HVERI Newsletter – March 2025

Strengthening Hawai’i, One Step at a Time

Aloha HVERI ʻOhana,

March is a time of renewal and preparation—a chance to take stock of where we are and where we’re headed as a community. This past month, we’ve seen incredible efforts in education, outreach, and digital security, all aimed at strengthening Hawaiʻi’s resilience. From hands-on science events that inspire the next generation to crucial updates on Kīlauea’s activity, we remain committed to keeping our communities informed and prepared.

At HVERI, we know that resilience isn’t just about reacting to disasters—it’s about building the knowledge, resources, and connections to stay ahead of them. Through education, outreach, and preparedness programs, we are working every day to ensure that individuals and families across the islands have the tools they need. And none of it happens without you. Your support and engagement make all the difference in helping us build a stronger, more connected Hawai’i.

Join us this month in taking one more step toward resilience. Whether it’s volunteering at an event, staying informed about volcanic activity, or learning new ways to protect yourself online, every action counts.

Mahalo nui loa for your continued dedication and support.

Lou Ettore
Executive Manager, HVERI

How Community Science Nights Are Making a Difference

HVERI’s Science Night series continues to bring hands-on learning to schools across Hawaiʻi Island. This month, we engaged another school’s students, families, and educators in an exciting exploration of volcanic eruptions. Together, we dove into the science of viscosity, the trajectory of lava bombs, and the power of resilience in the face of natural events.

Bringing Science to Life: The Volcano Education Toolkit

Our Science Nights feature the Volcano Education Toolkit, a hands-on experience that makes volcanic science interactive. Instead of just hearing about lava, students see it in action, experiment with it, and explore its movement in real time.

Pictured here is our Lava Flow Board, a model demonstrating how lava moves across landscapes. Using liquid simulations, students observe how viscosity, slope, and barriers influence flow, learning key concepts like:

Flow Paths & Barriers – How lava follows paths of least resistance and how barriers affect its movement.
Eruption Impact – How different flow speeds can affect roads, homes, and infrastructure.
Early Warning & Preparedness – Why real-time monitoring and planning are essential in volcanic regions.

By engaging students through touch, movement, and experimentation, the Toolkit makes learning fun while fostering resilience. These events bring communities together to learn and prepare for volcanic hazards.

Want to bring Science Night to your school or event? Contact us at contact@hveri.org.

What’s Happening Between Episodes?

Kīlauea’s ongoing eruption is characterized by episodic fountaining, a pattern not observed in Halemaʻumaʻu since 2020. Lava fountains and flows emerge from two active vents—north and south—during each episode, which can last from a few hours to over a week. These episodes coincide with strong summit deflation, while the pauses between them signal a shift to inflation as the magma chamber refills and repressurizes. By analyzing inflationary tilt patterns, scientists estimate the probable timing of the next eruption. If the current inflation rate at UWD holds steady, the next episode is expected between March 18 and March 20, though a slowdown in inflation could delay its onset.

While Kīlauea’s most recent eruptive activity has paused, monitoring continues. Scientists are tracking:

✅ Summit Inflation – Magma buildup suggests pressure is increasing beneath the surface.
✅ Gas Emissions – SO₂ levels remain high, impacting air quality in some areas.
✅ Seismic Activity – Small earthquakes indicate continued underground movement.

Even in quiet times, understanding volcanic hazards is essential. Join us for our weekly live Volcano Update on YouTube, where we break down what’s happening at Kīlauea and what it means for Hawaiʻi residents.

Staying Connected & Informed

In today’s fast-paced digital landscape, resilience isn’t just about physical preparedness—it’s about staying informed, connected, and protected online. Our reliance on digital communication has never been greater, and in times of crisis, the internet becomes a vital tool for sharing emergency updates, coordinating aid, and staying connected with loved ones.

However, this same connectivity also presents risks. When disasters strike, misinformation can spread rapidly, creating confusion, panic, and delays in emergency response. False reports, misleading social media posts, and unverified claims can make it difficult for residents to distinguish fact from fiction—especially during fast-moving situations like volcanic eruptions, tsunamis, or severe storms. Misinformation doesn’t just mislead individuals; it can slow down rescue efforts, misdirect critical resources, and even put lives at risk.

At HVERI, we recognize that digital resilience is a crucial part of community preparedness. Beyond knowing evacuation routes and stocking emergency supplies, communities must also be equipped with the skills to navigate digital spaces safely and effectively. This means:

Ensuring timely, accurate, and science-backed information reaches the public.
Training local digital volunteers to help moderate online conversations and combat misinformation.
Providing residents with tools to verify sources and recognize misleading content.
Strengthening online networks so communities can coordinate effectively during disasters.

Multiple Ways to Stay Informed

While digital tools like social media and emergency alert apps are valuable, relying on a single source of information can be risky—especially when disasters disrupt power or internet access. A truly resilient communication strategy includes multiple ways to receive critical updates, such as:

📡 Cellular Networks – Text alerts and mobile apps provide quick updates, but coverage can be spotty in rural areas or during disasters.

🛰️ Starlink & Satellite Internet – Satellite-based systems can keep remote communities connected even when ground-based infrastructure is down.

📻 NOAA Weather & AM/FM Radio – Radio remains one of the most reliable communication tools during emergencies, providing continuous updates even when the internet is unavailable.

🚨 Community Bulletin Boards & Word of Mouth – In-person communication and designated community leaders can help relay urgent messages when digital networks fail.

By diversifying the ways we receive information, we strengthen our collective ability to stay informed and prepared. An informed public is a resilient public, and in an era where information spreads instantly, knowing how to separate truth from fiction—and how to receive critical updates through multiple channels—is just as important as having a go-bag ready.

Mahalo for Your Support

Make a donation to support HVERI at hveri.org/donate

As we move forward in 2025, we want to take a moment to express our deepest gratitude to everyone who has supported HVERI. Your dedication to resilience, education, and preparedness has been the driving force behind our mission, ensuring that communities across Hawaiʻi remain informed, safe, and ready for the future.

Your support has made a tangible impact by fueling programs that strengthen Hawaiʻi’s ability to respond to natural hazards and digital threats:

🌋 Volcano Education & Real-Time Monitoring – Through our weekly livestream broadcasts, in-depth articles, and hands-on demonstrations, we provide real-time updates on volcanic activity, earthquakes, and natural hazards. With science-backed information at the forefront, our community stays prepared and empowered to make informed decisions.

📡 Digital Resilience & Trusted Communication Networks – Misinformation can spread as fast as a disaster itself. That’s why we’ve expanded Hawaiʻi’s Digital Resilience Hub, training residents and online moderators to combat misinformation, strengthen emergency communication, and ensure access to real-time, reliable updates—even when traditional networks fail.

🎓 Youth Education & Hands-On Science – The next generation of resilience leaders starts here. Through Science Nights, AI technology workshops, and our interactive Volcano Education Tool Kit, we’re inspiring students across Hawaiʻi, fostering curiosity, and equipping them with knowledge that could one day save lives.

These programs exist because of you. Your generosity has helped us reach more families, expand our educational resources, and build a future where resilience isn’t just a response—it’s a way of life.

🌟 Join us in 2025 as we continue to grow, educate, and prepare. Every contribution brings us closer to a stronger, safer, and more connected Hawaiʻi.

Support our mission today at hveri.org/donate and be part of something that truly matters.

Mahalo nui loa!

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