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twos Nom,, �Vil Okabe <br /> ':!7�•• d/anagrng Director <br /> RR 1JWa <br /> Harry Kim ' •ire\ "1,„ <br /> 1/ajar • _ -^s__ <br /> *O;•••••••• <br /> " Barbara J. Kossow <br /> Deputy Slanging L)free!or <br /> Con* of tttutti`t <br /> Mire of file ar <br /> 25 Aupuni Street.Suite 2603 • Hilo,Hawaii 96720 • (808)961-8211 • Fax(808)961-6553 <br /> KONA 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole 11w) ,Bldg C • Kailua-Kona,Hawaii 96740 <br /> (808)323-4444 • Fax(808)323-4440 <br /> May 21, 2019 <br /> The Honorable Jim Reilly, PHD <br /> Director of the United States Geological Survey <br /> USGS National Center <br /> 12201 Sunrise Valley Drive <br /> Reston, VA 20192 <br /> Dear Dr. Reilly: <br /> I'm writing to express the importance of the United States Geological Survey's Hawaiian <br /> Volcanoes Observatory to the safety of Hawai'i County's people. <br /> From the First Nation of Hawaiians to the current cosmopolitan people of this land, nowhere <br /> else in the country have people co-existed so closely with active volcanoes. Since 1916, USGS has <br /> been officially present on Hawaii, with the first volcanic observatory designated in America, providing <br /> critical scientific monitoring, research and interpretation of the Hawai'i's volcanoes. <br /> Our community has relied on HVO's scientific expertise and experience in monitoring eruptions <br /> on Hawaii Island for more than a century, providing a sense of safety and security as HVO's <br /> scientists guided us on how to interact with the volcanoes' activity. During the devastating Lower <br /> East Rift Zone eruption last year, HVO's experts were indispensable in helping our Federal, State and <br /> County responders keep our people safe. <br /> I cannot stress enough how vital HVO's presence on our Island is. Our volcanoes remain <br /> likely to erupt, and we appeal to you to maintain HVO operations on Hawai'i Island. Hawaiian <br /> Volcanoes Observatory is not just a Federal program for our safety, it is part of our Hawaiian family. <br /> Thank you for your consideration of this matter of very great importance to our community. <br /> AI ha, <br /> Harry Kim <br /> MAYOR <br /> County of Hawaii is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer <br />