricanes, wildfires, tsunamis, high winds, and flooding, our island home faces a unique set of natural threats. That’s why HVERI exists—to ensure that our communities are not just reacting to these events, but are prepared, educated, and resilient in the face of them. We provide the tools, training, and resources needed to help individuals, families, and entire communities stay informed and ready for whatever nature brings.
Your donation directly supports:
🔹 Disaster Preparedness & Resilience – Equipping communities with critical knowledge and tools before disaster strikes.
🔹 Volcano Education & Outreach – Bringing hands-on learning to schools and public events to foster understanding of Hawaiʻi’s dynamic landscape.
🔹 Digital Security & Awareness – Teaching residents how to navigate and protect themselves in an increasingly digital world.
Think about it: your support today impacts the safety and preparedness of families and communities tomorrow. With your help, we can continue to share critical resources, educate residents about volcanic activity, and provide cutting-edge digital training that protects against modern threats.
When you give to HVERI, you’re not just donating—you’re investing in the future of Hawaiʻi.
Be a part of something that truly matters. Support us today at hveri.org/donate.
Together, we can build a safer, stronger, and more resilient future for Hawaiʻi.
