U.S. Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz and USGS Director David Applegate attended a ground blessing to prepare ground for a new U.S Geological Survey (USGS) facility that will monitor volcanoes and support conservation science

The facility, which will be located on the UH Hilo campus, will house the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory and the USGS Pacific Island Ecosystems Research Center.

“UH Hilo has a long and rewarding relationship with the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory and Pacific Island Ecosystems Research Center, and I am excited for the additional opportunities their presence on campus will have for research partnerships and student internships,” said UH Hilo Chancellor Bonnie D. Irwin in a statement..

The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory monitors and assesses hazards from active volcanoes and earthquakes in Hawaiʻi, providing important science for emergency managers, scientists and local communities.

The USGS Pacific Island Ecosystems Research Center conducts research to support management and conservation of biological resources in Hawaiʻi and other Pacific locations. This includes scientific studies of imperiled species, invasive species and plant diseases such as Rapid ‘Ōhi‘a Death.

Construction of the facility is estimated to be completed in late 2025.

 

Photo credit: University of Hawaiʻi