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+--- Thread: Possible relocation of HVO to Oahu (/showthread.php?tid=20809)
Possible relocation of HVO to Oahu - TomK - 04-05-2019
I hadn't heard anything about this until today, but it seems there's a possibility the Hawaii Volcano Observatory may relocate to Oahu.
https://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/2019/04/05/hawaii-news/possible-relocation-of-hvo-to-oahu-raises-concerns/
I haven't thought this through so don't have an solid opinions yet. In some ways it might make sense in the same way many of the observatories on MK are now remotely run with no night crews at the summit (costs are reduced and the same amount of science gets done), and HVO is more-or-less remotely run anyway. On the other hand, and I know this from experience, it doesn't feel right not being at the center of activity next to the instruments and the lack of scientists on-island might lead to delays in case of another eruption.
Thoughts?
RE: Possible relocation of HVO to Oahu - alaskyn66 - 04-05-2019
Part of my brain thinks this is just another way for the state to save money to use elsewhere. Let the volunteers and interns collect the data .
RE: Possible relocation of HVO to Oahu - TomK - 04-05-2019
Understood, but probably best to replace state with federal, as HVO is part of the USGS.
RE: Possible relocation of HVO to Oahu - HereOnThePrimalEdge - 04-05-2019
If the argument is they need to locate HVO staff in existing federal buildings which are located on Oahu due to funding, it’s a shortsighted trade off. We have plenty of money for a useless wall that can be climbed over with a ladder, but no money for scientists to make direct observations, and conduct field work at a moments notice when an actual disaster could be looming?
During the last eruption it required geologists on the ground who could determine the age of the erupting magma, and why it was flowing first slowly, then at unimaginable speed. Can you deploy the proper instruments in the correct location, at a moments notice so the necessary information can be transmitted to Oahu? These are important factors for residents in the LERZ. They want to find out immediately if it’s a fast flow or a slow flow when their lives and homes are at stake. Do you remember how many seismographs went off line during the last eruption? How many SO2 meters were deployed then read out zeros? It took long enough to get those situations corrected by staff already on island. Can you imagine the delays if they had to keep flying in from Honolulu, and the additional potential for interuptions if there more steps involved in transmitting data from a remote sensor to a receiver here on island, then again to Honolulu for analysis? How often do we still go into a bank or store and wait for a transaction to complete because we’re told the computer is glitchy or running slow? If the HVO can’t afford a building, they certainly won’t have money for a private, dedicated data transmission line.
We have unqualified political hacks heading up federal agencies, making decisions which affect people with Bachlor degrees, Masters, and PhDs. The disgraced former head of the EPA spent millions of dollars on undisclosed private jet travel. That would be a pretty good down payment on new HVO offices right in HVNP. Where it’s best situated.
“The President just said wind energy causes cancer and please young people save us from this nightmare...” - Hawaii Sen. Brian Schatz, 4/2/19
RE: Possible relocation of HVO to Oahu - TomK - 04-05-2019
Good post, HOTPE. I'd like to gather a little more info on this first and might play devil's advocate in a day or so, but on the whole I think you make excellent points.
ETA: I think the question to ask is whether it would have made any difference to Puna residents and science if the HVO was located in Oahu at the start of the 2018 eruption.
RE: Possible relocation of HVO to Oahu - HereOnThePrimalEdge - 04-05-2019
I would also add that huge ash plumes on the summit could once again occur, large enough to ground aircraft as was discussed during the regular collapses in the caldera. We were told they could be even larger, spreading ash high enough and far enough that both Kona and Hilo airports would close for safety reasons.
Then how would scientists get here from Honolulu? Navy ships from Pearl Harbor could be used in an emergency, but that certainly would delay transportation of both scientists and equipment to where theyre needed.
RE: Possible relocation of HVO to Oahu - TomK - 04-05-2019
Good point.
RE: Possible relocation of HVO to Oahu - Guest - 04-05-2019
oh geez hotpie, we need to be prepared for that too ? ...as if. come on man ..please ....do you really REALLY think that will happen ? or just wanna sit and type negative for whatever reason?
bummer if it pulls the rug out for good folks here.
im more worried about whats happening on the ground presently in our own 50 than financing some fantastically fatal future fodder we have no control over anyway.
jmoz ..
RE: Possible relocation of HVO to Oahu - TomK - 04-05-2019
"oh geez hotpie, we need to be prepared for that too ? ...as if. come on man ..please ....do you really REALLY think that will happen ? or just wanna sit and type negative for whatever reason?"
Of course it could happen. It's part of HVO's job to issue aviation alerts if volcanic activity might affect the safety of flights. It's happened elsewhere in the world and could happen here.
E.g.,
http://time.com/5278771/hawaii-volcano-ash-red-alert-aviation/
"According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), a red alert means a major eruption is imminent or underway and ash could affect air traffic. It is the first time the alert has been issued since Kilauea began erupting again 12 days ago, according to Reuters."
RE: Possible relocation of HVO to Oahu - Guest - 04-05-2019
"anything" can happen too.