HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-05-21 Letter to Jim Reilly re importance of USGS HVO of Hawaii County twos Nom,, �Vil Okabe
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25 Aupuni Street.Suite 2603 • Hilo,Hawaii 96720 • (808)961-8211 • Fax(808)961-6553
KONA 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole 11w) ,Bldg C • Kailua-Kona,Hawaii 96740
(808)323-4444 • Fax(808)323-4440
May 21, 2019
The Honorable Jim Reilly, PHD
Director of the United States Geological Survey
USGS National Center
12201 Sunrise Valley Drive
Reston, VA 20192
Dear Dr. Reilly:
I'm writing to express the importance of the United States Geological Survey's Hawaiian
Volcanoes Observatory to the safety of Hawai'i County's people.
From the First Nation of Hawaiians to the current cosmopolitan people of this land, nowhere
else in the country have people co-existed so closely with active volcanoes. Since 1916, USGS has
been officially present on Hawaii, with the first volcanic observatory designated in America, providing
critical scientific monitoring, research and interpretation of the Hawai'i's volcanoes.
Our community has relied on HVO's scientific expertise and experience in monitoring eruptions
on Hawaii Island for more than a century, providing a sense of safety and security as HVO's
scientists guided us on how to interact with the volcanoes' activity. During the devastating Lower
East Rift Zone eruption last year, HVO's experts were indispensable in helping our Federal, State and
County responders keep our people safe.
I cannot stress enough how vital HVO's presence on our Island is. Our volcanoes remain
likely to erupt, and we appeal to you to maintain HVO operations on Hawai'i Island. Hawaiian
Volcanoes Observatory is not just a Federal program for our safety, it is part of our Hawaiian family.
Thank you for your consideration of this matter of very great importance to our community.
AI ha,
Harry Kim
MAYOR
County of Hawaii is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer